Graduate Mentor

Christina Smiley

To those who will come after me:

“No man is an island entire of itself.”

John Donne

Night falls. The rest I crave never comes easily. Staring into the darkness, my scrambled, sleep-deprived mind wanders. I consider just how different life could be. If I stayed in that small country town, would I be happy? Satisfied? Fulfilled? Would—A calmness overtakes me as I, snuggled under my emerald green blanket, become amazed by how different my aspirations are now; I attribute this to music. Music led me to college and prompted me to continue my studies, hoping to inspire students who may (or may not) identify with offshoots of my intersectionality. During my undergraduate years, I overcame internal and external struggles. I thought I was not smart enough, lacked support from loved ones, and barely made ends meet financially. Yet my educational journey has taught me that I am capable of anything I set my mind to, and most importantly, I am not alone. My research interests relate directly to my unique experiences as a Black woman who grew up in a fundamentalist organization. Ultimately, I strive to invest in a path that helps others, believing my future vocation will challenge and further scholarship on music, race, and religion. For me, Washington University has provided resources and a community of students and faculty who support my research journey. Most importantly, my program allows for my inquisitive nature to thrive.

If I could offer advice to those who will come after me, it would be to:

1. Find communities that challenge and support you.

2. Create close, authentic relationships with those who have gone before you.

3. Take note of your personal progress (don’t compare yourself to others).

4. Always remember your “why.”

Perhaps this advice is self-explanatory and simple, yet I cannot overstate its importance in my journey thus far. Charting a new path is both exhilarating and terrifying; I have often felt like I am standing between worlds, but a healthy balance between selfdetermination and a community is paramount for success.