Graduate Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Christine Duchouquette
Summer 2013 Archer Fellow
Internship: National School Boards Association
Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
M.P.A.; December 2013
St. Mary's University
B.A. English; May 2010
Career
Higher Education Consultant at the Education Advisory Board
Summer 2013 Archer Fellow
Internship: National School Boards Association
Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
M.P.A.; December 2013
St. Mary's University
B.A. English; May 2010
Career
Higher Education Consultant at the Education Advisory Board
“Completing this program at the graduate level allows you to hone in on major public policy areas, which for me meant learning the ins and outs of educational policy and preparation for advocacy on Capitol Hill."
Q & A with Christine
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
I am a community college consultant whose primary responsibilities are to implement change management (e.g., revising enrollment processes) and accompanying technology products at the institutions I collaborate with across the company. I work closely with high-level administrators at many different two-year institutions across the country to understand their top priorities for student success, change initiatives and strategic planning. I enjoy creating a collaborative network amongst leaders, connecting change agents across the country and moving the dial for student matriculation, persistence, and graduation one step at a time.
What has been your general career path?
I served as a Teach for America Colorado corps member immediately after college, teaching sophomore and senior English in Colorado Springs. While I attended graduate school at The University of Texas at San Antonio, I was employed full-time as a dual credit coordinator/community liaison with Northwest Vista College. My next step in the education realm led me to design and implement a new tutoring program at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). At UMCP, I learned the ins and outs of interviewing, hiring, training, and providing ongoing feedback to an undergraduate tutoring staff of about 40 peer tutors per semester.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
The Archer Fellowship experience I had in Washington, D.C., gave me the confidence and competence to pursue my dreams and maximize my personal impact in the educational policies and processes. I’ve learned that passion is not enough—you also need competencies and connections in place to accomplish your goals. As a woman and feminist, I discovered the importance of staying up-to-speed on current events and policy hot topics that affect people I love. Being an Archer Fellow shows you that intelligence and ambition should be tempered with curiosity and humility, too. To put it in Dr. Arbuckle’s words, “D.C. has more than enough show ponies. Don’t be like them. Be a workhorse.”
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
The lifelong friendships and network I've created with Archer Fellows are invaluable. Completing this program at the graduate level allows you to hone in on major public policy areas, which for me meant learning the ins and outs of educational policy and preparation for advocacy on Capitol Hill. After obtaining my M.P.A. degree, I accepted a position as a tutoring program manager at the University of Maryland (UMD). There, I was afforded the opportunity to lobby Maryland representatives on the Hill for TRiO Student Support Services and McNair funding for UMD and Maryland constituents.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
During my summer 2013 Archer Fellowship semester, I learned how to survive and thrive in Washington, D.C.! Those three short months showed me the possibilities of pursuing my dreams in the nation's capital, and eventually inspired me to make D.C. my home as soon as I finished my master's degree at UTSA. I got to know the look and feel of different neighborhoods, which helped as I moved around (a lot!) in the city and lived in NW (Columbia Heights and Takoma), SW (Waterfront), and NE (Eckington and Upper Central NE) neighborhoods.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
The most valuable lesson learned as an Archer Alumna was the impact of your voice, advocacy and money in politics. Make yourself heard and get plugged in to issues that matter to you. Because of the Archer Center, I learned to put my money where my mouth is and have since become a donor to Planned Parenthood, the American Association of University Women, Miriam's Kitchen (serving chronically homeless individuals in the D.C. metro area), and other non-profit and political organizations.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
The friendships I've made and sustained in the Archer Center Graduate Program in Public Policy all started in 2013 (shout out to Nika, Nita, Monica and Ana)! I loved our class discussions where you listened to and learned from multiple peer perspectives from a variety of backgrounds, educational training and professional experiences. The conversations I had that summer were intellectually rigorous and challenging, aiding me in understanding policy issues from legal, health, business and environmental perspectives.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Embrace every moment. I know it sounds cheesy, but the opportunity to live and learn in Washington, D.C., is life-changing and is such a privilege. I regularly participate in alumni panels to share my experiences because I want others to enjoy their time as much as I did. Be hungry for learning and seek out funding in every way possible from friends, families, scholarship offices and the Archer Center itself. Come with an open mind and be humble. I promise you won't regret it!
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
I am a community college consultant whose primary responsibilities are to implement change management (e.g., revising enrollment processes) and accompanying technology products at the institutions I collaborate with across the company. I work closely with high-level administrators at many different two-year institutions across the country to understand their top priorities for student success, change initiatives and strategic planning. I enjoy creating a collaborative network amongst leaders, connecting change agents across the country and moving the dial for student matriculation, persistence, and graduation one step at a time.
What has been your general career path?
I served as a Teach for America Colorado corps member immediately after college, teaching sophomore and senior English in Colorado Springs. While I attended graduate school at The University of Texas at San Antonio, I was employed full-time as a dual credit coordinator/community liaison with Northwest Vista College. My next step in the education realm led me to design and implement a new tutoring program at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). At UMCP, I learned the ins and outs of interviewing, hiring, training, and providing ongoing feedback to an undergraduate tutoring staff of about 40 peer tutors per semester.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
The Archer Fellowship experience I had in Washington, D.C., gave me the confidence and competence to pursue my dreams and maximize my personal impact in the educational policies and processes. I’ve learned that passion is not enough—you also need competencies and connections in place to accomplish your goals. As a woman and feminist, I discovered the importance of staying up-to-speed on current events and policy hot topics that affect people I love. Being an Archer Fellow shows you that intelligence and ambition should be tempered with curiosity and humility, too. To put it in Dr. Arbuckle’s words, “D.C. has more than enough show ponies. Don’t be like them. Be a workhorse.”
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
The lifelong friendships and network I've created with Archer Fellows are invaluable. Completing this program at the graduate level allows you to hone in on major public policy areas, which for me meant learning the ins and outs of educational policy and preparation for advocacy on Capitol Hill. After obtaining my M.P.A. degree, I accepted a position as a tutoring program manager at the University of Maryland (UMD). There, I was afforded the opportunity to lobby Maryland representatives on the Hill for TRiO Student Support Services and McNair funding for UMD and Maryland constituents.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
During my summer 2013 Archer Fellowship semester, I learned how to survive and thrive in Washington, D.C.! Those three short months showed me the possibilities of pursuing my dreams in the nation's capital, and eventually inspired me to make D.C. my home as soon as I finished my master's degree at UTSA. I got to know the look and feel of different neighborhoods, which helped as I moved around (a lot!) in the city and lived in NW (Columbia Heights and Takoma), SW (Waterfront), and NE (Eckington and Upper Central NE) neighborhoods.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
The most valuable lesson learned as an Archer Alumna was the impact of your voice, advocacy and money in politics. Make yourself heard and get plugged in to issues that matter to you. Because of the Archer Center, I learned to put my money where my mouth is and have since become a donor to Planned Parenthood, the American Association of University Women, Miriam's Kitchen (serving chronically homeless individuals in the D.C. metro area), and other non-profit and political organizations.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
The friendships I've made and sustained in the Archer Center Graduate Program in Public Policy all started in 2013 (shout out to Nika, Nita, Monica and Ana)! I loved our class discussions where you listened to and learned from multiple peer perspectives from a variety of backgrounds, educational training and professional experiences. The conversations I had that summer were intellectually rigorous and challenging, aiding me in understanding policy issues from legal, health, business and environmental perspectives.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Embrace every moment. I know it sounds cheesy, but the opportunity to live and learn in Washington, D.C., is life-changing and is such a privilege. I regularly participate in alumni panels to share my experiences because I want others to enjoy their time as much as I did. Be hungry for learning and seek out funding in every way possible from friends, families, scholarship offices and the Archer Center itself. Come with an open mind and be humble. I promise you won't regret it!
