Cassandra heads into her fourth year as a doctoral candidate in Education, Equity, and Transformation, focusing on STEM education. She emerges from the endearing and honorable “military brat” subculture, which grants a nomadic lifestyle, exposing her to various cultures, communities, and regions across the country. At a young age, Cassandra’s interest in STEM education influenced her pursuit of a B.S. in Geosciences with a minor in Spanish, an M.S. in Technology with an emphasis in Construction Management and attending a trade school for certification focusing on Construction Technology and Residential Construction. Cassandra’s scholarship centers on creative STEM research, shared academic and business pathways, student and faculty success, and academic labor. Following her North Star Dr. Daniel Birmingham in STEM Education, Cassandra hopes to build high-performing mutual outcomes with educational and professional partnerships to advance the STEM labor sector’s collaborative solutions, drive innovative and creative research, and strategic risk adaptations. Cassandra dances in tap and modern, along with enjoying carpentry/upholstery, writing poetry, exploring the outdoors, barbequing, and traveling. Cassandra wishes to express gratitude to her committee (Dr. Sue Doe, Dr. Diana Chen, Dr. James Folkestad), family, friends, allies, mentors, community members, colleagues, various CSU staff, and educators for supporting her to dream unapologetically.