Tell us about yourself! What does your time look like outside of OPAIR?
Outside of OPAIR I balance my available time between my academic-, professional commitments and personal wellness. My time is allocated to drafting my PhD dissertation proposal, completing academic assignments, and managing online training and curriculum reviews through my own company, Blanchard Institute for Educational Development and Research NV, located in Suriname. Lastly, I maintain a fitness routine, swimming twice weekly and visiting the gym at least once a week.
Could you share your professional background and explain how it has guided you to your role at OPAIR?
I have over 9 years of experience in higher education in Educational Development; I specialize in designing and refining quality assurance frameworks/systems, curriculum review and development and learning outcomes assessment and development, (co) writing and reviewing self-study reports, conducting faculty and student training programs and awareness initiatives. I have served in various roles such as quality assurance/accreditation coordinator, faculty member, assessment and exam committee board member and chairwoman committee study advice etc. Furthermore, I have over 10 years’ worth of experience in providing counseling to children and young adults, including survivors of domestic abuse in Suriname. In 2020 I established my own company to provide educational consulting services to business and higher education institutions. In 2022-2023 I was selected as a Hubert H. Humphrey fellow at Pennsylvania State University. Subsequently, I secured an affiliation with OPAIR and, in 2023, was able to secure a graduate assistantship at OPAIR, enabling my academic pursuit at Penn State.
What does your day-to-day as a Graduate Assistant look like?
My day-to-day life as a graduate assistant varies depending on the specific project I am assigned to assist in or conduct. These projects are for example:
Analyzing internal policy documents at Penn State, reviewing governmental policies, and developing projections and proposals to assess their potential impact on educational policy at the University. Conducting comparative analysis between Penn State and peer institutions to identify best practices and areas for improvement on different levels. Additionally, providing support for various internal group projects as needed.
Have you found any projects particularly enjoyable?
Certainly, several projects I found particularly engaging during my time as a Graduate Assistant, but the one that truly stood out was my participation in the self-study review. This task resonated deeply with me, as it aligned closely with my professional background. It was fascinating to compare the process in the U.S. context with my experience in Suriname.
What made this project especially enjoyable was the opportunity to analyze the similarities between these two educational systems. I found it intellectually stimulating to navigate the nuances of the U.S. higher education landscape at Penn State while drawing upon my expertise from Suriname. Moreover, I viewed this project as a complex puzzle that required careful assembly. Being a part of this intricate process was both challenging and rewarding. I felt a great sense of accomplishment in contributing to such a significant undertaking.
What was your experience working for OPAIR as a graduate student?
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a Graduate Assistant at OPAIR. This role allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the operational aspects of higher education in the U.S., particularly at Penn State. I was able to apply my skills and knowledge where needed, contributing to the teams’ efforts. What made this experience truly rewarding was the collaborative environment; my colleagues were not only supportive but also open-minded, always eager to learn, engage, and assist each other in personal and professional growth and delivering high-quality work.