Ingrid M. Griffith

As an immigrant, I knew that getting a higher education was important. It was instilled in me growing up in Guyana, my homeland. My parents made a lot of sacrifices for our family to come to the US; one main reason for leaving Guyana was that the US had more opportunities. Earning a college degree was a step I could not miss. I chose CCNY because of its convenience and affordability. It was also important that the college I attend had high standards and would prepare me to hold my own in this competitive world. The standards the professors at CCNY instilled were helpful. The professors were inspiring individuals with interesting backgrounds and endeavors; their classes were dynamic. There were three or four professors that I can think of off the top of my head who were very influential in how I saw and applied myself. They encouraged and supported me to keep learning. My BA and master's in creative writing both contributed to my becoming a performer, playwright, and adjunct professor. After earning my master's, I decided to write my story about a Guyanese girl and her family's immigrant experience in the US. It evolved into a successful solo show that I'd been touring internationally until the pandemic hit. CCNY gave me the foundation and skills in the fields I'm pursuing. My experience at CCNY has been important in helping me reach my full potential, which I'm still pushing towards as I continue learning and growing.