Brooke’s path to social work took nearly seven years. After the dot.com bubble burst, she joined the New York City Teaching Fellows program.

“I found that the classroom was a bit challenging. Our students had a lot of school and family issues, and we were not doing anything holistic to help them. I eventually left to work in a settlement house that had just received a Department of Education community technology grant. The executive director had a law degree, and she felt that it was helpful. Since most of her staff were social workers, she also thought a dual degree might be worth exploring.”

“I knew people who went to Washington University as undergraduates. They had a wonderful experience, so when I began my graduate school search, I naturally looked at the University. The Brown School gives me a tailored academic package that I didn’t really know existed.”

Brooke is currently completing her foundation practicum at the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri.