<p><span class="p-body">Shakia Rose is a veteran, entrepreneur, humanitarian, daughter, wife, and most of all a lover of people. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Bennettsville, SC, she considers herself a wonderful blend of two very different worlds.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">&quot;I owe my courage and resilience not to my own doing but to my family and church families in South Carolina, who always set the bar high and encouraged me to strive for more,&quot; she shares. &quot;Their unwavering support has been my bedrock. I wouldn't be where I am today without their support.&quot;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Professionally, Rose has served as a research manager, project manager, analyst, trainer, and liaison, with extensive experience in business management and human resources administration. She has honed her skills in gathering atmospherics, disseminating intelligence, and establishing rapport with indigenous populations. She also plays the trombone and piano.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">While working in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a Government Employee, an outsider might have seen her as quite accomplished. Looking the part is one thing, but actually feeling accomplished is another.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Being able to assess a situation or organization and invoke change has always been one of Rose's strong suits. She didn't develop a true understanding of this talent until serving as sole Liaison for a private organization, bridging the gap between the leadership in Afghanistan and stateside entities.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">&quot;I found immense satisfaction in implementing new doctrines and processes to enhance system functionality,&quot; she recalls. &quot;Upon researching NYU, I wavered between pursuing a BA in Social Sciences with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and Change program and the BA in Leadership and Management Studies. After a thorough discussion with Academic Advisor Ms. Jennifer Yuen, who patiently explained the differences and considered my life and work experience, it became clear which path I should pursue.&quot; The next day, she began preparing her application for submission to NYU SPS.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Rose describes her experience as a student as nothing short of amazing. Even though most of her program was completed online, she never felt disadvantaged or isolated. &quot;Many of my classes encouraged group work, allowing me to connect with classmates through videos, Zoom, WhatsApp, and other platforms,&quot; she explains. &quot;My Internship course allowed me to virtually attend class every two weeks, developing strong relationships with my peers.&quot;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span class="p-body">In fact, her overall experience within SPS and the&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-applied-undergraduate-studies.html" title="Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS)">Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS)</a>&nbsp;has been a life-changing journey. According to Rose, the advising staff, professors, and administrative professionals in DAUS displayed selflessness, devotion, and commitment. Furthermore, her professors challenged her to rise to the occasion of becoming a better student and business professional. &quot;The vast array of resources, coupled with the flexibility and structure of online courses, made my experience exceptionally fulfilling,&quot; she surmises.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Today, Rose has leveraged my skills as a distinguished veteran and retired staff sergeant to embark on a journey as a full-time entrepreneur. She is the CEO of Rose Alliance Transportation Company, a family-owned business. Her vision extends beyond scaling the business into a successful enterprise–she aims to provide employment opportunities to minorities and underserved communities, as well as empower women in the transportation sector.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Additionally, she owns a real estate management company and is a trained voice actor. She actually started pursuing voice acting while serving in Afghanistan back in 2020, and her goal is to be featured in a blockbuster children's animation film.</span></p>

<p>Life as an entrepreneur is like a fast-paced balancing act, says Rose. Managing time, remaining flexible, and having a constant desire to learn are crucial to success. &quot;These are the key components I took away from SPS,&quot; she intimates.</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Her journey of learning how to learn culminated in a crowning achievement—being chosen as the 2020 Convocation speaker for SPS. &quot; It is an esteemed honor that left me speechless,&quot; she reveals. &quot;Striving for academic excellence at NYU is no easy feat, but with hard work and the support of my professors, I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I am especially grateful to the SPS Dean and Associate Dean for selecting me as the Keynote Speaker for the 2024&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-applied-undergraduate-studies/alpha-sigma-lambda-honors-soceity.html" title="Alpha Lambda Induction Ceremony">Alpha Lambda Induction Ceremony</a>.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Rose is also excited to share that she now plans to continue her educational pursuits at NYU, having been accepted into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stern.nyu.edu/" title="Stern Business School">Stern Business School</a>&nbsp;this year, where she will begin classes in September.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">For aspiring journalists, educators, social workers, and beyond, pursuing a&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ba-in-social-sciences.html" title="BA in Social Sciences">BA in Social Sciences</a>&nbsp;is a powerful first step to a fulfilling career.</span></p>