Erica Graham
A Little About Me…
I like to say that much of my life has been the product of being in the right place at the right time. I grew up in Jamaica, Queens, New York, where I attended public schools from first through twelfth grades. Mathematics was always my favorite subject, but not because of any one particular moment. I will say, however, that I was lucky enough to not have anyone actively (to my knowledge) dissuade me from studying math. So, I just kept doing it.
As a high school junior, I somehow latched onto the idea of attending a women’s college because I thought that as a naturally shy person, it would help bring me out of my shell. I also felt I needed to be in a place where I couldn’t fall through the cracks. So, I attended Bryn Mawr College and majored in mathematics. As a senior at Bryn Mawr, I was introduced to the field of mathematical biology. After a brief hiatus, this experience fueled my graduate school search. I didn’t know anything about what it meant to be a graduate student. I didn’t know what it meant to be in academia. I didn’t know what it meant to be a mathematician. I basically just followed the waves wherever they took me, which included participating in the Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE) summer program and being part of the math biology program at the University of Utah.
In retrospect, I probably could have benefited from a bit more life planning, but when I think about my career accomplishments, I think more about the community I have gained in the process of getting to where I am. Sure, I earned my PhD, I get to work with students at my alma mater, and I have tenure. But, more often than not, when I reflect on my mathematical journey, I think about the people I’ve met, the life-long friendships I’ve made (you know who you are!), those I have mentored, and my desire to pay forward some of the same opportunities from which I have benefited. In the process—especially as a Black woman in academic and mathematical spaces—I have also learned how to be intentional in how I spend my time and energy, as I prioritize aligning the work that I do with my values and worth as a human being.