About a decade ago, Jared Joiner was in graduate school studying mind and brain education. At the time, he says he was keenly aware—and maybe a little envious—of his fellow students whose coursework allowed them more time to explore topics in sociology, youth empowerment, and community organizing in education. However, his own curriculum and even his career immediately after graduation didn’t allow him a lot of space to apply these ideas and frameworks in the way he really wanted to.

It’s hard to capture the fire in Alex Bernadotte’s voice when you hear her describe our country’s urgent need to reimagine higher education.

Her anger is righteous, she is impossibly sure, and it’s clear she’s undeterred by any obstacle she encounters in her fight for the young people she serves. What’s even more evident is that her clarity and fuel come from a place that is both incredibly communal and deeply personal.