Mikayla Bowen

Mikayla Bowen spent most of her life in Michigan, which is perhaps the very reason she desired to see more of the world. Mikayla attended Michigan State University for her undergraduate studies, specializing in Social Sciences and Secondary Education. Education is what drew her to social justice issues, as she saw how schools perpetuate systems of oppression. After two years of teaching in the United States, she knew it was time for a change and joined the Peace Corps. She served as an education volunteer in South Africa. While her primary focus was teaching English to grade 6 and 7 learners, her favorite moments occurred outside the classroom. Her proudest accomplishment was applying for a Let Girls Learn grant, through which she was able to host a workshop on challenging gender norms. The workshop brought together stakeholders from diverse organizations, including the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Department of Basic Education, and rural schools, clinics, and non-profit organizations. She also cherished the time she spent teaching literacy to grade 1 students and simply enjoying being welcomed as a true member of her host family and community. Mikayla's experiences in South Africa have taught her cultural humility and have inspired her to pursue community organizing in her career as a social worker.