蜜芽TV

by Ela Schwartz

Growing up in the Soviet Union, Elmira Brown 鈥�14 dreamed of becoming a doctor. Political upheaval changed that.

As a member of the Tajik minority in what is now Uzbekistan, she found herself unable to enroll in medical school, even though her father was a doctor.

鈥淢y dream was ruined,鈥� she said. Undeterred, she moved to the United States in 2000. 鈥淚 could barely speak English, much less read or write. But I had a huge life in front of me and a dream of education and opportunities.鈥�

Over the years, she worked in a medical office and a psychiatric hospital and at . At , she carried out clinical research on a national children鈥檚 study, where she learned about diversity in populations and how minorities are often underrepresented. She said she fell in love with clinical research because 鈥渨e are trying to change the system and make a difference.鈥�

Although she was progressing in her career, Brown refused to give up on pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree. She took classes in community college but wasn鈥檛 satisfied with the education she was receiving.

鈥淭he professor tells you what to do鈥攏o explanation,鈥� she said. Then an acquaintance told her about Adelphi. 鈥淪he said it鈥檚 intensive, the professors are great and I would learn a lot.鈥�

Brown decided to enroll in , even though her second child was due any day.

鈥淚 missed the first class because I was in labor,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he next week, [Senior Adjunct Faculty Gregory] Canell asked why I was out. I told him, 鈥業 tried to come, but I had just given birth.鈥� He said, 鈥業f there was a picture in the dictionary next to the word dedication, it would be of you.鈥欌��

Raising two children while taking classes wasn鈥檛 easy.

鈥淚鈥檇 be typing papers with one hand and holding my baby with the other,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut whenever I felt I couldn鈥檛 do it, I鈥檇 picture his [Canell’s] face.鈥�

Her professors were taking note of her progress and abilities and encouraged her to further her education after obtaining her . , referred her to the program, and , provided her with a letter of reference. And, she said, her parents were always there to offer their help and support, even though they were still in Uzbekistan.

She never entertained the possibility of enrolling in graduate school anywhere else but Adelphi. Even the hour-long drive from Staten Island didn鈥檛 faze her.

鈥淚 had such great professors,鈥� she noted, adding, 鈥淚 learned so much at Adelphi, and all my classes are relevant.鈥�

So far she is finding the M.P.H. program 鈥渂eyond my expectations.鈥� And her 12-year-old daughter, who sometimes joins her on those long car rides, 鈥渟ays the campus is so pretty and calm, and she loves the bunnies,鈥� Brown said, laughing. 鈥淪he鈥檚 telling me she wants to go to Adelphi for college.鈥�

Perhaps one day her daughter will also overcome obstacles to attain her dreams, just as her mother is doing.

鈥淭oday I can look back,鈥� Brown said, 鈥渁nd say鈥攁s an immigrant, without knowing the language or having connections鈥擨 did it.鈥�