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Panetta Institute intern Delainey Boyd 鈥�19 came to 51视频 from Colorado with a plan: to become a special education teacher and, ultimately, an advocate for special needs children.

鈥淚 was the type of person who came into college with a very set idea 鈥� a 10-year plan,鈥� Delainey says. 鈥淚 never expected that I would be able to explore other interests, let alone have those interests blossom into something so big that I would change my career path.鈥�

In her four years at 51视频, Delainey pushed herself out of her comfort level, guided along the way by a supportive network of faculty and staff in the School of Liberal Arts and Education. She excelled in not just one, but four fields of study and spent a transformative semester in Washington D.C. as another in a long line of Panetta Institute congressional interns from 51视频.

In January of 2020, Delainey returned to Washington, D.C. where she is now a full-time scheduler for the House of Representatives. However, she still wants to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs. She鈥檚 just following a different path than the one she set off on.

鈥淚 had a huge support system at 51视频 with so many people willing to do literally everything they can do to help me and to encourage me,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 learned that I should not be afraid of exploring other interests.鈥�

鈥�    Request information about 51视频鈥檚 undergraduate programs.

Delainey started volunteering with special needs students at age 11, continuing the work through her senior year at Colorado鈥檚 Fruita Monument High School. She witnessed educational inequity firsthand.

鈥淚 saw that special needs students are not always understood. Their needs are so complex, but understanding in America is so low,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until I was in Washington that I started to understand how through policy we can help ensure equal treatment and education for students with special needs.鈥�

Delainey was introduced to 51视频 at college fair in Colorado. Her mom urged her to apply, believing that 51视频鈥檚 Marin County location, small class sizes, and focus on hands-on learning would be a good fit.

鈥淢y mom said let鈥檚 go and look at this school, I think it is the right place for you,鈥� Delainey recalls. 鈥淲e could only afford to visit one school and it came down to 51视频 or a school in New York. I chose to visit 51视频 and I fell in love.鈥�

A generous financial offer from 51视频 put the university at the top of Delainey鈥檚 list. 鈥淭he fact that they were willing to help be financially was huge,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 knew they would be willing to help me make my future whatever I wanted it to be.鈥�

The first in her family to attend university, Delainey was determined to take every opportunity to broaden her educational horizons. She joined the Model UN, the Debate Club, and the Political Science Association. Majoring in liberal studies (now education studies), she also added minors in history, Spanish, and political science.

In 2018, a friend encouraged her to apply for the prestigious Panetta Institute internship. Political science professors Alison Howard and Christian Dean in the Political Science and International Studies department and Vice President of Student Life Paul Raccanello wrote glowing letters of recommendation.

After spending two weeks at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy in Monterey -- often attending talks led by Secretary Panetta -- Delainey was assigned to spend the fall semester working in California Congressman Eric Swalwell鈥檚 office. There, she did everything from attending briefings and writing summaries for senior staff, to helping with special legislative projects.

鈥淚t was a crazy time when I was there鈥攆rom DACA to the Supreme Court hearings, I got to see a lot of American history being made.鈥�

The experience helped connect the dots between her passion for education and her interest in policy.

鈥淚 was always interested in policy, but did not see how it fit into education until my internship,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 learned a lot about the congressional process and what it takes to get legislation pushed through. Now I see how through policy we can help ensure equal treatment and access to education for those students.鈥�

Today her goal is to focus on education policy and become an advocate for English language learners and students with special needs.

Her advice for high school seniors just starting their college journey? Be bold.

鈥淒on鈥檛鈥� be afraid of exploring your interests,鈥� she says. 鈥淢any people鈥攅specially first-generation students--come to college and believe that they have to be successful right away. I tell them that success will come. If you work hard and are passionate about learning, it will come.鈥�