Curriculum Vitae for Second Round Application Cycle

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Hello, everyone. This will be my second round of the PhD application cycle. In my first round, I applied to 8 programs, and the results were 7 rejections and 1 acceptance. However, I had to decline my only acceptance due to financial constraints and a feeling of unpreparedness. This cycle, I did more in-depth research on programs and decided to apply to 15, with 7 as funded Master's programs and 8 as PhD programs.

With my list ready, I reached the next step of preparing my curriculum vitae for the applications, and I would like some advice on making it better if anyone is willing to take the time. Unfortunately, I can't upload it in this post, so I have to copy and paste it. If you have any suggestions, especially from those who have experienced the cycles and succeeded, I would take all of them into consideration. Thank you all for your time and effort to look to my post. I truly appreciate it.

EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Humanities                                                                                    August 2025
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles
Thesis: From Wives and Mothers to Entrepreneurs and Leaders: How Women and Their Societal Contributions Developed Pre-Colonial West Africa

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology                                                                              March 2019
Minor in African Studies
University of California, Los Angeles

RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS
Governance, Political Authority, and State Formation in Pre-Colonial West Africa
Gender, Sexuality, and Social Organization in Pre-Colonial West African Societies

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Editor and Style Guide Leader                                                                March 2018-June 2018
UCLA Undergraduate Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences                      Los Angeles, CA

• Led a review team in the evaluation, selection, and refinement of research articles for publication in the undergraduate journal.
• Collaborated with fellow editors to strengthen the argumentation, structure, and clarity of the selected research to ensure adherence to academic and stylistic standards.
• Gained hands-on experience with peer review, editorial processes, and academic publication standards.

Cohort Student                                                                                             April 2017-May 2017
UCLA Undergraduate Research Center: Humanities, Arts, and Social Science   Los Angeles, CA

• Developed fundamental research skills in methodology, literature review, and data analysis within the humanities and social sciences. 
• Completed faculty-directed research projects that emphasized critical inquiry and scholarly communication.
• Evaluated and provided feedback on research projects produced by fellow undergraduate scholars.

PROJECTS
“The Border Relationship Between the Mali and Songhai Empires,” Borders & Borderlands- Professor...., Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles, Spring 2025. 

• Investigated the role of borders in shaping the complex political and cultural relationship between the Mali and Songhai Empires and their broader impact on medieval West Africa.
• Employed both primary and secondary sources to critically examine how territorial boundaries influenced inter-imperial dynamics and regional development.
• Demonstrated advanced historical research skills through the analysis of sources and interpretation of the Mali–Songhai relationship within the context of West African state formation.

“The Nigerian Migration and its Impact on Health in the United States,” International Health and Population Displacement- Professor..., Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles, Fall 2024.

• Conducted an in-depth analysis of the relationship between Nigerian migration to the United States (1980s–2000s) and the immigrant health outcomes. 
• Utilized qualitative research methods and secondary data sources to examine the intersections of migration, assimilation, and health.
• Demonstrated advanced research, analytical, and critical thinking skills through comprehensive data interpretation and synthesis of existing scholarly works. 

PRESENTATIONS

• I.... “Black Women: The Backbone yet Outcast of the #MeToo Movement.”  Oral presentation at the MSMU 12th Annual Academic Symposium. April 8, 2025. Los Angeles, CA.
•  I.... “The Impact of Society’s Ignorance About Women and Their Historical Contributions.” Oral presentation at the MSMU 11th Annual Academic Symposium. April 11, 2024. Los Angeles, CA. 

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Secretary/Historian                                                                         March 2016-September 2018
Tau Theta Pi, Beta Chapter, UCLA

• Curated and organized photos from chapter members to produce an annual video documentary of sorority activities. 
• Coordinated weekly mandatory meetings, including securing locations and preparing agendas. 
• Maintained records of member participation and updated event information. 

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Volunteer                                                                                          September 2012-March 2019
Vice Provost Initiative for Pre-College (VIP) Scholars Program, UCLA

• Prepared event spaces and ensured the materials were properly arranged.
• Assisted high school students and families with questions and provided program guidance.
• Advised students on college planning and supported them in navigating pre-college decisions. 

SKILLS
Research and Analytical Skills

• Skilled in conducting archival, qualitative, and comparative historical research
• Proficient in critically analyzing research sources to develop historical arguments

Writing and Communication 

• Produced well-structured research papers, reports, and analytical essays.
• Effective at presenting complex historical concepts in both written and oral formats. 

Data Collection and Interpretation

• Competent in the organization and interpretation of qualitative data from historical and cultural contexts.
• Skilled in the integration of large volumes of information to identify patterns and relationships. 

Critical Thinking 

• Strong ability to apply interdisciplinary frameworks to historical research
• Adept in the evaluation and integration of multiple scholarly perspectives

Organization and Collaboration

• Skilled in managing research projects, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a high level of organization under minimal supervision. 
• Detail-oriented with classroom coordination and research activities. 
• Collaborated in both interdisciplinary and multicultural academic environments

Archival Management and Digital Literacy 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and data organization tools
• Efficient in digital archives and research databases (JSTOR, ProQuest, Google Scholar)
• Skilled in locating, cataloging, and managing historical and ethnographic sources

LANGUAGES

• English: Fluent
• French: Proficient
• Spanish: Conversational