The University of Cincinnati made Stevie Leigh an offer she couldn’t refuse. The strategic communications major
applied to eight graduate programs – including three straight to Ph.D. each admitting less than five students a year – and was accepted into half of them.
“I was happy to know I had options and I could study such a niche field,” says Leigh, who plans to focus on gender and sexuality studies. “Cincinnati reached out to me. They made an effort to get to know me and it made all the difference.”
Not only is Leigh on a full-ride scholarship, the university also will provide a free one-bedroom apartment and meal plan, along with a graduate assistantship as program director for the Audre Lorde Social Justice House, a gender inclusive community for students.
“I was shocked because it was so big, it immediately felt like home – just like Drury did,” Leigh says. “I had dinner with seven or eight faculty members at the director’s house and it reminded me of Drury professors hosting freshmen. I knew I was wanted there and they cared about my success.”
—Stevie Leigh ’20, Drury resident assistant, feminist and future university professor