Black History Month for the Past, Present, and Future: A WSU Global Campus Alum Makes Her Voice Heard

When she first began her academic journey, Caressa Long, a WSU Global Campus alum, had an epiphany that changed the course of her life.

“While I was in community college, a student activist approached me and asked if I knew the Bill of Rights. I stumbled through the first five and realized that I didn’t know them fully,” she said. “It was that interaction that prompted me to switch my major to political science.”

It dawned on Caressa that government had a huge effect of society. That’s when she decided that she wanted to learn how to use policy to make the world better for all.

Caressa became became determined to make her mark on the world by working in government. As a woman of color and a military spouse, she knew she would face challenges in achieving her goals. But her first step was earning her degree in political science.

“My education has always been important and continues to be,” she said. “It’s helped me advance in my field and break the stigma often associated with being a military spouse.”

While traveling around the world with her husband, an active-duty military member, Caressa diligently pursued her degree in political science fully online through WSU Global Campus.

She thrived as an online student, finding community among her fellow Global Campus Cougs and even working as a student ambassador.

After graduating in 2021, Caressa took a position in Public Affairs at the Environmental Protection Agency, fulfilling her dream of working in government. According to her, she drew a lot of inspiration from the Black women who came before her.

“I cannot reiterate how important it is to see yourself in the spaces you wish to be in,” said. “When I was younger, Shirley Chisholm and Condoleezza Rice were the only Black women in government who were often highlighted during Black History Month. Since then, however, so many more women have achieved incredible things in these spaces, including Angela Davis, Maxine Waters, Michelle Obama, and our first female Vice President, Kamala Harris.”

“These women have paved the way for me to freely walk into these spaces and thrive. However, that is not to say you shouldn’t aspire to be in a space where you don’t see people like yourself. Kick the door down and take a seat at the table and bring others along with you!”

Caressa says she continues to be inspired by women like her who make their voices heard in their fields.

“There are countless Black historical figures who have inspired me to keep pursuing my dreams. It’s hard to pick just one,” she said. “There are so many Black people making history today, especially Black women in tech and government.”

According to Caressa, recognizing Black History Month is an important way to recognize the achievements of Black people who have worked to bring progress to where it is today.

“To me, Black History Month means celebration,” she said. “My ancestors are living through me. I am my grandmother’s dream manifested. And that is worth celebrating.”

However, she also believes Black History Month should bring attention to Black voices of the present and the future.

“I want my fellow Cougs to know that Black history is being made every day,” she said. “Looking to the past is great for inspiration. But let us all take a moment to recognize those who are impacting our present and futures, like Majora Carter, Dr. Robert Bullard, and Mikaela Loach. It’s contributions like theirs that will make the Black history of tomorrow.”