Hattie Mitchell EdD ’17 opened Crete Academy in South Los Angeles in September 2017, mere months after completing the USC Rossier Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program. Her goal was to meet the needs of children from families experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty.
Hattie’s vision was forged by her early life experiences. Growing up, her family didn’t always have enough money to cover basic necessities, so she understands the effect poverty can have on success in school. “I know what some of these kids are going through,” she said. “I have taken cold showers, opened up rotten milk cartons and had my power shut off.”
“Were it not for the discipline and structured writing a dissertation requires, I wouldn’t have been able to produce my charter petition,” Mitchell said. “I believe USC Rossier gave me the tools, resources and where with all to produce a petition that was approved unanimously by the LAUSD.”
