Dominican Samantha J. Julien has become the first in her family and one of the few Dominicans to earn a PhD at the University of Arkansas’ Fayetteville campus. Dr. Julien hails from the community of Newtown and is the daughter of “Ras” Greg Julien from Newtown and Theresa Laurent of Tete Morne in Grand Bay. She was raised by her paternal grandmother the late Ena Walsh (who she credits for her tenacity and long-term goals of pursuing a tertiary education) alongside others, including aunts Eartha, Tonia, Sharmila, Deirdre, Josephine Alie and uncle Burl as well as a number of close cousins.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in both Spanish and International Relations and graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors, she worked briefly as a bilingual education teacher in the Mesquite Independent School District in Texas. A short time after, Julien decided to pursue a master’s degree in Human Resource Development in the field of education from Midwestern State University. She then moved on to undertake doctoral studies in the field of Public Policy with an emphasis on education policy.
Dr. Julien began her doctoral studies in the fall of 2013 but coupled with the challenges of motherhood and the rigors of research, she was only finally able to defend her dissertation in March of 2019 and subsequently graduated on May 11, of the same year. Under the guidance of co-chairs Dr. Felicia Lincoln, Dr. Tom Smith and mentor Dr. Charlene Johnson-Carter, Dr. Julien’s research focused on issues related to the education of English Language Learners and how a dearth of teachers of color affects their learning potential in which Critical Race Theory and Latino Critical Race Theory were used as the theoretical frameworks. With this degree, Dr. Julien hopes to do further research in the field of education or to work in any capacity which could afford her the opportunity to utilize her skills and knowledge.
Her journey from the St. Martin’s School and the Convent High School was not always outstanding in the sense of academia but she acknowledges the gift of second chances. She understands that when one is given new opportunities, one must fight with all his/her might and work to the best of his/her God-given abilities. Dr. Julien, because of her insistence to succeed, was awarded as the Outstanding Student in her major in the Prothro-Yeager College in the spring of 2007.
It is her hope to inspire others, not only from the community of Newtown, but in Dominica as a whole and encourage them to never give up.
“There is always a light at the end of the tunnel even when we do not see it. We must, however, keep pushing until we get to the place that we desire to. In the words of famous actress Lupita Nyong’o, ‘No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid,’ Julien states.
Dr. Julien wishes to thank her husband Kerry and son Kaiden for their patience and for simply being there, and her mother Theresa Laurent for the constant prayers and support, her sister Emilia Geraldine Sambar, Uncle Lionel Laurent, aunt Rosie Laurent, the Julien family, members of the community of Newtown including the Shillingford family including Vanessa, Nicole and Ma Owen, Cynthia Panthier, friends like Clem Havre and Edina Darwton, Dr. Cyril Robinson, John-Baptiste “Holday” John, Neal Benjamin, Muriel Guiste-Stuart, Francisca Zisca Florent, Gizelle Simpson-Eloi, Jodi Simeon, Kendra Fagan, and cousins including Glenn Ducreay, Davidson Julien, Tamara Julien and Sharline Laurent for their love and encouragement along this grand journey!
Congratulations Samantha, you sure did well. Bro.Ras Gregz positive vibes.
Congratulations Samantha. You were always a determined young lady. Really very happy to read of your achievements. An inspiration to many Dr Julien. Well deserved.
Brilliant! Keep making DOMINICA shine!
Another one for them, from an authentic HARLEMER. Collectively we are profoundly elevated by your achievements. Yes, a ‘true’ DOC, and guess what? In Public Policy with an interest in EDUCATION. PERFECT!
HOO- RAY-Y-Y-Y!!!!
Cheers, Sammy!
From an aspiring community colleague
What a remarkable achievement, Dr. Samantha Julien. I recognized the name immediately, but it took a few minutes to recall your face and your smile. You were one of my CHS students back in the 90’s. Sincere congratulations and may the Almighty continue to bless you.
Congratulations Dr. Julien! Your hard work, perseverance and sacrifice have propelled you to admirable, academic heights.
Keep reaching for the sky in all that you. I wish you peace, prosperity and success in your current and future endeavors.
hmmm this one not coming back to dominica… research, i guess all those degrees must have been a government scholarship….. i do hope she give back to the community. but again it seem she got married while at study… we go see. someone let me know when she come back to make our education system better.
Get out of here with your ignorant talk!!!!!!!!
UNAPOLOGETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats young lady wish you all the best in your endeavors
Yeah!!!!!! Congrats Dr. Julien!!!!!
Congrats, i am so happy for you and your family!!!!!
A pleasure to have you back home to help, assist in the meaningful development of our nature isle, Dominica. Your contribution and expertise will be recognised and welcomes, also appreciated. keep up the good work, stay focus and understand the nature of our poverty environment that our people one way or the other are elevated to a higher level of intellectualism, education, decency and respect for our professionals, like yourself. There are strong challenges in Dominica and many of our family and people are in dep poverty, therefore we are this poverty stricken island that has deteriorated over the past 19 years. we are broken with a failed labour government. We need our academics not to run away due to the incompetence of this government as far as complimentary resources are concerned and opportunities to be able to practice that prestigious skill that you have earned and achieved. Much congratulations to you and your proud family. Gods guidance and I wish you all the best. God…
Real doctor julien I must say how proud I am of you.women have a joke saying “my hair I buy” when they put on braids. Well it have a man in Dominica who can make joke and say ” my doctor i buy”
Congratulations Sami. Well done.
Outstanding!!!!
Blessings and Congratulations to you Dr. The whole island is proud of you. You are a positive inspiration to all young and not so young students. Keep reaching.. the journey continues.
Awesome job young lady. Congratulations.
So proud of her! You did it! Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment!
Congratulations Samantha!!
Well done!!
Congratulations another real doctor. Not the overnight one that gee Joseph and melo mills are on their knees worshipping
Well done young lady!!!
Congratulations. Well done.
Congratulations to her. Well done.
Congratulations Dr Julien