Mercy Bell (CSRE '12)

What and when did you study at CCSRE?
2008-2012, CSRE - Education Focus

What are you doing now?
I am a leadership coach and founder of ColorUp.org - an organization that matches professionals of color with leadership coaches committed to the work of diversity and inclusion.

How do you feel your experiences at CCSRE shaped your life afterwards?
I was drawn to coaching's similarities to CSRE: its interdisciplinary foundation, uplifting community, and impact on people. Above all else, coaching empowers individuals to identify, address, and shift their contexts without telling them what to do. All of this reminds me of the best parts of my CSRE journey. My experience of the CCSRE set the tone for the rest of my career. I was drawn to fields that offered autonomy, flexibility, community, exploration, and above all else - a place where I could make a meaningful contribution in the area of diversity and inclusion.

What are your favorite memories/experiences of CCSRE?
Definitely walking into the CCSRE for a coffee and chat with my advisor. There were so many informal conversations that helped guide me along the way!

What do you miss most about CCSRE?
The people in it! It was an inviting space, but above all else, there was so much warmth and openness from the team.

What wisdom would you like to share with current students?
Take a class that scares the living daylights out of you.