As the nation begins to celebrate Black History Month, the O’Neill School is working to amplify Black voices within our own community. From students to faculty and alumni, the O’Neill IUPUI blog will feature guest posts throughout February discussing the individual’s research, fields of expertise, and/or experiences.
Sydney Hylton is only in her second year at O’Neill IUPUI. Yet she already has big plans. After she graduates with a Public Safety Management degree, she plans to continue her education into graduate school. That’s because she says she wants to be prepared for her future—and yours.
“My overall goal is to take part in the creation of disaster plans for any situation, ranging from man-made disasters to environmental disasters,” she says.
Sydney sees emergency planning through multiple lenses—including approaching disaster preparation and management with an eye on equity.
“I want to be the one who advocates for all people on every social level and make sure that they are protected and not abandoned during disasters,” she explains.
With a commitment to ensuring a more just, honest, and equitable future, Sydney agreed to share her thoughts, experiences, and views on a wide array of topics, in her own words: