Conner Maddox Pardo

Perspective is something that is unique to each person. It is something that each person, regardless of status, class, or background, is forever entitled to. Immutable truths that can, and will, change the world.

My perspective is an amalgamation of my curiosity's want to try, and do everything. There is no food I will not try, no story I will not read, and no height that is too high to jump from. While this may be misconstrued as recklessness, I believe it to be a spark that everyone has been gifted.

Recently, many of the systems that are meant to stand for us, represent us, or otherwise be an extension of us, have been made to be a blistering whirlwind that attempts to blow out our sparks, or at the very least cause us to hide its light. When presented with such aggression, we must choose to instead shine brighter, and catch that whirlwind of vitriol to fan our own flames of life and protest.

My current studies in psychology have echoed my spark of curiosity as well. I was convinced, as many in the human services profession are, that I was meant to be a therapist. However, after experiencing how we treat individuals in need of care, love, and compassion, inside of the human service profession—that is to say, horribly—I knew the path was no longer for me. While now, I do plan to be a psychology researcher, in hopes of changing the world with the addition of knowledge to humanity, there will always be a part of me that will return to advocate for those who are meant to be being helped, and are instead being left behind.

My journey forward will start with my graduation with distinction in May 2026, after which I will pursue a PhD in Cognitive Studies at New York University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. I hope to continue completing psychological research, and repairing our public health systems from the ground up, and to continue experiencing everything there is to experience, as is expected of me by my spark.

— Conner M. Pardo