Tracy Koske wears a traditional headdress and cape. The headdress is beaded and hangs down in a single strand from her forehead draping around her eyes and back up to the headband. Her cape is red and decorated with hanging silver medallions. She stands talking to a man in a blue plaid shirt. We see the back of his head and his body is angled toward her in conversation.
Tracy Koske (Kenya, 2022) engages in conversation at an event welcoming her and her cohort to the UC Davis campus on June 22, 2022. (TJ Usher/UC Davis)

Meet Tracy Koske, 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow

Tracy Koske

What motivates you? 

About Tracy Koske

Pronouns: she/hers

Country: Kenya

Occupation: Policy Officer

Field: I advocate for early childhood education and childcare in the analysis, review, and development of policies. I also work with women running childcare facilities in informal settlements. I support the mobilization and organizing of women.

Learn more about Tracy

I'm most motivated when I complete a task, tasks that have an impact on a child's access to education, health and other amenities and opportunities. I ensure that any project that I handle is managed efficiently. My family also motivates me to do my best and not be mediocre.

What drew you to your professional field?

I have always been drawn to service roles, but this is the first time that I get to work and fight for the rights of children. A large number of children lack access to quality education and childcare. Unfortunately, there are numerous substandard projects designed to solve this problem. I envision a world where projects are outcome-oriented and ensure that they have the best interest of a child first.

What is something from your country that you would like to share with the UC Davis community?

Kenyans are a vibrant lot with a diverse culture drawn from more than 47 tribes that call Kenya home. With me, I bring an infusion of the majority of urban culture. Professionally, I have a background in teaching, operations, project and relationship management, and policy analysis.

How would you like to engage with UC Davis and the community here?

I would like to experience the community at large, especially children in need of care, and the elderly. I would also love to gain new experiences in engaging with the community and partnership ideas while trying out the diverse food and culture within the city of Davis.


 

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