Cece Ramsey is a PhD student in the department of French and Italian. In her research and writing, she is interested in book history, particularly in the ways that books are printed, read and received in translation. After gaining some experience in the world of publishing by working at a literary agency, Cece returned to the classroom where she has been teaching and researching literature ever since. She earned her M.A. in literary translation from NYU.

Several years ago, I taught two semesters of French inside a women's prison and it left a profound impact on me. The things I witnessed and the people I met and the stories I heard have forever fueled my desire to provide greater access to education to those who are currently incarcerated. When I saw the Social Impact Fellowship with Freedom Reads, an organization that is building libraries inside prisons, I jumped at the opportunity to be part of a powerful mission that is placing books into the hands of those who are incarcerated. Through the fellowship, I've been able to expand my skillset all while gaining valuable insights into the world of non-profit organizations, advocacy, and publishing. I was also invited to take part in several exciting initiatives, like launching the first ever Inside Prize, a literary prize awarded by a jury of readers who are currently incarcerated. Most importantly, the fellowship has given me the opportunity to work with an incredibly talented team and to learn from their experiences, both personally and professionally.

I joined the GradFUTURES Shape Your PhD Cohort in my first year, and this past year I participated in the American Higher Education Learning Cohort, which I highly recommend.