Alicia English: From reporter to doctor – a journey of resilience

Award-winning social entrepreneur, children's book author, and Plainsman reporter Alicia English has obtained her professional doctorate in business administration degree from the Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) in Switzerland.

RISE offers professional higher education to individuals addressing humanitarian challenges, such as access to balanced nutrition, breathable air, clean water, renewable energy, quality education, reliable healthcare, and secure self-expression through building social ventures, community projects, academies, incubators, or accelerators.

Ms English, who matriculated from Glendale High in Rocklands in 1996, was recognised by an international jury of humanitarians and social entrepreneurs for her ability to build a viable social impact venture.

"I never imagined that I would become Dr Alicia English one day. I won't lie, doing my doctorate while working as a reporter on the Plainsman, building my business, caring for my elderly dad and sons, and being an uber mom, soccer mom, and author was not easy.

"I'm not even going to delve into the emotional challenges that came with the trauma and grief since Covid struck.

"Imagine my surprise when I was informed that I achieved 93.5% – the highest marks in the history of the institution, which earned me a Roxbourg Gold Medal recognition," she said. 

A media professional of 28 years, Ms English pivoted into writing children's stories and promoting reading comprehension among children after her husband died of Covid-19 in 2021.

That same year, she co-wrote I Miss Daddy with her now 11-year-old son, Matthew, to raise awareness about child grief.

Since then, she has written three Mitchell's Plain inspired children's books, namely Shanté and the Whale, Mahalia the Rainbow Princess and I Can.