The Road Less Traveled: Overcoming Early Obstacles

Taran Cross’s path to academic success was far from conventional. After initially dropping out of college in 2008, he embarked on a career in healthcare technology, eventually rising to the position of vice president at a Medford-based company.

Despite his professional achievements, Cross felt a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential. I dreamed of going to Oxford as a kid and, around 2018, I started having these profound feelings of regret that I hadn’t been the sort of person who could accomplish those dreams, Cross said. I felt like the opportunities of my life had passed me by and, despite having a accomplished career, that I had squandered my potential.

A Second Chance: Embracing Education and New Opportunities

Driven by a desire to challenge his perceived limitations, Cross decided to return to academia. He enrolled in the Innovation and Leadership Program, an accelerated bachelor’s degree program designed for working professionals. This program focuses on developing skills in areas such as:

• Organizational Leadership
• Project Management
• Systems Thinking
• communication
• Emerging Media
• Data Management

Applying to SOU was my way of rejecting that negative thinking, Cross explained. I decided that I wasn’t going to let the failures of my past define me, and live the rest of my life with regret. If I wanted to go to Oxford, I was the only person who could stop me.

Finding Passion in History: A Transformative Experience

While the Innovation and leadership Program provided a structured pathway, it was a history class that ignited Cross’s true passion.

I didn’t anticipate how much I would love that class or the process of examining historical sources. Professor (Sean) McEnroe’s love of history is genuinely infectious, and I quickly realized that this is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Taran Cross

Inspired, Cross pursued a second bachelor’s degree in History, alongside Innovation and Leadership. He credits a class on the Global History of Slavery with shifting his viewpoint and interests toward subaltern studies, focusing on the stories of marginalized communities.

Cross also developed a keen interest in historiography, the study of how history is writen.One of the main things I find exciting about pursuing history as a career is participating in these debates and making a serious contribution to the historiography, he said.

Dream Realized: Acceptance to Oxford University

After graduating summa cum laude with two bachelor’s degrees, Cross applied to a master’s degree program in history at Oxford University. Despite his initial doubts, he was accepted.

I didn’t often tell people that was my goal while at SOU because, even to me, it seemed far-fetched.It honestly felt almost silly to articulate. How could a former college dropout be accepted to the best university in the world?
Taran Cross

The news of his acceptance was met with overwhelming emotion. I was actually in a work meeting when the email came in, and had to excuse myself to leap around my office in joy and legitimately cry with happiness, Cross recalled. I was so emotional, both because this is such an unbelievable opportunity and because I proved to myself that I am capable of accomplishing my dreams.

Looking Ahead: Future Research and Personal Milestones

Cross plans to pursue a doctorate in history at Oxford, focusing his research on British colonialism in the Caribbean, especially the experiences of the African community and slavery.

His journey to Oxford will be shared with his partner, Hayley Dixon, and their dog, Gus. I’m getting married later this summer to my loving and supportive partner, Hayley Dixon, who will be joining me in Oxford along with our fantastic, goofball dog, Gus, Cross said.