Being raised in a single- parent, first generation household has taught me to be grateful for the opportunities provided daily. My mother has instilled in me many values that I have and will use as life lessons. However, the efforts put forth by my mother do not surpass finances. Maintaining three jobs to aid in my dreams of attending college is truly selfless. The impression my mother left has inspired me to attend an all women's historically black college (HBCU), Spelman College. I hope to one day be like her; refusing to let my current circumstances define my future.
As an International Studies major and Spanish minor at an HBCU, I have come to appreciate the differences we all share [which spans farther than race]. I have chosen this field of study to better enhance my global perspective of the world, its inhabitants, and my place within it. I plan to use my bachelor’s degree to continue my education further on to law school where I will primarily focus on foreign policy. After earning my Juris Doctorate degree I hope to lend my expertise to a major international consulting firm and eventually become a political correspondent. These are big dreams of mine, but I know I will achieve them. This is ensured through my education and preparation at Spelman College. While in my undergraduate studies I have the chance to partake in many leadership experiences, extracurricular activities, and community service.
I have had the pleasure of becoming a member of the National Council of Negro Women. This organization’s mission is to uplift black women though self- love and giving back to the community. Here, I have gained experiences mainly with hunger and homelessness awareness as well as physical and mental health. Another organization I have had the pleasure of serving in is Spelman College Student Ambassadors. As a member and cabinet secretary, I have learned the meaning of servant leadership. Giving tours, leading workshops, and organizing on-campus events has helped me realize that putting others first will better my experience as a whole. It has truly been a blessing thus far to serve prospective students on the Student Ambassador Executive Board. Because of my passion for serving others, I had decided to continue my endeavors off- campus. Currently, I am a student volunteer at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site. This acts as a space where I can serve others through my knowledge of Dr. King and interact with people from all over the world. I have truly been blessed to use the time I have been given at Spelman to achieve my goals and serve others. However, much of my out-of – classroom experience has come from my internship, in which has been provided by an organization that places minorities in media based jobs.
The Emma Bowen Foundation is an organization that gives college students of color the chance to intern under the country’s top media companies. I have had the opportunity to work in Chicago, IL with Comcast in the government and external affairs division. My position as a summer intern entails working with local elected officials to initiate programs for low- income families to better the Chicago community. This will aid in my career aspirations by not only giving me knowledge and understanding but allowing me to make a small impact while continuously learning. Media makes it hard for African Americans to seemingly get ahead but does not make it impossible. The nice thing about being told “no” is it makes me work that much harder to succeed. I hope to one day be a part of the media world to begin to alter what it means to be black in America.
In addition to my efforts within the United States, I will have the opportunity to study abroad in the fall of 2016. I chose a program entitled “Social Movements and Human Rights” located in Buenos Aires, Argentina through the School of International Training (SIT). I felt that it would offer me a greater understanding of the developing world in relation to globalization. The program will allow me to immerse myself in social advocacy and history while having the chance to enhance my Spanish.
All of my endeavors are not done in vain, but so I may pay a community forward that has allowed me this privilege. I know I did not get here alone. I am a product of a life my ancestors struggled so hard to achieve. For that I express my sincerest respect and gratitude. I wish to honor them by taking the next step to continue my education. I do not aspire to be someone in the spotlight, but someone who can impact at least one person’s life. Each day I live, I strive to reach these goals.
Haleigh has continuously been high achieving inside and outside the classroom. At Spelman College, she has earned a spot on the Dean's List and the Honor Roll as well as been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society (Top 15% in her class).
In addition to her academic, Haleigh has excelled in her internship program. At this year's conference, held in New York City, NY, she received the Emma Award for Volunteerism from the Emma Bowen Foundation. This is due to her work with the voter registration in conjunction with the local Atlanta Branch of the NAACP in Ferguson, MO, and Atlanta, GA.
I am impressed by you bio. Keep up the good work. Stay strong!!
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