Class of 2018: Social work graduate will be youth advocate
Blaire D. Gray-Harrison will be the student speaker at the Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. She is graduating with a B.A. in Social Work with a minor in Spanish.
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
High School: Hamilton Township High School
What’s next?
I will be working while earning a graduate degree in the School of Social Work here at UA, then moving to Texas to begin my career.
Q: Best advice you ever got from a professor?
A: There are no coincidences, everything happens for a reason! Remember, there is a reason you are where you’re at!
Q: Favorite campus activity?
A: Volunteering and being part of different organizations. Meeting new people, getting involved and gaining new experiences.
Q: How have you changed during your years at UA?
A: I have matured. When I started, I had bad time management and organization skills. Life was all about partying. Fast forward, and now I rarely party, my grades are good, and I have enjoyed many great opportunities as a result.
Q: If you had an internship or co-op, what did you get out of it?
A: I completed my internship with the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP). I enjoyed working alongside the employees and with the clients. I was able to apply classroom knowledge to the real world. I learned and experienced so much in one year. The moment that stuck out to me was at a luncheon with the founder and hearing his story, and the reason for starting NYAP. I support the mission. My experience with this agency was amazing!
Q: What’s your advice to incoming freshmen?
A: Have fun and live life, but stay true to yourself and remember the end goal — graduate and obtain your degree!