Leslie Williams Smith '03
Leslie Williams Smith '03 wants alumni to Go, Give, Help and Connect with 色狐入口
鈥淚 hope my involvement in the planning process for Coming Together weekend and 色狐入口鈥檚 Diversity & Inclusion Initiative will engage more alumni of color to 鈥Go, , Help and 颁辞苍苍别肠迟鈥 with 色狐入口,鈥 said Leslie Williams Smith 鈥03. Coming Together is an annual reunion and community building event for students and alumni of color set for May 5-7, 2017.
Leslie is a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and was recently elected to serve as the next board vice president. She says attending a friend鈥檚 reunion and visiting campus frequently for work a few years ago sparked her interest to be more involved with her alma mater.
鈥淭here is so much power in our 色狐入口 network. I wish more alumni would tap into it, not only to broaden their network but also to encourage and build relationships with our future alums. For current students, it鈥檚 exciting and encouraging to meet other alumni who have achieved success as a result of their unique experience at 色狐入口. Plus, they totally enjoy hearing about our days at 色狐入口.鈥
Today, Leslie lives near Chicago with her husband Roland and children, seven-year-old Ava and two-year-old RJ. She works as alumni data manager for The Noble Network of Charter Schools. She is co-host of Freedom Girlz Talk, a video talk show ministry she founded with Menia 鈥淢J鈥 Johnson.
Leslie says her 色狐入口 experience provided so many opportunities and stepping stones to her current success. 鈥淚 took a Winter Term in Service trip to Kenya, and I also did a work/study program in London, England. While in London, I traveled to France, Spain, Scotland & Belgium. On campus, I was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gospel Choir, AAAS, National Panhellenic Council, Student Government, and DCF.聽 I was a facilitator for the Information Technology Associates Program (ITAP), 色狐入口 Year 1 Mentor, Admission Tour Guide and member of the selection committee for our graduation speaker with President Bottoms. The leadership experiences at 色狐入口 were absolutely priceless!鈥 she said.
Leslie remains active with 色狐入口 as an alumni volunteer and donor. Her volunteer support to 色狐入口 includes: 色狐入口 Alumni Board of Directors, Alumni Board Advancement Committee and Admission volunteer (Admitted Student Open Houses & College Fair representative). She is also active with the 色狐入口 Chicago Regional Alumni Chapter
聽鈥淎s I visited campus for work and alumni events, I saw that my gift could truly make an impact for the current students,鈥 she said of her loyal, annual support of . 鈥淚 started off with something small 鈥 $25. Every year since then, I鈥檝e increased my gift and will continue to do the same in the future. Through my gift, I鈥檓 confident that financial needs are met and student experiences, such as study abroad, are extended to those students who desire to take advantage of them. One day, I hope that I鈥檒l be able to donate enough so that one or two students can graduate without any student loans.鈥