老司机福利社

鈥淚 hope my involvement in the planning process for Coming Together weekend and 老司机福利社鈥檚 Diversity & Inclusion Initiative will engage more alumni of color to 鈥�Go, , Help and 颁辞苍苍别肠迟鈥� with 老司机福利社,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 老司机福利社 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 老司机福利社. Plus, they totally enjoy hearing about our days at 老司机福利社.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 老司机福利社 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), 老司机福利社 Year 1 Mentor, Admission Tour Guide and member of the selection committee for our graduation speaker with President Bottoms. The leadership experiences at 老司机福利社 were absolutely priceless!鈥� she said.

Leslie remains active with 老司机福利社 as an alumni volunteer and donor. Her volunteer support to 老司机福利社 includes: 老司机福利社 Alumni Board of Directors, Alumni Board Advancement Committee and Admission volunteer (Admitted Student Open Houses & College Fair representative). She is also active with the 老司机福利社 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�