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!