Membership Spotlight: Shelaun Williams

Q: What inspired you to attend Clark Atlanta University (CC, AU, or CAU, and how did your time there shape who you are today?

A: For me, attending an HBCU was never really a question. I grew up in Fort Valley, a town with an HBCU at its heart, so I was raised in that culture long before I ever set foot on a college campus. The homecomings, the marching band, the sense of pride and community: that was just part of life. When it came time to choose a school, I didn't look anywhere else, because I already knew where I belonged.

Q: Can you share a memorable experience or tradition from your time at CAU that still resonates with you?

A: When think back to the start of my years at CAU, I still smile when I think of the step show when individual dorm step teams competed against each other. Though the competition was intense (as well as the trash talk :-)), the bond those moments created were magical and ensured this Merner Queen maintained a lifelong connection to my first home away from home.

Q: How has being part of the CAU alumni network, especially in the Carolinas, impacted your personal or professional journey?

A: The CAU alumni network has allowed me to meet and connect with other Panthers here in the Carolinas, while also learning more about opportunities for us to continue to support the school and its students.

Q: What advice would you give to current CAU students or recent graduates navigating life after college?

A: It may sound simple, even a little cliché, but my answer would have to be "Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff." When I look back over my life, so many of the challenges that felt huge in the moment turned out to be small in the bigger picture. So I'd say focus on finding peace within yourself, no matter what life looks like around you. It ALWAYS works out in the end.