As usually, I look for women on campus who are ding remarkable things and may not be getting the attention they deserve. This week the woman on campus I chose Dominique Drummond. Dominique is a smart. bright, cheerfully, spirit on Savannah State campus and if you continue to read you’ll find out why!
Otissia: How would you describe your college experience?
Dominique: I would describe my college experience as one that was rewarding and very insightful. I would too describe my college experience as an experience that could never be re-done. I have grown in ways that I couldn’t’t imagine upon the completion of high school, and I have realized things about myself and my peers that I know I wouldn’t have if I weren’t in college, better yet at Savannah State.
Otissia: Why did you decide to attend Savannah State University
Dominique: Lol, I chose to attend SSU originally for the miraculous NROTC program. After a couple of weeks in the program (not on scholarship), I realized that it wasn’t where my passion lied. Upon my exit from NROTC, I realized that God had something more “me” in his plans. I was sent here because I have a mission to complete as far as impacting the campus as well as Savannah Community in ways such as community service, guiding, and serving as a campus leader. I attended this university because this is where I was seen fit.
Otissia: As a senior what do you wish you could have told your freshman self?
Dominique: Lol, as a senior I wish I could have told my freshman self not to go to Southern every weekend and not be involved. I wish I could have told myself to venture out of the shell that was built around me, not one that I was necessary enclosed in. I also wish I would have told my freshman self that college was going to be what I made it and not what others (Twitter) said it would be.
Otissia: What motivates you to keep going knowing how hard college can be?
Dominique: I started smiling at this question lol, because my babies (nieces and nephews) are truly my main source of motivation through EVERYTHING. They are my WORLD and they know that “Auntie DD” does everything that she possibly can to ensure that they will be able to have everything that they need and/or want in this life. When times get hard I either go to my mentor’s office or call my babies so they can talk about how good they are doing or why they love school so much lol. It literally feels like being put on full after being on empty for so long! Rejuvenation.
Otissia: What I your favorite part about college?
Dominique: My favorite part about college is just the opportunity to be around people with the same or similar mindsets. The thousands of personalities floating around daily is like a new book I get to read whenever I’m being friendly. The campus community is so beautiful to me despite any flaw that it may have. My favorite part is knowing that whenever I am in need, I know where to go for help. Being able to sit in my mentor’s office and not having to worry about anything, too makes college amazing.
Otissia: What is your favorite memory as a freshman & senior
Dominique: Haha, surprisingly I literally met a lifetime friend in Summer 2014. We both were incoming freshmen from Miami, FL and our parents interacted and introduced us, however we were still stand offish to each other. One day we were going to dinner and we decided to go eat together and ever since then we have been great friends. This is my favorite memory as a freshman because it happened so awkwardly and to this day we laugh at it. My favorite memory as a senior ha to be becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It was a desire for so long and for God to see me fit to join and develop as a leader while developing leaders shows me that I am truly called to serve.
Otissia: What advice can you give incoming freshman?
Dominique: Some advice that I can give incoming freshmen is to stay true to thy roots!!! Never forget where you came from for it molded you for where you are going. Don’t allow your college peers to interrupt your flow of life for the negative. Remain positive and know that YOU are your biggest supporter. Nether thing is to remember to LIVE LIFE FOR YOU!!! We often live to please others, but this is our life and only we can make it how we want it to be for the rest of our lives!! Smile, be happy, and be Distinct!!!
Otissia: If you could go back and relive or redo any experience in college what would it be?
Dominique: If I could go back and relive or redo any of my college experiences, it honestly would be my first orientation as a Student Orientation leader. Though the mornings were early, and the nights were roughly late lol, it was an experience that I am forever thankful for. It taught me how to channel my inner leadership skills, it taught me to not be afraid to do something different, it too taught me to listen. That is one of my life’s most vital lessons and to this day, I would go back and do that all over again.
Otissia: Who’s your biggest inspiration?
Dominique: My biggest inspiration is the lady I love the most, Syreeta White. My mommy, my queen, my number one lady!!! I really admire the drive in her to do whatever she must do to ensure that her kids are well taken care of. Her desire to push me to be all that I want to be and her willingness to still be a close friend of mine. She inspires me to chase after what I want and WORK for it.
Otissia: What are you most proud of accomplishing in college?
Dominique: Sheesh, this is a tough one lol…I would say becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta, but it honestly must be my level of maturation since I have been here. Though people always tell me I act older than I am, there were a lot of things that I saw childish about myself. I have grown and will continue to grow. It has not been easy, but its honestly been well worth it.
Otissia: What is your major & why did you choose it?
Dominique: My major is Criminal Justice!!!! Lol, I LOVE the law and the system and to learn how it works. Since I was seven years old, I would always say I want to be a lawyer. I would watch all the shows that somewhat depicted what it would be like to work with the legalities of the law. First 48 was my favorite for a while. In high school my passion grew stronger and I would visit court houses and prisons etc. just to get the feel. Since then, I have decided that I want to practice Child Advocacy Law and will be attending Law School quite soon!!!
Otissia: What do you hope to accomplish after graduation?
Dominique: After graduation, I will work at a Juvenile Detention Center for a little over 6 months and then I will be attending Law School. The school in which I have chosen will reveal itself post-graduation.
Otissia: What are three fun facts you would like for our readers to know about you?
Dominique: Lol…ummm I’m extremely inquisitive so I ask a lot of questions! I have a lot of knowledge about almost any topic of conversation and I’m OBSESSED with giraffes!!!
Otissia: If you could change one thing about your college career what would it be?
Dominique: It would be Spring 2015. Its where I earned my first letter grade of a C and it hurt me to the core. I would have focused more in those classes and went to them rather than go when I felt like it.
Otissia: How important is a college education to you?
Dominique: It is one of the most important things to me. I am a first-generation college student, so I have people looking up to me to secure my degree. This lets me know that I am serving as an example to billions of people around the world who may be hesitant to be the first in their families to go out and obtain a degree. It’s one of my top priorities.
Otissia: What are you looking forward to for the upcoming year?
Dominique: I’m looking forward to two things. My very last undergraduate homecoming which is about to be LIT!!!!!! Lol, and an early Graduation!!! Catch me in Tiger Arena, December 9,2017 at 9:00 AM!!!