Lastly but definitely not least, I want to welcome Jori Brewer to our illustrious sisterhood. 💕💚 If you know me, you know I LOVE my students. So, even though Jori was a freshman in the fall of 2017 and I left SLU in August 2017, just a week or so after move-in, Jori technically made the cut to be “my student” and therefore reserves all rights and privileges for my love. ☺️ Even though our time on campus together was very brief, I was drawn to Jori’s smile and sweet spirit immediately. She was a student worker in one of our departments and always had such positive energy and always gave a hundred percent.
We became friends on social media so even though I wasn’t on campus, I saw that she was securing all types of leadership roles and just doing great things.
Jori always says, “I’m so sad we missed each other!” when she hears her peers talk about our memories at SLU. But we didn’t actually miss each other; we had just enough time to connect so that we’d have the foundation we needed for this day to come. Now, she’s made it to AKA and we’re connected as sisters forever. So excited for our journey ahead! 💕💚
My Devonn is an AKA! 💕💚 Whew. As soon as I hugged this girl after the final ceremony...tears. 😩 I’m just so proud.
In the field of higher education, you have the role of helping students develop. But the ironic part about it is that they often help you develop, and Devonn has definitely done that for me.
It is totally fitting that her name is AdvoKAtor because I’ve watched her be just that in so many ways, both on campus and off. I have always been inspired by her understanding of our society and it’s system and I’ve learned so much from Devonn. Her boldness and persistence has often inspired me to pursue/demand change with this same vigor.
As women of Alpha Kappa Alpha, we are required to take action with “courage and innovation.” I know Devonn will do just that. Continue to make me proud, Soror! 💕💚
AKA story time ☺️💕💚 It all started one day a few years back when we were walking on the campus of Saint Louis University. I was headed to my office. She was headed to class. I saw her University of Kentucky hat. She saw my AKA keychain (but she didn’t tell me that then lol). A few hours later, a colleague came to my office and said “there’s a transfer student here from UK. I want you to meet her.” and in walked Briana. I was like, “hey, I saw you walking on campus earlier! I graduated from UK.” And the rest is history.
It’s been a pleasure to mentor Briana as she transitioned to SLU, and through life’s journey, in general. She is so deserving of this sisterhood and I’m so glad she made it to AKAland. 💕💚
