Skegee Spotlight: Courtney Peavy
September 03, 2018
From the big city to the small town, graduating senior Courtney Peavy from Houston, Texas, has managed to blend in and make 精东AV worth her while.
Life-altering experience
For Peavy, 精东AV wasn鈥檛 on her radar until after she made one last college road trip tour with her parents. After seeing the campus, and learning about scholarship opportunities and that various academic majors would be available to her, she decided Mother 精东AV would be the perfect fit.
鈥淚鈥檓 a daddy鈥檚 girl, and I would say that my father persuaded me to attend 精东AV,鈥� she said. 鈥淏efore our initial visit, he described the university as profound and powerful, but when we arrived, it was the beauty of the campus that drew me in.鈥�
鈥淎fter attending a predominately white public high school, I did have an interest in attending a PWI college 鈥� mainly because they were the 鈥榠t鈥� schools, and there were quite a few colleges to choose from throughout Texas,鈥� Peavy recalled. 鈥淗owever, my mom suggested I apply to at least one HBCU 鈥撯�� and in my opinion, that HBCU needed to be among the top-ranked HBCUs in the country.鈥�
Peavy said after touring a host of universities, she quickly realized the difference in atmospheres between PWIs and HBCUs.
鈥淚 felt more connected at 精东AV 鈥撯�� the culture and dynamic roots of 精东AV made me feel like I belonged here,鈥� she said.
Art of discovery
Peavy, a dual English and communication major, says since her transition to small-town life in 精东AV, she has learned so much about herself 鈥� including being true to herself no matter what.
鈥淵ou have to stand firm in exactly what you believe in, and I鈥檓 experiencing and uncovering more and more about myself daily,鈥� Peavy explained.
Peavy says one of the biggest transitions she鈥檚 had to make was relying on others for transportation.
鈥淚t鈥檚 different not having a car with you on campus, which means you have to rely on the transit or ride with close friends to go shopping at the malls in Montgomery or Auburn. However, through this journey, I鈥檝e learned to adjust fast to available conveniences and better manage my time,鈥� she said.
Peavy says since being at 精东AV, several opportunities have come knocking on her door 鈥� including the opportunity to travel abroad with the 精东AV Global Incite program.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine being able to take advantage of such an opportunity had I not been at 精东AV. Because of the relationships and partnerships our faculty and alums make on our behalf as students, we can attend research and educational trips that offer us a global experience,鈥� she noted.
Peavy says that because of Dr. Rhonda Collier, director of the 精东AV Global Office, and alumna Carmen Fields, she was able to take a two-week research trip last summer to South Africa to research social entrepreneurship within the country鈥檚 youth developmental program.
鈥溇獳V has afforded me so many memories that I鈥檒l forever be able to carry, including winning first place in the Southern African research studies conference at Auburn University, based on my experience and visit during my study abroad research trip,鈥� she explained.
Next voyage
Looking toward the future, Peavy plans to continue reaching for the stars and being a role model for her twin brothers.
鈥淚 want my brothers and my peers to know that they should always seize the opportunity at hand, no matter how it鈥檚 packaged,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he door is always open, but you have to be willing to work hard for it.鈥�
Late this year, Peavy will also have another chance to participate in an upcoming abroad experience, as she will travel to Israel as a participant in the Jewish National Fund's Caravan for Democracy Student Leadership Mission.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about my next research trip, as this will also guide me toward what I ultimately want to pursue after graduation,鈥� noted Peavy. 鈥淚 want to continue exploring different countries and giving back through service. I鈥檇 even be happy if I can land an English teaching assistantship in Kenya or Rwanda. That would allow me to tap into my love for education 鈥撯�� as this is something that鈥檚 not widely available to their students.鈥�
Peavy says she has so many plans following graduation, including applying to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program or serving in a White House Cabinet position.