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Dec 29 2014

Driven to Lead: Gernisha L. Parnell, SGA President, Albany State University

What makes you a D.R.I.V.E.R. (Determined. Reliable. Innovative. Visionary. Emerging. Resourceful.)?

I am DETERMINED to change the society I live in. I have proven myself as a RELIABLE servant leader on my campus and in my community. I am INNOVATIVE because I believe we cannot create solutions to problems using the same logic we created them with. What makes me a VISIONARY is I am always thinking or dreaming about the future. Not only my future but also the future of my family, friends, peers, and the world. I am an EMERGING humanitarian. I am RESOURCEFUL because I allow my downfalls in life to build me as a person.

Besides my passion for helping others, my drive comes from my family. I come from a large family where I am the youngest of eight children. Being that I am the baby girl, they are constantly pushing me to be better than them.

I have number of dream jobs; from being a high school history teacher to serving as Executive Secretary for the Department of Education, and finally returning to Albany State University to teach as a professor or serve in an administration position.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I would say my biggest accomplishment is serving as a student leader on my campus. It is an honor when a fellow student tells me that I inspired them to do something great. I have always enjoyed helping others. I found myself in the service of others.

What is the best advice that you have ever received?

The best advice I received was “The ability to fail is needed to succeed.”

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

Five years from now I see myself finishing law school.

What are your hobbies/interests/special talents?

My hobbies and interest are cooking, sports, fishing, and family.

What are your “favs?”

Movies: Transformers, Space Jam, Remember the Titans, and The Blind Side

What advice would you like to share to help encourage other students or recent graduates to “keep driving?”

My matriculation through college has showed me that life has a lot of moments, some good and some bad. To current and future college students, I want you to know life happens. You may experience tons of ups and downs but remember when you’re up, reach down and help someone else for when you are down someone will be there to help you.

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