Top Eastern Student Quanece Williams of Bridgeport Named Barnard Scholar

2016 Apr 7

Two of Eastern Connecticut State University's top students were named Barnard Scholars on April 6 at the Aqua Turf in Southington. Among them was Quanece Williams '16, a Political Science and History double major from Bridgeport.

The annual Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards recognize 12 outstanding undergraduates from Connecticut's four state universities (Central, Eastern, Southern and Western). To be considered for an award, a student must have at least a 3.75 GPA, a record of community service and be nominated by their respective university president.

Williams' Eastern experience has been a chain reaction of progression. Over the course of four years, the first-generation college student evolved from a shy introvert into an active scholar and community member, and is now one big step closer to realizing her dream of becoming an attorney.

Growing up in a low income neighborhood in Queens, New York City, Williams recognized at a young age the stigmas that are imposed upon people of color. Her mother taught her to resist these social constructs. "She instilled in me the notion that determination breeds success," said Williams, "and invested in the only mechanism that can truly liberate an individual: education."

After moving to Bridgeport and a successful run through high school, Williams began at Eastern. "I had a tough time adjusting freshman year," she recalls. Her roommate moved out, she kept mostly to herself and became uncharacteristically introverted. The one upside, "I became immersed in my academic work."

Things started to turn around sophomore year, when she became a resident assistant (RA). "I not only became more involved on campus, but I also developed a voice for myself," she said. This newfound voice empowered her to speak up in class, which led to her becoming a research assistant for a professor who was writing a book about Polish immigration.

"That transferred into me doing a whole bunch of different things." After delving into study of Poland, she jumped at the opportunity to study abroad in a "global field course" to Poland, Hungary and Austria. This up-close view of the aftermath of the Holocaust was her "most extraordinary experience in college."

Studying abroad gave Williams insights into the European educational system, which she compared to that of the United States. This led to her volunteering with Jumpstart, an early childhood program focused on literacy. In Willimantic, most of the children in Jumpstart are Hispanic. The 300-hour service commitment, Williams says, "allows me to show children that they can defy their stigmas, while reaffirming the notion that education is the great equalizer."

Williams fondly looks back on her time at Eastern. "I achieved more than I thought I would." Other accomplishments include an internship at the Connecticut General Assembly, being the president of the Pre-Law Society and completing an independent study about public and charter schools in Connecticut. Reflecting back on that tough first year, she said, "I'm happy I stuck it out all four years."

Being the first in her family to graduate from a four-year institution, Williams says, "This sets something up in our family. My little cousins are always being told to go to college. They can see that it doesn't matter where you come from; you don't have to be beholden to any stigmas people create for you."

For as long as she can remember, Williams has wanted to be an attorney. "I want to be a person who is able to represent someone whose rights have been infringed upon," she says. "It's important to advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves, or don't know how to."

Williams is particularly intrigued by immigration law. She will take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) this coming September and has several prestigious universities in mind for law school.