Chandra Peyton epitomizes a well-rounded UGA student. Whether studying for one of her major classes in family and consumer science education, working at UGA’s Housing Department to help pay her way through school, serving in a leadership capacity in the Dawg Daze program or volunteering with local school children in the community, Chandra has embraced her university experience. Her busy schedule and commitment to her chosen profession of education truly make her amazing.
Hometown:
Atlanta, Ga.
High School:
Benjamin E. Mays High School
Degree objective:
Bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences education
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
During my three-and-a-half years at UGA I have done my best to become involved on campus. I have had the opportunity to hold numerous executive positions on the University’s campus, which include: the 2008-2009 National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) historian, the NCNW 2009-2010 2nd vice-president and the 2009-2010 Georgia Daze Athens Community Outreach chairperson. Most recently, I have had the pleasure of becoming a UGA LeaderShape Institute 2010 Graduate. I am also honored to be the only undergraduate student at the University of Georgia to be a part of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Team. However, out of all of the positions and opportunities that I have had at UGA, I am most proud to serve as the 2010-2011 Georgia Daze planning director. Aside from organizations, I also have participated in many community service programs on and around UGA’s campus. These opportunities include the Greensboro Dreamers program based out of Greene County High School, being a Girl Scouts of America troop leader for Athens-Clarke County and working with the Hands on Northeast Georgia Foundation for the MLK Day of Service. I also made the Family and Consumer Sciences Dean’s List for the summer 2010 term.
Current Employment:
I am currently employed by the Department of University Housing. I am a desk assistant in the Reed community, where I work hard to insure that each resident is safe and secure.
Family Ties to UGA:
My twin sister also is in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at UGA.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…when applying for college, there was only one thing I knew I did NOT want and that was to stay in Georgia. I applied to about 20 schools, and UGA was the only one in Georgia. My twin sister begged me to apply, and so I did. After being accepted, I still had mixed feelings about coming to UGA. A few weeks later, I was invited to the Georgia Daze program, in which underrepresented minority students come and visit the university for a weekend. During the weekend, we went to classes, attended social events and gained information about being a student at UGA. After that weekend I knew the University of Georgia was the right place for me.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…to go to many of the student union events. I love Dawg After Dark and especially the free concerts. We recently had my FAVORITE singer, Chrisette Michelle, come and perform, and I was so excited. Another thing I enjoy doing on campus is walking through North Campus. I think the scenery is absolutely amazing.
When I have free time, I like…
…to hang out and socialize with my friends. Because I am so busy around campus, I try to spend as much time as possible with my friends. Some other things that I like to do are: listen to music, watch movies, tutor math at the local high schools and mentor. However, I think that my ultimate free time activity is searching for the newest hair and make-up trends. I am very interested in learning about different ways to explore the world of hair and make-up.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
When I was a little girl, about four or five years old, I had a bad habit of sucking my thumb. One day, my parents and I were playing around and they teased me about sucking my thumb. They got a pair of scissors and played as if they were going to cut my thumb off. I thought that I would be saving myself by snatching the scissors away but, I actually ended up cutting my thumb and having to get stitches. I think that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done.
My favorite place to study is…
…the fourth floor of the Miller Learning Center. I love that it is always quiet. I feel like I can concentrate better when there is silence.
My favorite professor is…
There are two people that come to mind when asked this question; first, Dr. Kathy Thompson in the College of Education. Dr. Thompson helped me to open myself up to new opportunities. She encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and face new challenges. She is an all-around great professor. Secondly, I would like to acknowledge Mrs. Vanessa Williams-Smith (also known as Mrs. V), the Director of Programs and Outreach in the Office of Institutional Diversity. Mrs. V has been my best friend/resource since the day that I set foot on UGA’s campus. She has provided me with numerous opportunities to work with all sorts of programs and organizations. And although Mrs. V is not a professor, I believe that she deserves to be recognized for the impact that she has had on me and my time here at UGA.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…Dr. Mary McLoud-Bethune, because of her passion for educating others. I would love to speak with her about her motives for education and her founding of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. As an active member of this organization, I am interested in understanding the motivation for her to start up a program that inspires African-American women to reach out into their communities and make a difference.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
I would ensure that every little girl loves herself. I think it is very important that we as women love and respect ourselves even when others do not. I come from a family of strong and smart women who taught me that no one can love me more than I love myself. They taught me I should never be afraid to express myself and my beliefs, and that is what I wish for every woman in the world.
After graduation, I plan to…
… attend graduate school to obtain a masters in Educational Leadership. After that, I plan on teaching Family and Consumer Science and Mathematics in an Atlanta public high school.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…my very first night on campus as a freshman. Meeting new people, exploring the campus and having a great time being off to college was the beginning of the greatest college experience I could imagine!