Kentucky State University junior Ralph Williams, a business administration major and member of the Student Government Association, has been selected to serve as his school’s White House Initiative on HBCUs student ambassador.
The program was established in 2010 as a part of President Barack Obama’s Executive Order 13532, “Promoting Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”
Williams, originally from Germany, will be responsible for providing outreach and communication with students about the value of education as a member of the 2015-2016 All-Star Cohort.
He will also have the responsibility of sharing promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential.
“I want to be able to communicate the needs here at KSU to the cohort and discover how we can address these needs,” Williams said. “I also hope to build relationships with representatives from the other HBCUs so that we can work together. I admire how there are so many gifted and talented young men and women who have the will to make a positive impact in the community.”
Williams will represent the university throughout the year.
“I have grown throughout my time here at KSU,” Williams said. “I understand how invaluable it is to receive an education and attend an HBCU. I was also interested in being able to represent KSU. I have so much passion for this university and have been afforded many blessings. I enjoy being able to represent this illustrious university and spread its name throughout the world.”
Williams recently received his associate’s degree from the university and will receive a bachelor’s degree in 2017. He said he is the first in his family to do so, but he won’t be the last. His sister began at KSU this fall.
“It is nice to make my parents proud and to be that person who my little sister can look to for advice or inspiration,” he said. “I'm blessed to be a part of the Thorobred Family and honored to serve KSU. Go Breds!”
