Ashanti Ford

Ashanti Ford is a sport management major from Matteson, IL

Hometown: Matteson, IL

Year: Expected graduation: 2025

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I received an NIU Merit Scholarship due to my grades in high school. I chose NIU due to the amount of financial aid I received. 

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Like almost every other child, I wanted to teach. As I got older, I changed my mind many times, from teacher to engineer to simply wanting to work with children, then to business and finally, to sport management. 

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is sport management. I chose this last semester after realizing my love for sports could actually help me love my future career. 

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I think for me it has been the professors. Before coming to college, high school teachers make college professors seem so scary. I have been lucky enough to have professors who were either extremely nice or who I could tell really cared about their students.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I met one of my closest friends in the Holmes Student Center. We were both doing homework in the same area and exchanged social media. I guess you can say the rest is history. 

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am a member of The Good Girl Movement Inc., TRIO student support services, the John Henrik Clarke Honor Society, the Black Student Union and the Black Student Achievement Program.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you succeed? And how?
I think being a part of TRIO has really helped me, even though I have only been there for a semester. Shakaria Smith does a great job checking up on me, whether it's my academics or personal life. Being able to find somebody I am comfortable with to ask for help is such a big part of my success. 

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
I have taken many asynchronous classes, so I don't get the chance to truly meet my professors often. I had Huntleigh Wozniak for KNPE 111. She was extremely interactive with the class and made it more interesting. At the time, the class was simply counting as a general education course for me. I thought it was going to be an easy A, but she made it more than just a grade. I was interested in what she taught. 

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I actually hate missing class. I feel like I'll be behind if I do. I think my grades reflect me attending class regularly.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
The Center for Black Studies is a place on campus that’s full of students who look like me and have similar goals. We want to achieve something great, which is a beautiful thing. Everything that happens in that building is filled with love and support. 

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
To look in depth — by that I mean look up what their organizations are actually doing. We can always see how great academics may be on a campus, but for a student like me who is extremely involved, I want more, and I want to feel comfortable where I am every day. I want to feel included on my campus. If you get the chance, try to visit in person before deciding, as well.

Why is a college education important to you?
I live by the quote, "knowledge is power," and I was always told that my knowledge was the one thing that no one could ever take away from me. I know that having it will help me accomplish my goals.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I use a planner so I can write down what I need to do for the week. I usually do my homework early in the week so that I can spend my other time with family, friends and organizations. When it comes to having different events to go to during the week, I still try to find time in my day to do work. 

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
Social media is one of my best friends when it comes to events around campus. If I don't see it on there, I usually don't know about it. 

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I have recently started journaling more. It gives me a time to free my mind without talking. I also love turning on a movie and lighting a candle to just relax. And I cannot forget naps. They help me so much throughout the week, when I can make time for one.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I currently work at Walgreens as a pharmacy technician. During the summer I also volunteer at the Chicago Boys and Girls Club. I love photography and plan to get more into modeling.