Diamond Williams

Diamond Williams is a management major from Chicago, IL

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Class Of: 2021

Are you attending NIU on any scholarships? Which one(s)?
Yes, several merit scholarships for minority students and women in business.

What is your major, and why did you choose your field of study?
My major is management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and social responsibility. No matter what field a person chooses to go into, there is always a businessperson behind the scenes; I knew that I would be able to make careers out of all of my interest/hobbies with a background in business.

How did you learn about NIU, and why did you choose to attend?
I chose NIU because the College of Business is phenomenal, the opportunities are endless, and it is close enough for me to travel home whenever at random times.

Are you involved in any activities at NIU? What else do you do for fun/hobbies in your spare time?
At NIU, I am involved in many organizations like Campus Activities Board, Black Student Union, African American Mentoring Program, Student Association – Cultural Coalition, NAACP, and more. In my spare time, I like to dance, do makeup, and play basketball.

What has been your favorite event at NIU, and why?
My favorite event at NIU has been doing community service at Six Flags – Fright Fest with the Black Student Union because we were able to bond as an Executive Board and build closer relationships with our members; after we finished our service project, we had the opportunity to enjoy the park.

What do you like about our campus and community?
I love that our campus has an organization for every hobby/interest that might arise and if there is an organization that our campus lacks, we are free to start one of our own.

What has your experience inside the classroom been like at NIU?
Inside the classrooms at NIU, I feel that the professors care about not only professional and academic growth, but also my personal growth.

What is something you have experienced at NIU that you will be able to take with you into future endeavors in your field?
While at NIU, I was able to attend a conference titled the “Sistas’ Summit.” This was an emotional, thought-provoking, and humbling event, to say the least. It is important for me to take the conversations I had and lessons I learned at this event with me for the rest of my life.

Would you recommend NIU to others and why? What’s a general piece of advice you’d give to someone starting college?
I would recommend NIU to others because it is the perfect place for you to fast-track your life and start seeing the successful you that you've been waiting all of your life to see. One general piece of advice I would give to someone that is starting college is to go for everything; don’t exclude yourself because your experiences/qualifications don’t match the job overview. Don't shy away from anything. The opportunity is there, but it is up to you to utilize it.

What is up next for you after your time at NIU? Any career aspirations you would like to share?After completing my undergraduate program, I plan on going for my master’s while gaining work experience with different companies and in different areas.

Any family or other loved ones you would like to mention?
My mother is my honorable mention. Since college our bond has continued to get stronger; she is my best friend.

What is your favorite place to hang out in the DeKalb area?
My favorite place to hang out in DeKalb is the Center for Black Studies.

What is something people may be surprised to know about you?
It might surprise people to know that I am really shy, and every time I have to speak in public, I have to give myself a pep talk. This includes raising my hand in class, ordering food, going to the doctor, and even at my organizations’ meetings.