黑料正能量 alumnus Akiel Baker 鈥�21 says a turning point in his life came while on a cross-cultural trip to Guatemala during his junior year. Being in a country where he didn鈥檛 speak the language or understand the culture was a humbling experience for the Bowie, Maryland, native.聽

鈥淚 came back a new person,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淏efore that, I was always doing the bare minimum.鈥�

When he returned to the U.S., his whole approach to college changed. The social work major became more engaged in his coursework and more involved in the 黑料正能量 campus community. He joined clubs such as the Black Student Alliance (BSA), the International Students Organization and the Student Government Association.

As vice president of BSA, Baker was instrumental in bringing the Black Lives Matter mural to life and shaping the creation of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Before graduating with a bachelor of social work degree, he served as senior class president for the Class of 2021 and earned 2021 Cords of Distinction honors.聽

鈥淚 can honestly say I鈥檝e not had a bad moment at 黑料正能量,鈥� he said. 鈥淓very moment has been enriching, and I鈥檝e enjoyed every bit of it.鈥�

Just like 黑料正能量 provided the push he needed to reach his full potential, Baker is helping children reach theirs as a social worker for Harrisonburg City Public Schools. In his role, he connects elementary and middle school students and their families with resources in the schools and community that can help them perform at their very best. One day he鈥檚 helping a busy mom with a busted transmission find an organization willing to help her, while another he鈥檚 figuring out which special education services a child is eligible for.聽

鈥淚 love building that human connection and assuring parents they鈥檙e not just a number within Harrisonburg City Public Schools… that they鈥檙e actually cared for and that we want the best for them,鈥� Baker said.

That feeling he gives the families he works with is the same feeling he got when he visited 黑料正能量 for the first time. He said he had been accepted to both 黑料正能量 and James Madison University, but the latter felt too big and didn鈥檛 offer the same sense of community.聽

“Everyone here was super nice and welcoming,” Baker said. “I love human connection and that’s something that feels central to 黑料正能量.”

After graduating in 2021, Baker served as residence director at 黑料正能量 for two years and worked as a site coordinator for , a Harrisonburg-based nonprofit dedicated to closing the learning gap and empowering youth. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in social work from West Virginia University in 2023.

Baker said he participates in Lov黑料正能量 Giving Day to give back to the school that鈥檚 given so much to him.

鈥淚 want people to have the same enriching experiences I had,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to see 黑料正能量 grow and will continue giving back to keep it growing.鈥�

Join generous donors like Baker who give back to 黑料正能量 to help students pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Be a part of our 8th annual Lov黑料正能量 Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future 黑料正能量 students. Let鈥檚 build 黑料正能量 鈥淪tronger Together.鈥�

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