US Army National Guard Soldier Earns Public Relations Degree at FAMU

For recent FAMU SJGC graduate and US Army National Guard Specialist Ahriyan Adams, greatness requires juggling many things at once. Shortly after entering FAMU, the freshman was called to provide Hurricane Irma relief. Adams was out of school for three months, doing classwork in her spare time. 

“My unit’s activation for Hurricane Irma assistance was a shock but I had to abide by my contract,” she said. 

As a supply specialist, she completed logistics from headquarters, which includes tracking inventory from vehicles, food, weapons, etc., to ensure optimal readiness for all support missions and tasks.

Ahriyan Adams started her Army National Guard career at age 17. Five years later, Adam is now a specialist and her time in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication has come to a close. 

“It feels amazing to graduate in four years,” said Adams. “I am just in awe of the grit and willpower that I had through this time and overjoyed that my hard work is paying off, and the goals I set at 17 are coming to fruition,” Adams said.

During her time in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, Adams shined as a leader among her peers. She served as the president of the FAMU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA); contributed articles as a FAMUAN writer from 2019-2021; completed a series of impressive internships including, but not limited to: the Deutsch NY Summer Creative Advertising Media Program, AmeriCorps Art Advocate for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Communications Intern for Florida Guardian Ad Litem.

Adams said her mentor SJGC Professor Kenneth Jones recommended her for the Florida Guardian Ad Litem internship.

“Prof. Jones’ recommendation (for the internship) really solidified my transition over to the School of Journalism ‘FAMULY’,” she said. “I can say that this was a pivotal moment in my life. It helped mold me into who I am today and has prepared me for what is next.”

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native comes from a military family. Her grandfather served in WWII, her father recently retired as a Major with over 30 years in service, and even her brother was in the service. Still, Adams says her mother, a FAMU SBI alumna, is her role model. 

“I have always looked up to how she carries herself and embodies who she is as a black woman,” Adams said. “Many times she attributes her foundation and tenacity to FAMU.” 

She begins another chapter in February: working as a sales representative for Pfizer, one of the world’s premier biopharmaceutical companies, in Ilinois. 

“I made the best decision to attend FAMU,” she said. “ I gained lifelong skills from professors who have taken me under their wing and peers who have turned into family and friends.”

She continued, “This university establishes another kind of pride in you that you can not gain elsewhere, pride in community, culture, and being unapologetically you.”

Adams and more than 40 other SJGC seniors graduated Friday, December 10 at 6 p.m. in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.