Some people have a greater appreciation for Florida A&M than others. First generation college graduate Britney Cloud is a living testament.
Graduating next weekend with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and a minor in sociology, Cloud can tell you all you need to know about Florida A&M.
Her goal is to work in hospitality. After graduation she plans on working for the state of Florida to aide in the departments dealing with personnel care.
A Tallahassee native, FAMU festivities have been a part of her life since she was a child. She has been attending plays hosted by FAMU, going to sporting events, going to festivals, and enjoying the environment of Homecoming for as long as she can remember.
Florida A&M was her first choice for college after high school graduation.
“I love FAMU because you are surrounded by so many young black people that want to be something in life,” Cloud said.
Not only that, her mom is part of faculty in the School of Architecture and there is nothing better than being close to mom.
FAMU has been the home to many successful individuals, including the former CEO of Converse, G.Scott, musician K.Michelle, rapper/actor Common, and many more.
“Britney strikes me as someone that is going to be successful after graduation because I’ve seen how much hard work, she has put into getting her degree. She’ll probably be one of those people that gets married and brings their kids to homecoming as a baby dressed in all FAMU gear,” her long-time friend and former colleague, Areune Bivins, said.
College is not easy in general but being a first-generation graduate does not make it better. Cloud gave a few pieces of advice for incoming freshmen on how to be successful in their college career. Some of those are: “Be proud of who you are and where you came from,” and“Go to every class, gain a relationship with your professors, and do not procrastinate.”
Any former or current student understands the importance behind her advice. College is not easy, but these things can make the experience more pleasant.
“It is a lot of people I see that come in and out of my office everyday and you can tell who has the drive and work ethic to achieve their goals and she definitely has both to take her wherever she wants to go,” Sandra Cloud, her mother, said.