From the president
Jayda Ives-Williams, a double English and Africana studies major with a minor in Leadership, is a third-year student at the University of Rhode Island. She is a positive and forward-thinking changemaker, who embeds service, civics, and community into her personal and educational life. Jayda has served her home and campus communities through awareness and social justice initiatives, and she understands the value of empowering youth voices. Jayda is a facilitator of the University of Rhode Island’s Diversity Dialogues, a Leader of the URI Service Corps, and a member of the School Entertainment Committee. She showcases her commitment to her home community as a member of the Providence Public Schools Student Union. She embraces challenges and engages with new and diverse places. Ms. Ives-Williams represents the significance of creating strong and consistent voices in our community spaces and is dedicated to service and servant leadership. Her experiences allow her to view the world through a unique lens, and she knows the power and beauty of diversity and strength. Jayda will continue to lead at home, on campus, and in post-graduate life. At the University of Rhode Island, we “Think Big,” and so does Jayda, with an exciting future ahead.
Personal Statement
My passion for social justice began in high-school when I joined a student-led organization which organized protests and campaigns to ensure the well-being of students. Throughout this experience, I learned how systems can affect student opportunity, outcomes, and well-being. I also realized how systemic factors perpetuate inequality and oppression, which led me to discovering service work. On campus, I am involved with URI Service Corps, which allows students to serve in various capacities, most notably, week-long service trips over spring break. I am also involved in community efforts, such as serving on the board of the organization where I discovered my passion, and can now ensure that high school students in Providence remain visible and heard, and I am an advocate for quality civics education for all secondary students in Rhode Island.