Dominique Brown To Continue Educational Journey On West Coast

Hampton University Class of 2016  #Hamptongrad16

The Hampton University Class of 2016 is ready to soar. The graduates will don their caps and gowns on May 8, 2016 and join the ranks of thousands of Hampton University alumni making an impact all over the world. This blog series will feature a different member of Class of 2016 during Commencement week. 

Dominique Brown To Continue Educational Journey On West Coast

Dominique Brown didn’t even know if she would make it to her second year of college, and now she is preparing to continue her studies at the Ivy League of the West, Stanford University.  Freshman year can make or break students, and Dominique Brown made it to be apart of the graduating Class of 2016.

Dominique Brown poses on the steps of Ogden Hall in cap and gown.

Dominique Brown, a senior psychology major from Charlotte North Carolina, learned about Hampton as a junior in high school during a tour of 33 HBCUs. She visited our “Home by the Sea” again during her senior year, and while she stood out on the lawn in front of the Chapel, she envisioned herself being a student here.

Although Brown received full scholarships to two other schools, she decided on HU. 

“I chose Hampton because it felt like home and I saw myself being comfortable enough to grow and mature into the young woman I wanted to be. And that notion has stayed true to this day,” said Brown.

While at HU, Brown was a member of the Freddye T. Davy Honors College, Quintessence 9 Class Officer Secretary, in the Resident Assistant Association, and was a member of The Script for three years. In addition, she is in the Greer Dawson Wilson Student Leadership Program and mentor in Q.U.E.E.N (Quintessentially Utilizing Elegance and Empowerment to Nurture), both for one year. Managing to maintain a 3.95 GPA, Brown was inducted into the Psi Chi Psychology National Honor Society and the Golden Key International Honor Society.

Brown poses with other members of Q.U.E.E.N.

“When considering all the FTDHC graduates, Brown stands out because she is the first in the pipeline I wish to develop with Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education,” said Director of  Freddye T. Davy Honors College, Dr. Sabin Duncan, when asked about graduating seniors. “Her story stands out when compared to others due to how much she has blossomed. As a freshman, she was just about risk-adverse and now as a senior she is preparing to study on the other side of the country at an institution that this time last year would have been beyond her comprehension.”

Brown begins her graduate studies at Stanford in June and will pursue a Master’s in elementary education. Although she wants to begin her career as an elementary school teacher, she ultimately wants to be a superintendent of a school district.

“Hampton has prepared me for graduate school by placing professors in my path that have encouraged me to do my best as well as provided me with resources that increased my learning,” said Brown. “The advice I would give to current and prospective students is to enjoy your time in undergrad and make the most of it because it goes by so fast…Do what makes you happy, there is nothing worse than doing something you dislike because it places a burden on you that you don’t have to bare. Enjoy life because you only have one life to live.”

- Ryan Jordan '16