We Are Lights of the Valley (2026)

22/10/2021

“My experience was amazing. I was working with us for us and it felt great to do a thing and see the results. I was being the change I wanted to see and surrounded by so many people passionate about giving back. My family raised me doing community service. Serving didn't disappear at FVSU and as you can see, I had such a wide variety of opportunities to give, serve, and grow into the woman that I am today.”

Meet alumna, Geneva West ‘03. As a valuable member of organizations such as The Peachite, Student Government Association, Baptist Student Union, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. it is safe to say Geneva was an influential member of FVSU’s student body. Since her graduation from FVSU, her influence and sense of service have never wavered. She lives by the mantra “If you want a stronger community, invest in a girl.” Taking her motto to heart, Geneva launched Real IMPACT Center, Inc. in 2013. Over the last seven and half years, Geneva and her non-profit have directly impacted over 3,500 girls in Middle Georgia through STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, art, math) programming to close the gender gap in STEM education and careers for underrepresented groups by engaging girls in third through eighth grade. Geneva also works as a Program Manager at Robins Air Force Base.

Read more about Geneva and other students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/geneva-west-03

21/10/2021

Meet alumnus Enrique Perez ‘06. Outside of being a CDEP Scholar, Enrique had a successful athletic career as a member of FVSU’s Tennis Team. Instead of receiving his Mathematics degree from FVSU, Enrique opted to matriculate onto Pennsylvania State University where he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Geosciences. Professionally, Enrique currently works as a Geoscientist for Hess Corporation based in Houston, Texas.

Read more about Enrique and other students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/enrique-perez-06

20/10/2021

“I had a great experience at Fort Valley, especially due to the developing ability to manage school-life balance (work hard, play hard) and getting to be around other black people and feel comfortable, which I value a lot more looking back now.”

Meet alumnus Mario McGregor ‘11. Outside of being a CDEP Scholar, Mario was an integral part of FVSU’s Mathematics Team and an active member of the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. After graduation from FVSU, he matriculated onto the University of Arkansas where he received a second Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mathematics. Professionally, Mario currently works as a Mathematician for Scientific Games where he is based in Las Vegas.

Read more about Mario and other students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/mario-mcgregor-11

19/10/2021

“FVSU provided me with a great foundation and skills that extended beyond the classroom. I learned how important it is to show up every day as your best self and to connect with others.”

Meet alumna, Johnné Dawson ‘10. Her academic prowess led her to be recruited by FVSU’s nationally-acclaimed CDEP Program. After her graduation from FVSU, she continued her matriculation onto the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she earned a Bachelor's and Masters of Health Physics. Currently, Johnné works as a Health Physicist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital where she provides radiation safety support to researchers and clinical staff.

Read more about Johnné and other students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/johnne-dawson-10

18/10/2021

“Truthfully, I hadn't thought about going to an HBCU during my initial college search, but FVSU offering the full-ride Presidential Scholarship certainly changed that quickly. Now I can say attending an HBCU, and FVSU specifically, was one of the best decisions I've ever made.”

Meet alumnus, Willie Lamar III ‘13. On-campus, Willie used his leadership skills to impact organizations such as the National Association of Black Accountants(NABA) and Society for the Advancement of Management(SAM). After graduation, his prowess led him to work for Google as an Account Executive. Over the course of his professional career at Google, he has since become a Program Manager while also being a part of the global leadership team for Black Googler Network, Google's employee resource group for Black workers.

Read more about Willie and other students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/willie-lamar-iii-13

17/10/2021

Meet alumnus, Allante Harrison ‘14. Outside of being a CDEP Scholar, Allante helped empower the possible at FVSU through his leadership within Fort Valley’s National Society of Black Engineers chapter. After graduation from FVSU, he matriculated onto the University of Arkansas where he received a second Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and then a Master of Engineering in Additive Manufacturing and Design from Pennsylvania State University. Professionally, Allante currently works as a Lead Mechanical Engineer on MR subsystems for GE Healthcare in South Carolina.

Read more about Allante and other students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/allante-harrison-14

16/10/2021

Meet alumnus, LeMario Brown ‘09. A mayoral candidate in the city of Fort Valley’s upcoming election, Lemario has long been a difference-maker within Peach County. During his time at FVSU, he made his impact within the Criminal Justice club. Since his graduation, the Fort Valley native has been a force in the advancement of black farmers across Georgia while also helping transform the city of Fort Valley through his leadership as a Councilman.

Read more about LeMario and other students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/lemario-brown-09

05/05/2021

Meet Jhavani Mezier ‘21. Leaving behind a measurable impact on our campus, Jhavani will be walking across the stage on May 15 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. During his esteemed collegiate career, Mr. Mezier has received numerous scholastic and community accolades. Due to his academic prowess, he was a three-time Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholar and recognized as a Tom Joyner Foundation Hercules Scholar. On-campus, he was an active member of the Fort Valley State Cross Country Team, served as Mr. Senior, mentored peers through the Boys to Men Program, and crossed the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. This upcoming fall Jhavani plans on attending law school to further pursue his dream of opening his own law firm.

Read more about Jhavani and other FVSU students and alumni here: https://wearelightsofthevalley.com/jhavani-mezier-21

20/09/2020

“What kept me at Fort Valley State University was the ability to give back, help others grow, and make the time worthwhile is the job of a mentor and receive a mentor for a lifetime.”

Meet alumna, Jana Stokes ‘95. Jana was an active leader within the American Association of Family and Consumer Science during her matriculation at FVSU. Jana obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s from FVSU, in Family & Consumer Sciences and Early Childhood Education, respectively. Presently, she is a former educator and Special Education and Homeless Advocate. She has worked collaboratively with educators, Student Support Teams (SST), liaisons, and parents to provide opportunities to service the whole student’s individual achievement. With an abundance of knowledge for McKinney Veto and IDEA/FAPE requirements, she helps parents and students with special education needs develop effective Individualized Education Programs. She is a relentless advocate for students and an expert in ensuring legal compliance for special education students as the President & CEO of Special Education Advocacy and Consulting, LLC, and Ryan’s Gift of Advocacy and Consulting, Inc. Company.

Read more about Jana and other students and alumni with the link in our bio.

06/09/2020

“What kept me at Fort Valley State University were my friends that I made from my freshman to senior year. As I get older, I realized that the friends that I made at Fort Valley State University turned into my family.”

Meet alumnus, Gordon Linton ‘14. Gordon as an undergraduate studied Criminal Justice and was a part of Black Men With Initiative. Since his graduation from FVSU, Gordon has received a Master of Public Administration from the University of West Georgia. Additionally, Gordon has continued to give back to FVSU through his mentorship with Black Men With Initiative. Professionally, he works for the city of Stockbridge as a Planner I in the Planning and Community Development Department.

Read more about Gordon and other students and alumni with the link in our bio.

05/09/2020

“I chose to study Chemistry because I wanted to learn about how atoms and molecules interact and the reactions resulting from those interactions.”

Meet alumnus, Haven Searcy ‘20. Haven as an undergraduate was a Cooperative Developmental Energy Program scholar, helped cultivate STEM extracurricular organizations and his academic prowess earned him Magna Cum Laude honors upon graduating with his B.S in Chemistry. Haven served as Vice President of the American Chemical Society, conducted research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and was initiated in the Alpha Pi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. As an alumnus, he has matriculated onto the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to receive a second bachelors in Health Physics.

Read more about Haven and other students and alumni with the link in our bio.

05/08/2020

Georgia Rep. Calvin Smyre(D) '70, was elected in 1974 and is the longest-serving member of the Georgia General Assembly. Smyre '70 joined Synovus, a financial services company based in Columbus, in 1976, and went from a management trainee to retiring in 2014 as the executive vice president of corporate affairs. Synovus announced a $1 million contribution to the United Negro College Fund(UNCF) in his namesake. According to Synovus, The Synovus/Calvin Smyre Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships for African American students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions of higher education in Synovus’ five-state footprint. The company will designate one scholarship annually for a student enrolled at Smyre’s alma mater, FVSU(). Read more about this contribution with the link in our bio!

We Are Lights of the Valley