Vester Waters has been selected as a 2016 All-Star for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The All-Stars were selected from over 300 students from 24 states, the District of Columbia, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Virgin Islands.
According to Waters, he is honored to have been chosen, but the selection came as a surprise.
“I applied, but I did not expect to be selected,” said Waters. “I was contacted on the last day that nominees were to be announced.”
The All-Stars, comprised of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, are being recognized for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and civic engagement.
Waters has served in a number of leadership positions at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), and hopes to one day work for the government.
“I would like to be a catalyst for change,” he continued. “My dream is to motivate people, so they can see that they can make positive impacts in our community.”
Waters will serve as an ambassador by providing outreach opportunities and communicating with other students about the value of both education and the Initiative as a networking source.
He will also participate in the White House HBCU Week Conference, national and regional events, and webinars with Initiative staff and other professionals on a range of disciplines that support a spirit of engagement and personal and professional development.
The All-Stars will work together and as a group and network with one another to achieve their goals.
Using social media, relationships with community-based organizations, and sessions with industry professionals, he and other students will share proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential.
“In order to see improvements on campus, I will need the support of my fellow colleagues,” he added.
“Together we can be a force of change.”