Alyson Sherley, a Junior Biology Health Science major here at Alcorn State University (ASU), was born on April 7th, 2001 in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in the suburbs of Alsip, Illinois where she lived for 12 years until moving to Chicago, Illinois.
She recalled how moving from the suburbs where everything was out in the open to relocating to the big city definitely changed her perceptions on life. “My childhood environment absolutely changed when I moved which made me more of an introvert. It taught me to love myself not just on the outside but on the inside and figure out my own routine,” Sherley stated.
The two most influential people who helped her in this transitional phase of her life was her mother and grandmother. She explained how the two of them kept her confidence high and for that she will always love and respect them. The relationship that the three have now is immeasurable and when they’re together it’s always a loving and happy time.
Sherley attended South Shore International College Prep High School, her mother’s alma mater, which had a huge impact on her. It impacted her sense of maturity because it surrounded her with like-minded people.
Upon graduating from high school, Sherley chose Alcorn State University as her institution of higher learning with Biology as her major. She chose Biology because of how she took part in a medical program while in high school and fell in love with helping people including her grandfather. Her plans are to attend a nursing program back home in Chicago once she has completed her Biology degree at Alcorn and get a position within the medical field.
While on campus, Sherley has achieved some massive goals while also overcoming certain insecurities. One of her biggest college accomplishments thus far came in the Spring of 2021 when she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the same sorority that her mother is a member of. Since doing so, she admits that after joining the sorority it has improved her communication and networking skills. Another big accomplishment she has had was being able to step out of her comfort zone and adapt to a new environment in a different state right after high school which was not an easy task but she overcame it.
Having a lot to be grateful for, Sherley stressed how grateful she is for her health and being able to put a smile on her grandmother’s face whenever she calls. “I always tell myself to live in the moment and if you’re able to then go for it,” she said.
