DaShundra Royal is a proud native of Greenwood, Mississippi who now resides in Byram, Mississippi. She is a 2011 graduate of Alcorn State University. She is also a 2-time graduate of Mississippi State University where she received her Master’s in Special Education and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Currently, she is an 8th grade Inclusion Teacher in the Jackson Public School System, where she is the Drill team and Girls and Boys Track and Field Head Coach. She was named 2019 Track and Field Coach of the Year.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ALCORN?
I chose to attend Alcorn to follow in the footsteps of my grandmother and to become a member of the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite.
WHAT ORGANIZATIONS WERE YOU A PART OF?
I was a member of ‘THE BEST BAND IN THE LAND’, The Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite.
HOW HAS ALCORN HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER?
Alcorn helped me become a bolder person. It also taught me survival skills and to always be confident in everything that I do.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT ALCORN?
During my time at Alcorn, I enjoyed the family atmosphere, meeting my husband, “OJ” Royal, experiencing college life with my baby sister, Shyandrea Glass, and meeting my best friend, Ouida Lyons.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CURRENT OR FUTURE STUDENTS ON ‘THE YARD’?
The advice that I have for current or future students on “THE YARD” would be to enjoy college life. Be yourself and don’t be afraid to make lifetime connections with good people.