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Student Spotlight: LaThea Adams


Lathea Adams

 

"The first to submit her work."...."Always ahead of the due date." These are phrases used to describe LaThea Adams, a junior beginning her second semester at Savannah State University as a business management major. While she finished the 2021 fall academic semester with a 4.0 GPA, Adams' journey to success has not been easy.

At 17, on September 8, 2005, it was Lathea’s third day of her senior year of high school. It also marked the day she’d become completely paralyzed due to Transverse Myelitis, a spinal cord disorder. Upon graduating high school, Adams'  attended Hampton University as a marketing major, but after three years, she decided to devote time to her recovery.

As part of her road to recovery, Adams and her family moved to Dacula, Ga. in 2014 to attend Project Walk - Atlanta and the Shepherd Spinal Center, two non-profit spinal injury rehabilitation centers. Seventeen years later, Adams decided to fulfill the commitment she made to herself to earn her degree at an HBCU and chose to be an SSU Tiger.

"LaThea Adams personifies the expression ‘Where there is life, there's hope,’" said Chevanese Samms Brown, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Business Administration and Adams' nominator.

Adams is also a model with Ursula Wiedmann models

Hometown:

Hampton, VA

Degree Objective:

Business Management

Interesting Fact:

I’m recovering from being paralyzed from an autoimmune attack that affected my spinal cord and left me completely paralyzed at the age of 17. Now I can walk with assistance, but I don’t have functional use of my arms and hands yet. I refuse to let that stop me from pursuing my goals. 

How did you choose to come to Savannah State University (SSU)?

I decided that I wanted to finish my bachelor’s degree at an in-state HBCU and that’s when I researched Savannah State, and it struck my interest.

Why did you choose to be in the Business Management program?

Originally, my major was in marketing, and I had to change it due to personal circumstances. However, I’ve always wanted to do something in the business field.

What career-ready skills have you acquired so far?

Leadership, time-management, and business communication skills to name a few.

What are your career goals?

I want to work in retail management or a retail corporation’s human resource department.

What surprised you about SSU?

Savannah State University’s business school accreditation is one of the highest amongst HBCUs.

What is one of the greatest obstacles you’ve overcome?

I’ve overcome many obstacles. I battled with depression for two years due to my sudden illness. I was able to overcome that over time. I believe time heals most wounds. I give God the credit for healing my mental and emotional health.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

I would tell my younger self to stay focused and keep the faith. I believe that we all go through setbacks, but it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Whether you finish school in four years or 15 years, it’s still a big accomplishment.

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