Campus Celebrity: Alexis Canty

Major: English Major, Marketing Minor

Hometown: Yorktown, VA

What organizations are you involved in on campus? I am the co-president of the William and Mary NAACP.  I chose to be a member of this organization because I wanted to make a difference.  I know it sounds like a cliché, but ever since I was little my parents have always taught me to give back to the community.  In this organization, I have to delegate tasks, organize events, collaborate with different groups on campus, and be a role model for others.  We have successfully carried out many initiatives and events this year including our Dates for a Cause event, which raised money and awareness for Beyond Boobs in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  In October, we had our voter registration week and Mock Debate between representatives from Young Democrats, College Republicans, and third party representative.  We plan to be involved in much more throughout the rest of this semester and in the spring. 

I am a member of the Multicultural President’s Council.  As student leaders on campus, we have monthly meetings to discuss what is going on within our various organizations and to find solutions to engage the campus community in multicultural affairs.

I am also a tour guide providing tours to potential students here at the College.  It’s really fun and I have a lot of fun talking to people who are just as amped about William and Mary as I am.  This year I am the Vice President of Business for Her Campus WM and my job is to push publicity for all of the Her Campus events and help to organize events for the organization as well.  I’m proud of our new philanthropy with She’s the First and hope that we can do even more to aid them in their mission.  Finally, I am a member of South Asian Student Association (SASA).  We just finished our SASA Expressions event, which was really successful exposing students on William and Mary’s campus to Indian culture through dance, theater, and outreach.

What is one thing you wish you could improve about William & Mary? I would really like to see students supporting multicultural organizations a lot more than they currently do. I feel like many students are either intimidated or uninterested in attending multicultural events, but the key to having a successful, accepting, and informed student body is to have diversity present within the organizations themselves and at the events that these bodies put on for the campus community.  If we can bridge the gap a bit more, I think we’d see more change.   

If you had a million dollars to donate to any philanthropic cause, where would the money go? There are so many causes that I think are important to support and so I really couldn’t just choose one.  If I could split the money three ways I would say She’s the First, Campus Kitchens, and the St. Cyprian’s Hope for the Homeless program.  I think education, especially for females is important.  Knowledge is truly power and so to give that gift to women around the world is truly amazing.  I was a member of Campus Kitchens my freshman year and I believe in food equality.  Food deserts should not exist and so by feeding a community, you give them an essential component to life.  St. Cyprian’s is the name of my church and my dad came up with the idea to start a feeding program for the members of the Hampton community.  A lot of families are impacted by hunger and I honestly don’t feel it’s right to see a family who is in need go without proper nourishment.  Hunger and education as well as equality are some issues that are really important to me.

What is your favorite W&M experience?  Definitely, William and Mary Day at Busch Gardens.  I remember freshman year going to Hallowscream with my friends and almost missing the bus once and missing the bus the second time.  I feel like those moments are the ones you never really forget in the college experience and I will always cherish them!

What are your future goals? I honestly just want to be happy with whatever I’m doing.  I plan to work in the communications field.  I’m looking into Human Resources, Public Relations, Journalism, and a host of other things right now.  I think something that is exciting and that will keep me on my toes would be really fun.  I love to work with people and have plans to continue being involved in community outreach throughout my life.  I measure success by being satisfied with who I am as a person and how I treat the people around me.