Faces of NLU: Meet Darrell Williams
An NLU graduate and military veteran shares his journey of perseverance from Compton, CA to the White House Communications Agency.
At National Louis University (NLU), we believe that accessible higher education can unlock students’ potential and take them to great places – no matter where they come from. Darrell Williams, a military veteran and NLU graduate, is a perfect example of this idea in action. Darrell grew up in Compton, CA, which he admits was a difficult place to start out:
“The biggest obstacle that I had to overcome was growing up in Compton, California, which was the fourth most dangerous city in America at that time, surrounded by gang violence, drugs, and negative peer pressure [...]”
Despite these challenges, Darrell was able to establish a career in the military. He says the adversity in his upbringing fueled him to succeed:
“I was determined to learn my job better than others and show that something positive could come out of Compton, California. I continuously worked to improve my skills and become the type of person that others could depend on. As a result, I served as an Operations and Vice Presidential Communications Officer in the White House Communications Agency (WHCA), where I eventually led over 500 White House missions. Following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, I was selected as one of five key leaders, from 30 managers to direct emergency action communications for the Vice President of the United States, including duties as an Air Force Two Command Representative.”
Even though he had already worked for a number of years as a Communications Officer, Darrell felt it was important to him to come back to school to finish his degree:
“I always knew I needed to finish my education, but the challenge was: How could I achieve this goal with an already busy schedule?”
NLU’s flexible class options and convenient on-base location in Washington, D.C. made choosing NLU an easy decision for Darrell:
“One reason that other veterans and I chose National Louis was its reputation and proximity to our Washington, D.C. Metropolitan workspace. The Anacostia Naval Station Campus was ideal, particularly since it was between both home and work. I also had colleagues who were attending National Louis and they had nothing but positive comments about their experience as well. What sealed the deal for me was my conversation with the Enrollment Specialist at that time. Her words of wisdom, ability to address my concerns, and positive encouragement immediately showed me that this was the right place to continue my education.”
Darrell says his professors’ flexibility and willingness to work with students reinforced his decision:
“The other item that proved that I made the right decision was my first day of class. The plan that the instructors laid out was excellent, and the assurance that they gave every adult learner was refreshing. They committed to work with everyone’s schedule, situation, and circumstance. They constantly reminded everyone to keep the instructors informed when we were about to travel, so that they could ensure they had a backup plan to keep us on track.”
Darrell credits his B.S. in Management degree at NLU for giving him the skills and knowledge to further his career:
“National Louis University helped me to achieve my career goal by providing additional leadership skills that allowed me to effectively lead teams and meet new expanding mission requirements. It also gave me an advantage that allowed me to apply for senior roles and positions that required higher education and a professional degree [...] These skills have made me more efficient and agile, leading to new opportunities as I increase collaboration across my agency and with colleagues across the globe.”
In June of 2021, Darrell was inducted into the White House Communications Agency Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor for his 20 years of service.
What advice does a man who has accomplished so much have to share with other NLU students?
“Remember that the same things that make you successful in college, will make you successful after college: Resilience, Discipline, Networking, Mentoring, and Accountability.”
Interested in learning more about our degree completer programs at NLU? You can also check out our Military and Veteran Program and contact an Enrollment Specialist online to discuss your personal and professional goals.
