Commencement Spotlight: Cequoia Ali

Commencement Spotlight: Cequoia Ali, Bachelor of Science in Biology 

Future Plans: Occupational Therapy Graduate Student, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences  

Cequoia Ali, a Decatur, Georgia native, first-generation college student, and transfer student, will graduate on December 9 from Albany State University (ASU) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is a member of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, Pre-Alumni Council, Students Advocating for Stronger Sisterhood, Student Government Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. A campus leader, she has served as the vice president of the Velma Fudge Grant Honors Program and as a resident assistant. She also received the Resident Assistant of the Year Award. Passionate about serving others, she has volunteered with the ASU RAM Raid, campus beautification opportunities, Feeding the Valley, and other organizations that help people experiencing homelessness. 

A scholar committed to academic excellence, she has made the Dean’s List three times and received scholarships from the ASU Foundation and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Cequoia also participated in the Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program at the University of Minnesota, researching the “Effects of sequential traumatic brain injury on neuroinflammation in mice.” She is passionate about serving as a resource for adolescents in the community, sharing her experiences and knowledge the same way they were shared with her.  

Cequoia has been accepted to the occupational therapy graduate program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, Texas. She dreams of establishing her own rehabilitation clinic with physical therapists, chiropractors, and other occupational therapists. 

 

Why did you choose ASU?   
Originally, I transferred to ASU from a neighboring institution. Before coming to ASU, I felt like I didn’t have a sense of community or the guidance that I needed from my department. Once I visited ASU and connected with some faculty of the Arts and Sciences department, I was sure that ASU was the right choice for me. 
 
What motivated you to learn more about your field?  
I got to observe firsthand the work of an occupational therapist (OT) in my mom's class, where she teaches students of the neurodiverse population, and I learned how unique the profession is. OTs have a special role in helping individuals with disabilities or challenges. 
 

What do you love most about your chosen profession?  
I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives by helping them regain independence and improve their quality of life. 

  

Who has made the most significant impact on you, and who do you consider to be a role model at ASU?   
I consider Dr. JoAnn McCrary to be my role model at ASU. I admire her passion for pouring into her community and showing her students their potential. She is one of the professors who truly makes you think and research. I’m grateful that I got to experience her excellence.   
 

What advice would you give to other ASU students?  
Remember to stay authentic! It is so easy to lose sight of yourself and your goals. Own your uniqueness and surround yourself with supporting people.  
 

What would you tell a high school student about choosing ASU to further their education?   
I would tell them it would be one of the best experiences of their academic career. ASU has a rich history and culture that provides a supportive environment and a wide range of academic programs for students.