Sharia Barksdale ’06

Being fully transparent—Hood was not my first-choice institution.  I wanted to leave the state and go as far away as possible.  My mom made me apply to at least one in-state school, and I applied to Hood to get her off my case.  I guess we know who won THAT battle!

When I finally made peace that Hood was my new home, I instantly noticed that everyone was so OPEN!  I had never been in an environment where EVERYONE down to the townspeople were so kind, patient, and welcoming.  It was something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie for sure—but I embraced it.  Hood literally thought of EVERYTHING:  having help to move into the dorms, the Big Sib program to have someone show you the ropes, the ALANA-I group to make students of color feel comfortable…just everything!  They even had a community for the commuter students!  If I knew nothing else, I knew Hood wanted me to belong; and that was why I decided to stay. 

Hands down Herr Scott Pincikowski has had the most impact on my success both during and after Hood.  He was my academic advisor, and he pushed me to really step outside of my comfort zone and to try new things.  I may have failed (miserably) at them, but I tried!  He also taught me how to be patient with myself, and to give myself grace for the moments when life became too much to bear.  To this day, I cannot speak a lick of German (properly), but I have shocked quite a few strangers when I randomly translate their conversations! 

Now Dr. Purnima Bhatt, she made learning about other cultures SO COOL.  She always had THE BEST stories!!  She and Dr. Kimberly Lanegran truly stoked my love of cultural experiences.  They are part of the reason I tapped into planning cultural weddings and events in my business!

My experience studying abroad in both Germany and South Korea were transformational—especially considering I did both the same summer!  Those programs opened my eyes to new ways of life, new patterns of thought, and new ways to be fat (I. ate. EVERYTHING)!  These were my first experiences out of the country, and I will always be indebted to Hood for opening my heart to the joys of travel and cultural exchange!

Interning with Guy Djoken and the Frederick Center for Peace was eye-opening.  That was my first experience really being on the ground, engaged in the politics of a community.  I acquired some serious transferable skills in that capacity—like how to turn keen observations into strategic actions.  I also learned the importance of community partnerships, thought leadership, and being fearless in your pursuit of justice and equity.  Plus, I got to enjoy the scenery walking up and down Market Street to their office and I have some killer calves to show for it!

My little heart was simultaneously hurt and HAPPY that Hood finally has a Global Studies major!!  And heaven help me…the dual BA/MBA program to boot?!  My pre-Hood major was International Relations, so I minored in Global Studies since the program did not exist yet!  I was ELATED to say the least—jealous, but elated!

Post-Hood, I had a come to Jesus moment with myself.  Life had not been too kind to me up until this point in my journey.  I knew I wanted to attend graduate school, but I refused to attend school if I did not seriously LOVE my concentration. 

I took a step back and conducted a self-assessment of the things that brought me joy during my time at Hood.  In doing so, I deduced that I really loved my cultural experiences and planning campus events.  I decided to take a gap year and found every random job and internship you could think of in the hospitality industry to see if I genuinely enjoyed event planning—AND I DID!  I ended up on the planning team for a 400-person gala for the exiting ambassador of Israel and I have been hooked ever since!

The most gratifying thing I have discovered as a business owner is that I am in the business of curating someone’s memories.  That is such a special honor and I do not take it lightly.  Planners must have an intimate relationship with each client to produce a meticulous, authentic event.  Because of this, their sacred moments become memories for me too.  I get to leave a piece of my heart in someone else’s happy memories.  Talk about unspeakable JOY!

The most challenging part of being a business owner is facing your own demons!  This experience is YOU versus YOU, day in and day out; facing your fears, embracing your failures, and enacting your faith while learning, adjusting, and trying again.  This is the most exhausting and exhilarating experience, and I’d have it no other way.

Hood poured into me FIRST, and I am returning the kindness and generosity.  Before I even stepped foot on campus, I won a study abroad scholarship that I used to spend a month in South Korea.  I was awarded a full Ring Scholarship because the selection committee noticed that I was the only person in my class to request a partial scholarship—and they felt that was such a thoughtful gesture.  My professors actually cared if I skipped a class or needed extra help.  And let’s not forget all of the free t-shirts!  Hood took the time to really curate a student-focused college experience.  Those memories and traditions are worthy of my time to help preserve.

“Hood is Home” means connection.  Hood is the first place where I experienced a community rallying around its students, and students rallying around one other.  A place where the President’s family dined in Coblentz with the rest of us (and where he jogged with the track team in his “Daisy Dukes!”). 

Hood was a place so engrained in its traditions that it was a coveted honor to EARN and wear a Hood ring—something many of my classmates still do daily.  A place where the traditions of yesteryear are just as significant now as they were at their inception, while empowering future generations of Hoodlums to create new traditions that matter to them now.

It is because of those incredibly fond memories and time-honored traditions that I entered the hospitality industry.  Everyone deserves to have their Hallmark movie moment. I was blessed to have four years of mine.