Page 30 - Laker Connection 2014

staff profile
TAMEEKA HUNTER
EMPOWERING THROUGH THE DRC
Clayton State University is known for empowering its students. One indi- vidual who defines empowerment is Tameeka Hunter, assistant director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Hunter empowers students with disabilities.
“I am proud to work at a university that pro- vides such a quality education,” says Hunter. “Another thing I really love about Clayton State is the familial campus climate; there is a true feeling of community here.”
An Athens, Ga., native, Hunter has lived and worked in the Atlanta area for more than 10 years. In addition to her being a nationally-certified rehabilita- tion counselor, Hunter holds a master’s degree in re- habilitation counseling, which provides her with medical knowledge of various disabilities as well as additional knowledge on counseling interventions. Prior to Clayton State, she worked as a disability serv- ices specialist at Georgia Tech and has also worked by appointment as a disability affairs coordinator for the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office.
“Working with people who have disabilities is not merely a profession for me, but rather a passion,” says Hunter. “Early on, I realized I wanted to work with students who have disabilities.”
Hunter has demonstrated this passion and proven strong leadership skills throughout her work experience by being twice appointed to the Georgia Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). She was also named the 2008 C. Anthony Cunningham Council Member of the Year and was elected 2008 vice chair of the Council.
At Clayton State, Hunter enjoys empowering students by helping them to discover what is possible despite their disabilities. She enjoys working for a de- partment that provides high-level assistance to stu- dents with disabilities.
The DRC offers a myriad of services, accom- modations, and training opportunities for people with
disabilities, as well as the campus community.
As an individual with her own disability, cere- bral palsy, Hunter believes that empowerment comes
as a result of being an example.
“As a child growing up, I did not see many ca-
reer professionals who had obvious disabilities like mine. I decided that if I did not see an example, I wanted to be an exam-
ple for other people
with disabilities, and my desire to work with the disability commu- nity was born,” she states.
Being an exam- ple is exactly what she
did.
Earlier in her
employment at Clayton State, she met an undergrad- uate student who was concerned that he would have limited employment opportunities. Despite being ex- tremely intelligent and capable, he was nervous about how potential employers would react to his disability and worried that he would miss out on great career op- portunities.
Over time, Hunter and the student developed an amazing relationship that empowered him to go out and reach his goals. Hunter shared with him her road to obtaining a career as a person with a disability, and he confided in her because not only did she have the formal education in the field of disability, but she shares the same disability.
The student has since earned both his under- graduate and graduate degrees in psychology from Clayton State, and is now contributing to the Univer- sity in a professional capacity. His dreams have truly been made real. And Hunter is making her own dreams real by providing guidance and knowledge to others, with a disability or without, and empowering them to succeed.
_ Sarah Boyd
We equip students with
the tools, technology, and training
necessary to help them reach their full potential and achieve their goals. What I enjoy most about working in my department is helping students discover the power of possibility. I
enjoy being a catalyst for student discovery, empowerment, and self-advocacy.
28
THE LAKER CONNECTION