BAM Profiles: Sheila Adams

Sheila Adams
AB, Sociology, 2005

Sheila Adams is a proud native of Harlem and the Bronx in New York City . As a Prep for Prep 9 alum, she attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut where she was a student-athlete, a peer counselor, student body vice-president, and the recipient of Choate's highest honor to a graduating senior, the School Seal Prize.

Once at Harvard, she immediately immersed herself in student government, quickly became a member of the Undergraduate Council's leadership on the Student Affairs Committee, and led a number of successful initiatives enhancing academic, residential, and student life at Harvard. Additionally, as Arts and Entertainment Chair of the Black Students' Association (BSA), she organized several social events, including Apollo Night, and helped guide a multitude of cultural, political, and public service activities.

She has also taught ESL classes to adult immigrants and served as a college counselor for underprivileged high school students. She currently works as a volunteer dealing with workers' rights issues at a Bra z ilian immigrant center and at a local youth center as a mentor to high school students.

In addition to her extracurricular pursuits, Sheila took on her first international experience by studying abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last spring. After earning her AB in Sociology this coming June she plans to return to Brazil on the Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship to do a public service project that provides educational and other resources to homeless children. After her year in Brazil, she plans to either teach through Teach for America or attend law school.

Sheila on mentoring: "I have to come to see mentoring as very instrumental in my own life. Consequently, I encourage younger people to seek out mentors, and I take every opportunity to pass on whatever advice and guidance I can to those who can benefit from it.

Sheila is currently being mentored by Felicia Rector '94, JD , and herself mentors Samantha Lucy Pierre '08.

Please welcome Sheila to the BAM family.