Name: Diondra Woodert
Hometown: Fayetteville
Major: Biology

Shortly after graduating from Terry Sanford High School, Diondra Woodert was packed and ready to head to Greensboro to attend North Carolina A&T State University. Her plans came to a screeching halt when the lack of student housing sent her back to Fayetteville.

Fortunately, Diondra accepted the disappointing news and turned the tough predicament around for the better, “I have no regrets about coming to Fayetteville State because the classes are small, so your relationships are more on a personal level. Also, I probably would not have joined ROTC if I had not enrolled at FSU. When I graduate I will be commissioned into the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant, and I hope to work as a physical therapist in the Air Force.”

Diondra says her father was in the Army, and she always wanted to pursue a career in a military branch. She is in her third semester of ROTC and attends the classes three times a week. In her position as a physical fitness officer, she rises before 6 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to demonstrate hour-long workout programs that she creates for her fellow ROTC members.

“It’s tough to balance everything, but I’m a student first and a cadet second.  I get my personal time in on the weekends.”

While noting that it certainly can be difficult to maintain her grades, participate in ROTC and enjoy her social life, Diondra admits that one of her greatest challenges since she's been at FSU was when she attended field training at Maxwell Air force Base in Alabama.

“It’s basically like basic training. It tested how much you can mentally and physically endure. Some people ended up quitting, but I'm glad I finished because I recognized how strong I am and how capable I am of doing anything as long as I have dedication.”

Dedication has definitely played a role in Diondra's university life. Aside from being a full-time student and an active ROTC member, Diondra works nearly 20 hours per week as a student tech in FSU’s ITTS Department.

”I’ve been working with ITTS for about two years. I started out as a help desk assistant, and now I provide tech support to students in the dormitories. I enjoy working with the people; my co-workers are easy to get along with, so the job isn’t too stressful.”
 
In fact, the easygoing junior doesn’t seem stressed about much at all. With all that she has to do, she still chats about “hanging out with friends” and “never forgetting to have the true college experience”.

Certain she'll never get sidetracked by her multiple duties, she affirmed, “What motivates me to continue with school is the fact that I’ll be the first female in my family to graduate from college, and I know my parents will be very proud of me.”