How MSU’s FAME Program empowered Brianna McCray to overcome adversity and find her voice

October 25, 2024 - Brandon Drain

Before starting her first year at Michigan State University, Brianna McCray experienced economic hardship and bouts of homelessness. The shy, first-generation college student found immense difficulty navigating the overwhelming college experience as a freshman and was ultimately unsure of her place on campus.

Things began to change when she, despite her timid nature, attended an event hosted by the FAME Program, a community designed to support students like her.

“When I went, I thought: ‘I like this. I want to be a part of this,’” said McCray. “And that was when I met with Chiquita [Whittington], and we went through the process of me joining.” Through FAME, McCray was finally able to develop a sense of community on campus – something that she’d lacked during her first year, which led to her feeling disconnected with the university.

By connecting with other students who shared similar experiences and forming a strong bond with the program’s director, Whittington, McCray said the program “helped me come out of my shell and it encouraged me to do other things to get involved in other areas besides FAME.”

Entering college, McCray was a psychology major. But, after her first year, she switched to social work. Despite the switch, McCray still had doubts. “I questioned whether social work was right for me because I struggled with engaging with other people,” said McCray. After connecting with the FAME Program, and witnessing firsthand what an experienced social worker in the field looks like in Whittington, McCray grew more confident in her decision to change majors and pursue a career in social work.

"Chiquita is like a backbone,” said McCray. “She was my backbone; her experiences of being a social worker really inspired me to continue my education." As someone who struggled advocating and being a voice for themselves, McCray never thought she’d be able to become a social worker. “I’ve always been very quiet, and I just felt like in the past, I didn’t stand up for myself the way I wanted to,” she explained. “FAME, along with my undergrad experience, really encouraged me to want to do more of that.”

McCray took her newfound self-confidence and applied it to other aspects of her undergraduate experience. As a senior, McCray joined the FAME Student Advisory Board where she planned and hosted many FAME events – her first true taste of leadership. She later joined the board of the Association of Black Social Workers, further developing her advocacy skills. Through these experiences, McCray found her voice and developed a strong sense of agency. “I feel like I owe it to FAME for really giving me the opportunity to be a leader in a space I was more comfortable with first.”

As a senior, McCray graduated at the top of her class and was named the MSU School of Social Work’s Outstanding Senior. This is an honor that she still cannot fathom today. “It’s something that I’m still trying to process because it was such a big thing,” she said. “And people give me my flowers for that a lot, which I appreciate because encouragement really helps me.”

As a budding social worker, McCray offers that same heartfelt encouragement to current FAME students. “Don’t let your past define you,” she said. As a community of marginalized students, McCray emphasizes the importance of encouraging one another to embrace each other’s strengths. “I know that a lot of us in FAME come from hardship, and we’ve faced many obstacles, but I feel like they are strengths to build on,” she continued. "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."

McCray is currently in year one of her Master of Social Work program at the University of Michigan, with a focus in clinical social work. She gives credit to Whittington for pushing her to pursue her MSW and being a role model for her.

If you’re a first-generation student, or someone facing unique challenges at MSU, the FAME Program is here to help you succeed. Whether it’s academic resources, mentorship, or a sense of community, FAME offers the tools and support you need to thrive. Click here to learn more about the FAME Program.