Darrion Wiley-Hunt
“The main thing that has made me successful here is the experience I’ve been granted to allow me to be authentic. I’ve been able to grow and learn so much based on opportunities granted from the person I am.”
Major: Public Relations, minor in Event Planning
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Involvement: Alpha Kappa Psi, VP of Peay Commerce, Achievers and Scholars Mentor, Govs Ambassador,
New Student Orientation Leader, Assistant to the Associate Director Admission
Over the past four years, Darrion Wiley-Hunt has been making a name for himself among not only the student body, but also the faculty and staff, as well as incoming students. Working with admissions, he is often one of the first people prospective students see when they become interested in or apply to Austin Peay.
“My time in admissions has shown me so much and opened doors all over this campus,” he said. “From helping the Office of Public Relations advertise for the university, to being a part of recruitment videos and giving campus tours, all have helped me meet many people and make them feel like family.
“I bring a creative twist and a lot of perspective to the team. I enjoy being around so many cultural groups, so that helps me know how to appeal to and draw different students in.”
As a Govs Ambassador, new student orientation leader and active member of multiple other organizations on campus, many students and faculty consider Darrion to be the unofficial “face” of APSU, a title he tries to uphold to the best of his ability with a personality he says he inherited from his grandfather.
“It honestly makes me bashful when people tell me that, but it’s a statement that I am honored to hear. It's a trait I get from my grandfather. He always carries himself in such high esteem with the passion to be good. I enjoy being positive, being kind and bringing everyone joy.”
Related:
- Graduate Assistant Derden serves veterans daily in Newton Military Family Resource Center
- Communication Graduate Malone used APSU experience to land Twitter internship
- Broadcast major Stamps found passion for anchoring with APSU Comm department
Darrion graduates this December, however he’s never forgotten his first experiences with Austin Peay, something that has helped shape much of what he is today. While growing in his social and leadership abilities thanks to his position with admissions, he has also tried his best to be healthy and has made that a priority over the last few years, successfully losing a great deal of weight during the process.
“The weight loss has definitely helped me prove a lot to myself. I showed myself commitment, dedication, and perseverance despite many times of feeling like I wanting to quit. It was not just a physical change for me but an entire life change. To inspire anyone who sets a goal and wants to achieve it, just remember, ‘it’s when things seem worst, that you must not quit.’ That small passage keeps me going every day.”
"I saw so many opportunities in groups and programs that would give me knowledge. I became willing to step in the front and lead as I felt more equipped to handle new duties.”
Even being so close to graduation, Darrion never shies away from taking any and every opportunity to try and convince students to check out APSU, and specifically APSU’s Department of Communication.
“I encourage anyone who has the willingness to learn new knowledge, is ready to have hands on work experience, and also ready to excel, to come join the department. The experience you will get is unmatched to other programs. Not to mention, you will always have that Gov support system forever.”
