Sheri Reid

Sheri Reid works for the Broward Campus Life Office in Davie as a Student Assistant. She began her studies at FAU in Fall 2017 and expects to graduate this December with a B.A in English and Concentration in Writing and Rhetoric. During her years at FAU, Reid has sought professional development through a variety of positions and roles at the Davie campus.

Reid started her professional development journey in Broward Student Government moving from SAVI (Students Advocating Volunteer Involvement) Coordinator to SAVI Director over a semester's time. She has had the opportunity to work with a variety of Campus Life entities and programs including hosting the Welcome Back Bash as the M.C., running the Broward campuses It’s On Us Campaign for 2019 and 2020, and facilitating workshops and speeches through the Elite Owl Ambassador Program.

Ultimately, Reid’s goal is to use her passion for writing, music and public speaking as a force for change. Reid says one of her greatest memories of working at FAU was during the 2019 iLead Student Leadership Conference. This was one of the first opportunities she had to share her personal story with the FAU community and the first time she ever gave a keynote speech.

"As a woman with many labels, I’ve found it difficult to show my genuine self to the world. It was much easier to be a Caribbean, First-Generation and LGBTQ+ woman in my creative writing rather than in person. But on that stage, I was able to share a piece of the journey that has made me who I am today,” Reid said. “Even better than that, I was able to encourage our students to be authentic to themselves and accepting of their peers. It is a moment that will stay with me forever and I’m thankful to the FAU community for providing me with that platform."

When asked where she sees herself five years from now, Reid, who was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, said: “This past year has shown me that the future is truly a sea of uncertainty,” Reid said. “I’ll ride this wave as best as I can, but I plan to be a published author and performer—whether in poetry, music or hopefully both—by that time.”

The challenges of the past months inspired Reid to write, Celebrate, a prose poem dedicated to the FAU Community. The poem was first read during this year’s Broward Achievement Awards.

"This year has really tested everyone’s ability to stay afloat in hard times. Knowing this, I wanted to give everyone a thank you for still trying to make our South Florida community and our world a better place," Reid said.

Celebrate

Celebrate, it’s a word we long to hear
After a tiring and tumultuous year
Through thick and thin, through sweat and tears
For one day, let us celebrate

We urge you, celebrate all that you’ve done
To win the battles that we’ve won
To lift up voices once unsung
Today’s the day to celebrate

I know we’ve still got wars to wage
When graduates walk without a stage
Into a world of pain and rage
You may not feel like celebrating

But we cannot ignore the song
Of all of you still holding on
Still showing up and standing strong
For you, I celebrate

Professionals, Assistant Deans
Always working behind the scenes
Still managing behind a screen
Still supporting us

Professors, TA’s, Facilitators
Strengthening pupils for something greater
Sharing wisdom, Activators
Who teach our future scholars

Mentors, interns, BSG
Building students of a different breed
Giving and giving until we succeed
You make us more than great
You make us want to celebrate

So let’s celebrate good deeds
When silence plagues our friends in need
We raise our voices, we take the lead
We make waves in our communities
We make our people celebrate

So when you see our red and blue
And feel their strength inside of you
Thank them for making FAU
A place worthy of celebrating