Student Profile: Hall

Student Profile ANDREA HALL

Waldorf online student Makes History

at Presidential Inauguration

BY ROB HILLESLAND ’87, SUMMIT-TRIBUNE | PHOTO BY WHITNEY M. WILLIAMS-SMITH

Waldorf University student Andrea Hall made history last week.

Hall led the Pledge of Allegiance at Joe Biden’s Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20. She also decided to sign the words for hard-of-hearing and deaf persons.

“We are extremely proud of the way Fire Chief Andrea Hall represented Waldorf University at the Inauguration,” said Dr. Bob Alsop, Waldorf University President. “Her decision to not only recite, but sign the Pledge of Allegiance demonstrated profound inclusivity.”

The Georgia resident was invited to lead the inaugural ceremony by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 3920 (South Fulton, Georgia) and the Biden Inaugural Committee.

Hall remains the first African-American female fire chief in the local fire and rescue department she has captained in Fulton County since 2004. She is also a living testament of the success of Waldorf University’s online education degree programs in the lives of busy people. “I have homework to do,” Hall said she kept telling reporters for days after the inauguration. “I work two jobs and go to school. The 4.0 grade point average I’ve earned has been hard to come by and so I am proud of it.”

Hall said the online education degree programs of Waldorf are perfectly suited to her situation. She said she completed extensive research before choosing Waldorf for her education studies with an Organizational Leadership major. She said that Waldorf’s mobile education platform was attractive and was highly recommended by people that she talked to about it. She is now in her third semester of studies through Waldorf.

In January 2010, Waldorf partnered with Columbia Southern University (CSU), an online university offering associate, bachelor's, master's and certificate programs. Waldorf then launched its first three online programs with the online offerings growing since that time.

Columbia Southern Education Group (CSEG) was created to help both schools share resources and expertise. Waldorf today offers a full slate of online certificate, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs in addition to the programs offered on campus.

“The importance of continuing education is why I decided to return to school at this age,” said the 47-year-old Hall. “It is absolutely one of the best things you can do for yourself as you mature. This is not my first foray into post-secondary education. I’ve paid for it out of pocket and done a little at a time before. (Waldorf) has been attractive for me because I have been able to pay as I go and not incur student loans.”

Hall noted that Waldorf staff and professors have been exceptional, saying she is having a great experience. She said that everyone she has communicated with from Waldorf has been so helpful.

“Because I have so many obligations, it really helps when they provide me reminders to post things that I might otherwise overlook,” she said. “I’m busy completing all of my core classes at Waldorf right now.”

Hall’s younger sister, Whitney WilliamsSmith, laughed about all the media attention making her sister nervous about getting her coursework done.

“She is the definition of a dedicated online student at Waldorf,” said Williams-Smith. “She prides herself on her level of commitment to Waldorf. She has been on the phone for about five hours today and when she gets off the phone she keeps saying ‘I have homework, I have homework’ so