Ala’Torya Cranford
Brand Ambassador of HBCU Times Groups
Ala’Torya V. Cranford, is a native of Hartsville, South Carolina and a graduate of Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology in Darlington, South Carolina. Ala’Torya attended Paine College and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. She holds a Masters degree in Higher Education with a concentration in College Teaching and Learning and is currentlypursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban Higher Education from the Jackson State University.
With almost 10 years of experience in higher education in a variety of areas; she has served as an Admissions Recruiter, Director of Alumni Relations, Director of Student Activities and an Assistant Softball Coach; with each developing her professionally and personally to better serve today’s student. She currently serves as the First and Second-Year Programs Director at Fort Valley State University and oversee the New Student Orientation Leaders and Freshmen Welcome Week.
Her ability to lead and develop future leaders is reflective in her creation of a professional mentoring and college preparation program for high school students through a community-based organization she founded called TranspireOne. It was created with the dedicated purpose of mentoring and assisting individuals with self-discovery through exposure to positivity, possibility and purpose; that leads to personal, professional and leadership growth.
She has had many opportunities through TranspireOne, Inc. to share in motivational and public speaking alongside best-selling author, Stephan Labossier and television personality, Toya Wright. From commencement speeches, middle school awards programs, presenting for higher education conferences, conducting leadership trainings and making frequent appearances in high schools to discuss college is not the 13th grade to empowering young people and women there is no other purpose she would prefer to be on.
Ms. Cranford previous honors are: being listed as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Top 30 Under 30 by HBCU Buzz for her impact and achievements. She has also been acknowledged as an Outstanding Young Alumnus by United Negro College Fund (UNCF) National Alumni Council (NAC) for her commitment and support of her Alma Mater, Paine College, acknowledged her for her time as the Director of Alumni Relations and recently received The Annie R. Carthon Service Award at Fort Valley State University. She is also a recipient of the CSRA Shero Late Quincy Murphy Vision Award and a member of the sensational gospel group, Trey McLaughlin and the Sounds of Zamar. She is an Augusta New Leaders Council (NLC) Fellow, a Higher Education Leadership Foundation (HELF) Fellow, and presently serves on the board of directors for Creative Impressions and Georgia Shift.
A young lady of many accolades: academically, athletically, within the community and church. She enjoys music, laughter, family, motivating young people and traveling. She strongly believes, she may not have gone where she intended to go, but she thinks she has ended up where she intended to be with her faith and trust in GOD.