Today’s blog is an interview of Andrea Neely, BS’86, by Baindu Bayon, vice president of Neal Marshall Alumni Club.

When did you attend Indiana University and how would you describe the mood of the campus and the nation during that time period? How do you think it influenced your experience?

I attended from 1982 to 1986 at the IUB campus. It was a time of self-discovery as a young adult whose actions could impact the world through technology and we saw large economic growth. Michael Jackson’s Thriller was the album, Prince, Madonna and the voice Whitney Houston was on the airwaves…and on MTV and playing at all the campus parties. You could be YOU and it was ok, it was encouraged. This was a time on campus that I didn’t fear my life as a black educated female. I was living and experiencing life as I saw our country which was reflected on campus.

What is your fondest memory of Indiana University?

Performing as a member in the African American Dance Company on the stage of the IU Auditorium to a full house and then celebrating the spring concert at the Black Culture Center with my family, dance company members and Iris Rosa.

Delineate your career timeline – from your initial position after completing undergraduate degree to the current? Include points at which you added degrees.

Graduated with a BS in 1986…From 1986 – 1987 I was a substitute teacher, I took a year to really explore what I wanted to do with my career…in 1987 I went into mortgage banking and economic development with Merchants Mortgage of Merchants Bank in 1993 with the change in the mortgage lending practices and CRA I worked for Near North Development Corporation as the Program Administrator until 1995 then became the Executive Director of Real Estate Development with Community Action of Greater Indianapolis until 1997 when I launched Paige’s Inc. Over the next ten years my firm would raise over $10 million dollars and build affordable housing for seniors and low income families. This work and I would be acknowledged by President Bush during his visit to Indianapolis to attend the IBE Corporate Luncheon. In 2006 I became the Area Development Director of UNCF and would change the lives of students, families and communities through my work, in 2011 I was promoted to Regional Development Director and over the next seven years would grow UNCF to become a known resource for getting students to and through college. This work would lead to being on the development team that would secure $50 million the second largest gift to UNCF in its history, to date have raised over $80 million in support of sending students of color to college including to Indiana University

Some things have changed and others remain the same. Benefiting from your student experience, how would you advise an incoming freshman from a similar background as your own?

Stay focused and remember why you are there.

How valuable was Indiana University in the formation of lasting friendships and networking? How do you stay connected to friendships that started at Indiana University?

I am still in touch with my five college roommates. We attend Old School Reunion during homecoming each year, Circle City Classic and Little 500 where great reasons to get together and go down memory lane…now we travel together in and out of the US. I am still in contact with the members of the AADC who I danced with as well as Professor Iris Rosa to this day. This was a very special time in my life that forever changed me into the person I am today which began with the love of my family starting with my parents Gilbert and Evelyn Floyd who set the foundation for my future success!