Westfield State Alum Ayanna Crawford '98 Visits Campus to Share Insights with Current Students

Ayanna Crawford '98, a graduate of Westfield State, returned to campus on February 12, 2025, in collaboration with the Black Student Union (BSU) during a guest speaker event. As a native of Springfield, Ayanna graduated from Westfield State in 1998 and maintains a strong connection to the University. During her discussion, she prioritized creating a comfortable atmosphere for students by arranging their seats in a semi-circle, which facilitated more engaging interactions. She stated, "My primary goal when planning this event was to create a safe space where people can share their experiences and where we can learn from each other." 

Since her time at Westfield State, Ayanna has worked as a motivational speaker and educational consultant for various nonprofits and colleges. Additionally, she serves as the Chief of Staff for House Representative Orlando Ramos of Massachusetts. After earning a master's degree in education from Springfield College, she transitioned from education to politics after 25 years, showing no signs of slowing down! One of her well-known initiatives, a series she hosted called "Take the Mic," aimed to help younger girls develop critical speaking skills. 

We leave you with some important advice that Ayanna emphasizes: "What did you do for yourself today?" Thank you, Ayanna, for visiting campus; you are truly making a difference every day!