The Spring 2020 recipient of the Nell Hamilton Trotter Award is Pia-Milan Green, an Interdisciplinary Studies major with a concentration in Law and Society and a minor in Human Rights and Democracy. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Pia-Milan remembers fondly sitting at Freshman Convocation listening to the author of Enrique’s Journey and considering her own journey to the United States to pursue her educational goals. While far from her home, Pia-Milan held close the Jamaican saying, “wi likkle but we tallawah,” which means although Jamaicans come from a small nation, their untapped potential is their greatest resource. This phrase was Pia-Milan’s mantra throughout her time at Georgia State.
As a first-year student, Pia-Milan found ways to get involved on campus right away. She joined the Caribbean Students’ Association and served as the Public Relations Chair for the Piedmont Central Community Council. Her involvement in the Piedmont Central Community Council opened up the opportunity for her to serve as a Resident Assistant for University Housing for three years. Pia-Milan’s residents describe her as someone who takes her responsibilities seriously and treats others with the utmost respect and care. Many of her residents describe Pia-Milan as a role model because of her ability to juggle multiple co-curricular opportunities while excelling academically.
After her first year, Pia-Milan joined the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, which recognizes the top twenty percent of university students. She was selected to serve on the Student Judicial Board where she reviews cases of alleged Student Code of Conduct violations and recommends sanctions to the Dean of Students. For the last three years, she has been an ambassador for the campus through her role as a tour guide for the University Welcome Center and a member of the 1913 Society. In these roles, Pia-Milan has given countless tours to prospective students as well as served at numerous university functions. Her work with the 1913 Society was recognized when she received the 1913 Silver Shield Award for Service in 2019 and the 1913 Society Service of Excellence Award in 2020. In addition to these awards, Pia-Milan was recognized at the 2018-2019 International Student of the Year.
While Pia-Milan has been actively involved in campus organizations, she also volunteered her time with local and international community service projects. In 2018, Pia-Milan raised funds for the Georgia Innocence Project as well as served as a production assistant for the Mustard Seed Community, a non-profit dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable populations in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. In 2020, Pia-Milan volunteered with Central Outreach providing career readiness, digital literacy and resume building services through the Mainframe Program offered at the Atlanta office. As a member of the Eta Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pia-Milan also participated in the Atlanta Autism Walk, the KOTI Scholarship Pageant, Breast Cancer Walk, SKEE-WEEK Feminine Drives, Soles for Souls Drive, and Trees Atlanta.
While her presence on campus will be missed, Pia-Milan will be remembered by her peers as an outstanding servant-leader and dedicated scholar. Congratulations to Pia-Milan on being the Spring 2020 recipient of the Nell Hamilton Trotter Award.