In 2010, Lucy Boateng sat in an upper-level political science class and declared she would go to law school. This spring, that vision she held for her future is becoming reality.
“With any college experience, what you make it is what you get out of it,” Boateng said. “I came here with the intent to do certain things. … It’s been fulfilling because I came here with a plan and I went for it.”
Boateng says she is motivated by a desire to contribute to the growth of the judicial system one day.
“I developed a passion for law at an early age with the desire to see justice everywhere I went,” Boateng said. “This passion grew deeper as I got older through experiences that have helped me realize the reason behind it. I believe that everyone has a calling and mine is to advocate for others.”
On campus, Boateng can be found working for others through her work as a residents assistant in Humes Hall. As in most of the activities she discussed, Boateng’s focus is on her relationships with the people around her.
“It’s been so amazing in so many different ways,” she said of her experience. “Words can’t explain how amazing and impactful it’s been for me. The people that I have been able to come into contact with have really shaped who I am today and helped me grow in so many different ways.”
Boateng’s extracurricular involvement is extensive, including the Office of Minority Student Affairs, Catholic Student Ministry, SGA, the Black Cultural Programming Committee and several honors societies.
Mary Mahoney, the adviser of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, believes that Boateng has done an excellent job as the organization’s president.
“It has been a delight to work with Lucy Boateng,” Mahoney said. “Lucy joined Phi Eta Sigma in spring 2010 and immediately became involved as an officer fall of that year. Lucy takes her role seriously and works hard to be sure the members receive information and have opportunities to be actively involved in the organization.”
Mahoney said that she has seen growth in the organization thanks to Lucy’s leadership and enthusiasm.
“She challenges us to do more and find ways to serve the university and Knoxville community,” she said.
Boateng is excited to see her work pay off.
“It’s been really amazing,” she said. “Since becoming president, I’ve seen participation go up, which is every president’s dream.”
Outside of life in Knoxville, Boateng has worked to give back to her community in West Tennessee as well. During her summers in Memphis, Boateng worked as a law clerk at Martin, Tate, Morrow and Marston. She has also served as a fellow at the division of community enhancement in the Memphis Urban Fellows Program. While her experiences away from campus have been enriching, Boateng still refers to her experiences in management at the Black Cultural Center as broad.
“I was an office assistant and I was also a receptionist, so I was able to do a little bit of everything,” Boateng said.
Whether Boateng is shuffling sensitive documents for a law firm or pinning up glittery letters to a poster board in Humes, she works to advocate for the betterment of those around her. In essence, she’s a true Volunteer.
