Her Story
About Amanda
Amanda Gillam is a full-time student at the University of Phoenix pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Correctional Program Support Services (CPSS), with an expected graduation in May. She is on the Dean's List and was a recent nominee for the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Her studies focus on rehabilitation for youth, adults, and communities. Gillam has spent the last five years developing her vision for the Whippoorwell Foundation, a nonprofit community resource and mentorship center that pairs veterans with children and teens in need of guidance and support. She plans to open the first center by 2027-2028 and expand to three to five locations within five years, starting in areas such as the outskirts of St. Louis and Kansas City. Gillam attributes her drive to her faith, family, and personal experiences, and she emphasizes values of honesty, integrity, and kindness in her work. She advises young women entering the field to love themselves and never give up, noting that every day survived is a success and that challenges provide new tools for growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God and family, 100%. My faith, my grandma, and my children, along with the struggles I've gone through, have brought me to where I am today.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Love yourself. Don't give up. Whatever you do, don't give up. Every day that you wake up, you've had 100% success rate of surviving until then. Things can be hard, but with every hard thing that we face, we learn something else and gain another tool to put in our toolbox.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities include learning, which is a blessing, meeting like-minded people, and being part of something good to help others. Challenges include not knowing and having to learn from the bottom, and networking to find the right people to connect with.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, integrity, and kindness hold the top three spots for me in both work and personal life.
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