Caroline Cooley grew up in Georgia, but Tuscaloosa always felt like home. Her dad, his parents, and all his siblings had made The University of Alabama their college home. Her mom was a Tuscaloosa native, with her grandmother working in the UA Student Center—just like Caroline does now. The Capstone was a backdrop to her childhood. Caroline has baby pictures on the Quad, in the football stadium and at nearly every iconic UA landmark. To her, UA is more than just a place; it’s always been a part of her story.
This familiarity drove Caroline to carve out her own path, so when she first considered colleges, she was determined to break away. But something kept drawing her back, and it became clear there was no other choice – UA was where she was always meant to be.
“My dad was over the moon about it. He was so excited! I’ve never regretted that decision. It was the best thing for me, and I have loved it.”
From Sisterhood to Service
When Caroline arrived at UA, she quickly found a place in her sorority, forming a close bond with her sorority big. Through this relationship, she connected with upperclassmen in her pledge class who were well-established on campus, deepening her sense of community. By her sophomore year, Caroline felt ready to expand her involvement beyond her sorority.
She shared with her friends that she wanted to take on a more active role on campus, and one of her sorority sisters suggested the Camellia Center (formerly the Women and Gender Resource Center) where she got involved with the Greek Safe program. Her friend described it as an incredible opportunity to connect with others, get plugged in and make a meaningful impact. Inspired, Caroline knew immediately this was the kind of work she wanted to be part of and wasted no time applying to become an ambassador for the center.
“I just loved it. From the get-go, I felt like I was doing something that felt more important. I felt like I was able to add more to the campus. Coming to college is very new and offers you a lot of freedom that you don’t have in high school, and it’s important to talk about navigating that on campus,” she said.
Helping Others Find Their Place
As an ambassador, Caroline helps with tabling events across campus and provides students with resources and a listening ear when they need someone to talk to. She says it is rewarding to know she’s making a difference by guiding students to the help they need to thrive at UA. Even when students are hesitant to approach her for assistance, Caroline finds that promoting a resource like the Camellia Center feels empowering, knowing that she’s creating a safe space where they can find the support and encouragement they deserve. The Camellia Center connects students to a range of confidential services, including therapy, Title IX support, social workers, and any other resources they may require.
“When people come to the table or people just come up to me while I am at different events that we have and tell me something very deep or very scary for them, I love that I can help people on campus actually get somewhere they can get help,” she said.
Caroline feels a deep personal connection to the role she plays, knowing that others feel comfortable opening up to her, and she hopes to help others see that they truly belong at UA.
“I never, ever want someone to have any sense of ‘I don’t know who to turn to. I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know if people accept me’… but being able to turn around my experiences and make it better for other people makes me really happy, and it makes me excited to work with them and the [Camellia Center].”
The Community Connection
Being an ambassador at the Camellia Center has given Caroline countless opportunities to engage with Tuscaloosa and make the city feel more like home. One of her favorite memories is when they hosted the Tuscaloosa Girl Scouts, showcasing a variety of hands-on science experiments. It was a moment that not only brought her closer to the community but also allowed her to be part of something fun and impactful.
“Anytime we do something that involves the Tuscaloosa community, it makes me really excited, and I get really happy about it, especially knowing that my mom grew up here, and knowing she used to be one of those little kids… even though I’m not from here, it’s become a really important area to me.”
Launching Her Future
As Caroline prepares to graduate this May, she’s been reflecting on her time at UA and the experiences that have shaped her. Caroline majored in criminal justice and Spanish, with a minor in public policy. It wasn’t until she took a human trafficking class that she discovered her passion for law. That class ignited a desire to make a meaningful impact, a drive that was further strengthened through her work as an ambassador for the Camellia Center. In this role, Caroline developed the skills to navigate difficult conversations and confidently guide others toward the help they need. This experience has reinforced her desire to pursue a career that not only challenges her but also enables her to assist those who may feel too scared to seek help.
“I specifically want to go into immigration law, so I think that would be a field where I could use what I’ve learned… to help people move to America and start their life here,” she said.