A student’s university experience is shaped by their involvement both in and outside of the classroom. For William Battle, The University of Alabama became a place to grow not only as a student, but as a leader in the campus community. Coming from Birmingham, Alabama, it was important for William to get involved at UA, but his freshman year, he found himself being pulled in many different directions, and he wanted his sophomore year to be different. He wanted to find an organization where he could really invest himself.
That is when William discovered Tide 2, a second-year program housed within Student Involvement. Here, he found a sense of purpose and connection that would define the rest of his time at the Capstone. Tide 2 is designed to support sophomores as they navigate one of the most transitional years of college. The program emphasizes leadership development, personal growth and intentional connections, helping students build confidence while discovering how they want to make a difference on campus. For William, the structure of this program created a space he could pour in and be filled.
“It means a lot to just put my all into one organization where I can focus on and gain experience and can get to know new people,” he said. “It means a lot to me to just be focusing and putting my all into this organization.”
Through cohort meetings, campus resource sessions and personal development opportunities, William began to find that sense of community he’d been looking for. Tide 2 introduced him to peers who shared similar goals and challenges, as well as staff and mentors who encouraged reflection, growth and engagement beyond the classroom.
That sense of belonging stayed with him long after completing the program. When given the opportunity to return as a Tide 2 ambassador, he saw it as a way to give back to the experience that had shaped him. He says being an ambassador means being visible, approachable and present. It means representing not just a program, but the idea that students belong at UA and have people who want to see them succeed. As an ambassador, he works directly with new students, helping them navigate campus life while building relationships rooted in trust.
One moment early in that role stands out clearly.
“We walked in with strangers that we didn’t know, and we just sat at a table,” he said. “And from just sitting down and having a conversation, they chose me to be their mentor. So just getting the feeling of somebody wanting you to help them grow, that really spoke [to] me.”
That experience solidified what mentorship meant to him. For William, mentoring is not about authority or having all the answers. It is about showing up consistently and creating space for others to feel supported.
“Playing a role in someone’s life as a mentor means a lot to me,” he said. “I’ve always had the mentality of treating others like you want to be treated, and I know I always want someone to look out for me, and so just looking out for someone, and knowing that they always have someone to count on and they can go to me if they need someone, I just loved it .”
Through those connections, he helps students realize that campus does not have to feel overwhelming. He encourages them to ask questions, explore opportunities and take advantage of the many resources available to them through Student Life.
“I would encourage students to get involved on campus if they don’t know where to start,” he said. “I would suggest going to mysource.ua.edu, and looking at the events and organizations, because campus is so broad, and we have 650 plus organizations, so it’s really a lot to get involved in.”
His involvement in Tide 2 also helped him grow as an individual.
“It’s helped me grow personally by knowing that I have an extra family on campus that I can ask questions to and depend on,” he said.
William’s dedication to Tide 2 and Student Involvement was recognized through the Exemplo Capstone Awards, which celebrate students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and engagement. The recognition came as a surprise, but it affirmed the impact of his commitment.
“I got nominated, and didn’t really know what it was for,” he said. “But once I heard my name announced and I heard the audience clapping, it really was a rewarding feeling, because I completed the cohort, not only one time, but twice. It just showed me that my hard work truly paid off in the end.”
As he prepares for his final year at The University of Alabama, William reflected on the legacy he hopes to leave behind. More than titles or awards, he hopes to be remembered for the way he showed up for others. For the students he has mentored and the peers he has supported, he hopes his story serves as a reminder that involvement can change the course of a college experience.