Why we should redefine prestige in higher education | Akil Reynolds | TEDxUF

Mainstream college ranking platforms often give us an idea of who holds the titles as the most prestigious higher education institutions. In this talk, University of Florida Black Student Union President Akil Reynolds takes us on his journey of what his understanding of college prestige means and challenges us all to redefine it in terms with social justice principals. Akil Reynolds is an undergraduate senior, graduating May 2019 with a Bachelor in Public Health and a minor in Health Disparities in Society from the University of Florida. He is originally from Cresco, Pennsylvania (located in the Pocono Mountain, PA) but graduated from Terry Parker High school in Jacksonville, FL. During his tenure at the University of Florida, he has served various populations on and off campus through his involvement as a student intern at the Alachua County Health Department, Residential College Advisor in the Hume Hall Honors College, and a Wellness Educator with the GatorWell Health promotion. Akil also served as a Director of Gatorship, a social justice and diversity retreat, which he attributes to being the awakening for him on his justice-oriented advocacy journey. In Akil’s current role as the Black Student Union President he serves as a black student advocate where he also focuses on inter-community healing. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx