Raised by her grandmother in a home with seven other children, Elajah, known as Smiley to her friends and family, grew up understanding responsibility, resilience and compassion at a young age. When her grandmother’s health declined, she stepped into the role of caregiver. Elajah even taught her grandmother to walk again, making it possible for her to attend school meetings and remain actively involved in her life.
That early exposure to caregiving sparked a deep interest in biomedical science and health care. When it came time to consider college, Elajah was living in Florida and was unsure of her next step. A friend who was already attending Abilene Christian University reached out and recommended looking into the online programs. After meeting with an admissions advisor and learning more about the programs available, Elajah felt something click.
ACU’s Christian values were one of the biggest reasons she decided to become a Wildcat.
“I finished high school at two Christian schools, and I loved the vibe of being in a Christian community,” she said. “It’s easier to build community when you’re on the same frequency and not constantly navigating worldly views. I wanted that same feeling in college.”
Building a Foundation For Social Work
Elajah is now earning her Pre-Nursing Certificate with the long-term goal of earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. “I wanted to have something under my belt before jumping into social work,” she explained. “It’s an emotional degree program. I wanted to make sure I was prepared and that I could support and give back to my community in a sustainable way.”
Her coursework in the pre-nursing program has not only expanded her scientific knowledge but also strengthened her understanding of psychology and human behavior, which are also studied in social work. So far, Elajah is enjoying her coursework focusing on mental disorders like dementia. She explained that with her experience as a caretaker, she feels a personal connection to the material. “The classes challenge what I already know and force me to look at it from a different perspective,” she said. “I’m learning about gender, how we interact with one another, and how to be mindful about what we allow into our minds.”
Growing Confidence and Time Management Skills
Aside from coursework, Elajah loves that her program allows her to create her own schedule. Working full-time while earning her certificate, Elajah voiced that time is important to her and that she’s an extremely punctual person. Having her own unique schedule has allowed her to do well in classes and transformed her time management skills completely.
“ACU Online has helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect,” she said. From there, Elajah began to praise how ACU encourages spiritual formation for students by praying at the beginning of class, including a prayer request forum and more. “I love the opportunity to form a community and pray for other people,” Elajah said. “That’s special.” She continues to express how she’s seen her confidence grow through spiritual formation and meeting with her peers and professors virtually. “Recording intro videos and interacting with classmates pushed me beyond what felt comfortable at first. But it helped me build confidence.” Elajah said.
Trusting God With Her Future
When asked about her future, Elajah’s plans are clear. She wants to pursue her B.S. in Social Work and continue to serve on the student council. Elajah’s main goal is to be someone who can advocate for students who feel lost or have struggled with finding their identity. “I want to be a go-to person for students who don’t feel comfortable in their own skin,” she said.
One thing Elajah has made clear, despite having her future mapped out, she’s keeping God at the center of it all. When asked if she wanted to relay a message to students looking to attend ACU, she said firmly, “Stick to the script.” Elajah explained that while it’s important to have goals, to always let God guide them to where they’re supposed to be. “Being at ACU has helped me refocus. I’m putting my future in God’s hands and concentrating on what He has in front of me right now.” The plans Elajah had immediately after high school didn’t materialize in the way she expected, but she sees that season as a turning point.
When asked if she had another message to share, Elajah encouraged students to approach college with intention, “ Read the syllabus, follow the schedule, analyze it and write it down in your planner. If you need a tutor or extra resources, find or ask about them ahead of time.” From there, she emphasized that there’s no such thing as failure or setback and that they’re just part of the learning journey. The most important part of her advice was to seek connection with peers and professors. “Build a community,” she said. “You don’t have to be alone.”
Elajah “Smiley” Williams found her calling very early in life and has used that passion to pursue a higher education. Her journey with ACU is growing her healthcare skills and confidence to become someone who can lead and serve her community. If you’re ready to expand your knowledge, skills and faith to achieve your professional goals, consider Abilene Christian University. Visit our website or call 855-219-7300 to learn about our online programs.
