Fayetteville, Georgia native and University of Virginia (UVA) Alum Dasmen Richards is a first year adviser at Randolph-Henry High School (R-HHS).

According to a press release from the University of Virginia, “Thirty-six graduates from 2017 and 2018 make up the corps. They will spend the next academic year in Virginia high school counseling offices, working with students who might otherwise not think about higher education. The advisers help students navigate financial aid questions, arrange college visits and assist with college preparation.”

The release said it is the job of the advisers to help the high school students explore their options.

“I’m always helping someone,” said Richards.

She said her main goal for the two years she will be working at R-HHS is to bridge the gap and increase the college culture at the high school.

Richards said sometimes affordability scares people, however, she is trying to get as many students in college as possible and provide assistance in finding grant and scholarship options to assist with the costs.

“We are very excited to have Ms. Richards here to work with our students for the next two years,” said Randolph Henry’s Principal Dr. Scott “Shep” Critzer. “The landscape of post-secondary opportunities is constantly changing, and I believe that Ms. Dasmen and this program will be very beneficial to our students as they plan for their futures.”

Richards said her motive for the program was wanting to give back.

“I wanted to give back in some way and I think this is a perfect opportunity because I will be able to share the resources and tools that I know to matriculate students into higher education,” said Richards. “Higher education is something that I am very passionate about, so this job would not only be impactful for the students but for me, as well.”

Richards is a 2018 foreign affairs and African-American studies graduate.

“Being a college adviser means so much to me because I know I would have some influence on students by helping them choose what college or post-high school path is best for them,” Richards said. “I believe that being a college adviser will continue the importance of education by advocating and encouraging matriculation into college. In addition to encouraging future high school graduates to use their talents and abilities to go into the workforce.”

Richards is a graduate of Fayette County High School and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in educational policy with a focus on social inequity, said the release.