My Grandmother Dreamed tells the story of a first-generation college student turned dropout and his determination to fulfill his grandmother's dream of receiving a college degree. After serval years of adversity, he was able to accomplish that dream. In the process, he found that several students suffered the same misfortune. His discovery encouraged him to seek a career in higher education. In this book, Willie recalls memories from his childhood, high school, college, and the life-changing lessons that he learned from his grandmother. Willie also shares his secrets to success in academia and how to attain the career that you always wanted. This book is an excellent read if you are planning to go to college, have faced adversity in college, planning to change careers or want to read a great underdog story. Willie L. Smith, Jr. is a leader in higher education and specializes in working with academically at-risked and first-generation college students. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Empowered Scholars Foundation, Inc. He was born and raised in Brooks County, Georgia, where he spent much of his childhood in the small town of Barwick. He graduated from Brooks County High School in Quitman. He is also a proud alumnus of Fort Valley State University, Southwest Georgia Technical College, and Valdosta State University. Willie's undergraduate studies include business management and technical studies. Willie also holds a master's degree in adult and career education from Valdosta State University. Currently, Willie is pursuing his second graduate degree, an education specialist degree in information, with a concentration in leadership and management, at Florida State University.

My Grandmother Dreamed tells the story of a first-generation college student turned dropout and his determination to fulfill his grandmother's dream of receiving a college degree. After serval years of adversity, he was able to accomplish that dream. In the process, he found that several students suffered the same misfortune. His discovery encouraged him to seek a career in higher education. In this book, Willie recalls memories from his childhood, high school, college, and the life-changing lessons that he learned from his grandmother. Willie also shares his secrets to success in academia and how to attain the career that you always wanted. This book is an excellent read if you are planning to go to college, have faced adversity in college, planning to change careers or want to read a great underdog story. Willie L. Smith, Jr. is a leader in higher education and specializes in working with academically at-risked and first-generation college students. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Empowered Scholars Foundation, Inc. Willie is married to his high school sweetheart Deandra Smith and is the father of three, Devontae, Deandre and Adanya. Willie is also a proud alumnus of Brooks County High School, Fort Valley State University and Valdosta State University.