Reflections on the Royal Charter | Aria A. Austin '21
Aria Austin is this year’s student speaker selected to reflect on William & Mary’s charter and to celebrate the university’s 328th birthday at the 2021 Charter Day celebration.
Growing up as a military child, Aria has traveled to and lived in multiple states, but calls Gainesville, Virginia, her home. As a senior at William & Mary majoring in government with a minor in English on the pre-law track, Aria has consistently been engaged in activities and projects that require her to think critically about how various factors impact our democracy, as well as how words have the power to affect policy, political ideologies and shape communities. During her junior year, she was selected as a research fellow for the pilot year of William & Mary’s Civic Agency Project, in which she conducted a phenomenological study to assess the need for a living wage for university workers. Aria is the current senior class president and has been involved in Student Assembly since her freshman year. She is the co-chair of the Academic Diversity Project and serves as a Diversity & Inclusion fellow for the Department of Government. Additionally, Aria is a member of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, Cleftomaniacs a cappella group, Syndicate hip-hop dance team, Students for University
Advancement and works in the Tribe Tutor Zone and Writing Resources Center as a writing consultant.
In her free time, Aria enjoys writing songs on her guitar, exploring Colonial Williamsburg with friends and fitting in a nap whenever possible. This past summer, Aria served as a legislative intern for Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02). When she graduates in May, she hopes to secure a job working on Capitol Hill before attending law school.
Aria has had the pleasure of being involved in the Charter Day ceremony throughout her time at William & Mary and has performed with the William & Mary Choir, served as a student volunteer and as a President’s Aide. She is honored to offer her reflections on the charter at her final ceremony as
a student at William & Mary.
