Shreveport, La. – Southern University at Shreveport announced Thursday the opening of the Dynastie Nicole Williams Legacy Center, a new campus‑wide program dedicated to supporting young women as they pursue higher education and enter the workforce.
The center was created by Shreveport natives Tony and Tina Williams, who now reside in Arizona. Their gift honors their late daughter, Dynastie Nicole Williams, who passed away in April 2025 while completing her master’s degree at the university. “While starting that male center here at Southern University in Shreveport, we knew that we wanted to start a female center,” Tina Williams said at the unveiling. “We had no idea that our daughter Dynastie would not be here to see it. So in honor of our late daughter Dynastie, we thought it’d be fitting to do the center in honor of her. And so we are honored that her name gets to live in such a big way in this community.”
Program focus and services
The Dynastie Nicole Williams Legacy Center will provide a suite of resources aimed at helping women from under‑represented backgrounds succeed academically and professionally. Services include one‑on‑one mentorship pairing students with local business leaders, workshops on college application strategies, scholarship counseling, and career‑readiness training such as resume building and interview practice.
Financial assistance is also a core component. The Williams family’s donation expands an existing fund that previously supported at‑risk minority male students, now extending similar aid to female students who demonstrate financial need or academic promise.
Community impact
University officials see the center as a vital addition to Shreveport’s broader effort to strengthen the local workforce and retain talent. “We want to ensure that our graduates—especially young women—have the tools and confidence to stay in Louisiana and contribute to our economy,” said Dr. James Miller, president of Southern University at Shreveport. “This center aligns with that vision and honors a young woman whose own pursuit of education inspires us all.”
Local leaders echoed the sentiment. Shreveport Mayor Tom Barker praised the initiative, noting that “investing in our young women is investing in the future of our city.” The mayor’s office plans to collaborate with the center on internship pipelines with city agencies and regional businesses.
Looking ahead
The Legacy Center will launch its first cohort of mentees this fall, with plans to expand programming to include summer leadership camps and partnerships with nearby community colleges. The Williams family hopes the center will become a lasting tribute to Dynastie’s dedication to learning and a catalyst for other donors to support similar initiatives.
For more information about enrollment, mentorship opportunities, or how to contribute, interested parties can visit the university’s website or contact the center directly at (318) 555‑0123.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
