Giving back and honoring a legacy

For Adrienne Washington, supporting the School of Labor and Employment Relations is more than giving back. It’s about honoring a legacy that began long before her own time at Illinois.

Born in East St. Louis and raised near Chicago, Adrienne grew up surrounded by Orange and Blue pride. Her parents attended Illinois, as did all four of her sisters. It was a family tradition built on the belief, instilled most strongly by her grandmother, Leanna Randolph, that education opens doors. “She didn’t have the opportunities we had,” Adrienne reflects, “but she knew that education gives you options in life.”

Adrienne followed the family path to Illinois, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting. While she valued the business foundation her degree provided, she realized her interests leaned more toward the people side of business. Recruited into what was then the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations (now LER), she found her perfect fit.

“I loved that my courses were specialized in human resources and people management,” she says. “It paired perfectly with my business background.” An internship with the City of Champaign gave her early opportunities to apply what she was learning, setting the stage for a career spanning multiple industries and leadership roles.