Reigning Miss Augusta University recalls Miss Georgia experience as a win in the game of life

Less than a month after obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Computer Sciences from Augusta University’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, reigning Miss Augusta University Cierra Williams fulfilled another milestone: competing in the 2023 Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition.

The event, which took place on June 17 in Columbus, Georgia, was the culmination of a nine-day whirlwind of pageantry Williams is still recovering from.

“I’m exhausted. It was a great experience meeting so many people, but it was rough waking up at 6 a.m. and in bed at 1 a.m. We practiced eight hours a day,” said Williams, one of 58 contestants in the annual pageant.

Williams was crowned Miss Augusta University on Sept. 30, 2022, making history as the winner crowned in the first joint pageant held for both Miss AU and Mr. AU.

The Miss Augusta contest falls under the Miss America banner, so when the 21-year-old native Augustan earned the title of Miss AU, she was immediately placed into the running for Miss Georgia and ultimately Miss America.

While she didn’t win Miss Georgia, the lessons she learned make her victorious beyond a pageant stage.

“I have learned resilience, being able to push through any adversity. Still pushing forward. To truly accept who I am and embrace it and not let anyone take that from me. This experience also taught me the importance of being genuine because so many girls compete for so long, they sometimes change themselves to fit the system. I wanted to change the system and not let it change me.”

Authenticity is Williams’s way of life, she said, having consistently been in the minority in the male-dominated field of STEM.

She said she works hard to exemplify women, especially Black women, who make up just 3% of the tech field workforce, also excelling in STEM. That same mentality carried her through Miss Georgia and fuels the far-reaching impact she hopes becomes her legacy.

“Coming into [Miss Georgia] was never about winning. That wasn’t my motive. I was excited to represent my school. I also understand it’s important for other women of color to see people who look like them on such a big stage. There’s been only three Black Miss Georgias since the pageant started in the 1940s, so I know my presence there mattered.”

Ironically, one of the questions Williams said the judges asked during competition was what the Miss Georgia organization could do to attract more women of color.

“I suggested starting with leadership. That’s what’s going to make change and influence more Black women. Be inclusive.”

Miss Georgia’s theme is “Talented. Educated. Empowered.” Williams said those tenets apply to all types of women and emphasizing them could be a turning point in the Miss America organization.

“I think Augusta University is representing this movement well, and I’m glad that I can be a figure helping to expand education,” Williams said.

Before her reign at AU ends in October, she plans to continue her platform to advance stem education in women and underserved populations.

As a digital network analyst for the Department of Defense, a position she secured prior to graduation, she’s excited to build upon a budding career and advance the tech field, while spreading a message of self-love and self-acceptance.

“Be yourself,” Williams said. “You don’t have to pretend to be something else. Hopefully that speaks to the next Miss AU.”