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.
Adrienne’s professional journey began in the aerospace and defense sector, where she spent more than 20 years in roles ranging from HR business partner to overseeing international compensation. She valued the structured training, the strong community of HR professionals, and the chance to work across multiple disciplines. Later, she worked as a consultant and coach before becoming Vice President at the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.
Through each chapter, Adrienne held on to the values her grandmother championed that inspired her to establish a scholarship at LER. She also points to the Exxon fellowship she received during graduate school as a pivotal influence. “I probably wouldn’t have gotten my master’s degree without that support,” she says. “I wanted to pay that forward to students who need the same kind of help.”
Adrienne’s vision for her scholarship’s impact reaches beyond financial assistance. She hopes it will help future HR leaders uphold the human element in the workplace, even as technology reshapes industries.
“Empathy, passion, and purpose are irreplaceable,” she explains. “We need to make sure innovation never comes at the cost of people’s dignity.”
Adrienne Washington, AM 96
She also encourages fellow alumni to remember that giving back doesn’t have to mean a large gift. “Don’t feel uncomfortable about giving what you can, when you can,” she advises. “Sometimes it’s as simple as skipping your coffee for a week. Small contributions add up, and you never know whose life you might change.”
With her scholarship fund, Adrienne will meet her first scholar this fall. It’s a milestone that blends her family’s enduring commitment to education with her dedication to LER and the next generation of HR leaders, ensuring that her grandmother’s values will continue to open doors for years.
The LER community is fortunate to have alumni like Adrienne, whose generosity and dedication ensure that future generations will thrive.
If you’re inspired by Adrienne’s story and would like to support student scholarship opportunities, please contact Cory Hatfield at coryhat@illinois.edu or 217-300-2056.
