Briana "Bri" Blackwood - Employee Spotlight

Bri Blackwood of Mount Airy has been working as a Student Success Advisor and Counselor at Surry Community College since May 2021.

Originally from Charleston, SC, Bri came to North Carolina and attended Salem College where she earned her B.A. in Communication. She then went on to earn her M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University.

Over the last few years, Bri has worked in different states gaining experience with a multitude of communities and backgrounds. While in college, Blackwood worked in youth development at several different YMCA locations. After completing graduate school, she then worked in home health counseling in New Orleans, LA.

Now that she works at Surry Community College, she has two roles that she serves when it comes to helping students.

“As a Student Success Advisor, I help students make a plan for their courses each semester and advise them through the completion of their degree. I'm an advocate for their success and do whatever I can to support them and help them reach their personal and educational goals!”

As a Counselor, Bri also provides support to students in need of counseling services. She says, “I help support students with any mental health concerns or needs as they navigate their personal and educational lifestyles. I also help students get connected to local mental health resources to ensure they get the necessary support for whatever situation that they are going through.”

Blackwood’s advice to students is that if you believe that you can do it, then you’re already halfway there.

Bri Blackwood can be reached at (336) 386-3226 or blackwoodba@surry.edu.

– Fun Facts about Bri Blackwood –

Mentor:

My role model has always been my Grandmother. Although she is not with our family anymore, the memory of her will live with me forever. She was such a wonderful woman and always took care of my grandfather, cousins, and family as a whole.

Top Three Favorite Movies/TV Shows:

1. The first half of Titanic

2. The Blind Side

3. Stranger Things

Top Three Favorite Phone Apps:

Snapchat, YouTube, and Spotify.

Top Three Favorite Foods/Meals:

1. Crab Legs

2. Mashed potatoes

3. Cheese Balls

Favorite Place:

Anywhere in the mountains, and I'm known to take a day trip to Boone, NC every once in a while.

Favorite Holiday:

Christmas, there is something so peaceful about Christmas lights.

Musical Interests:

My music taste is all over the place, but something about beach music brings me back to my youth and living by the beach. Overall, I like anything that sounds relaxing. Some of my most recently played artists include Iya Terra, Surfaces, and Leon Bridges.

Fun Trips:

I took a trip to Hawaii when I was in the 9th grade. I would love to visit there again as an adult. It's a beautiful place to be!

Favorite Quote/Mantra:

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style". -Maya Angelou

Pets:

I have 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Tanner and Boone and I also have a rescue dog named Reba.

Something That Not Many People Know About Me:

I am a huge ice hockey fan, and I grew up watching my brother play on travel hockey teams. I've been able to visit a lot of different cities while traveling with him and we've gone as far as Toronto, Canada to watch him play.

Hobbies:

Hiking, kayaking, fishing, cooking, and cuddling with my puppies!

Favorite Sports Team:

Carolina Hurricanes! Go Canes!

#SurryccPride #SurryccSuccess