Students, Faculty and Staff Celebrate Historic Victory at Swearing-In Ceremony

On this election day, Alabama A&M University alumna Michelle Watkins has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Black woman elected to the Huntsville City Council. Watkins took the Oath of Office on Monday evening, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters from Alabama A&M. President Daniel K. Wims attended the ceremony along with students from the Honors Program, and members of the faculty and staff.

Watkins broke new ground in September by defeating two-term incumbent Councilman Devyn Keith in a runoff election for the Huntsville City Council District 1 seat. 

“Start Here, Go Anywhere,” Watkins said with pride. “I started at Alabama A&M, I had great professors, role models, my mother graduated from Alabama A&M University, so it’s always been my desire to follow what Dr. Councill said, ‘Service is Sovereignty’ and this is service.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and District 5 Councilmember John Meredith were also part of the Oath of Office Ceremony. All three city leaders had a chance to speak to a packed council chambers in Huntsville City Hall. Watkins extended heartfelt thanks to her friends, family, and dedicated supporters, including her sisters in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., many of whom were in attendance. She expressed her eagerness to start making an impact on the council and to continue her long-standing commitment to service.

Watkins, a Management & Program Analyst for the U.S. Army Garrison at Redstone Arsenal, earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Master’s in Secondary Education at Alabama A&M. She previously served eight years on the Huntsville City Board of Education, representing District 1. Additionally, she has led as President of the Parent Teacher Student Association at Johnson High School, worked with the Junior League of Huntsville, and served the United Way of Madison County, the City of Huntsville Community Development Citizens Advisory Council, and the Alabama A&M University Youth Motivational Task Force.

Asked what her next step is in her new role, Watkins said, “I’m going to sit down, find out what’s coming to my district, what are the plans, and move forward with trying to get some things going in the district, as well as collaborating with Alabama A&M University, the most beautiful campus in North Alabama. We’ve got to do some things to make Alabama A&M more visible.”