Mikella Hansley is a native of Swainsboro, GA. As a first-generation college student, she earned her Associate’s Degree from East Georgia State College, where she was very involved in the Criminal Justice Club, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Student Ambassadors. She worked directly with the city mayor and college president through her role as Vice President and Homecoming Queen of the Student Government Association. Hansley was chosen for the prestigious “All USA” Award by the college president and senators. During her time at EGSC, she was featured in the music video “I’m Not Lucky I’m Loved” by Jonathan McReynolds—her favorite artist.

She graduated early, with honors, and debt-free from Middle Georgia State University in December 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. During her attendance at Middle Georgia State University, she had the opportunity to work as the first paid African American female intern for the Police Department and District Attorney in Swainsboro, Georgia. She teaches college and success workshops and she has had the opportunity to share her workshops with prospective students in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hansley desires to pursue and complete law school for a Juris Doctor. Upon graduating, Hansley wants to establish scholarships to give back to East Georgia State College and Middle Georgia State University. She also wants to create scholarships specifically for African American students. “I plan to create an organization to assist high school students with the undergrad application process. The honor of receiving an education is bigger than me. I want others to be able to afford and have access to the opportunities I had and use them in ways that will benefit their future. I want to encourage people by showing success is achievable even if their circumstances are not favorable. I will be a world changer.”

She is a Christian motivational speaker – a Christ representor. Through “Mikella Speaks” and ministry “Millennial for Christ,” she has reached over12,000 people in 24 nations. In June 2020, she was featured in “The Word Network” magazine. Hansley is the first Swainsboro CTAE Video success story and the first from her hometown to speak to an intergenerational group of students and women at KYP and from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in two cities in South Africa (Soweto and Johannesburg). She is the first African American female to receive an internship with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (aka CBCF) from her hometown. She desires to bring more awareness to the underrepresented African American community. She became a member of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) in October 2020, and she won a scholarship on November 18, 2020.