Few people in Gary have connections across education, community organizations and leadership quite like Diava Carter.
Gary native Diava Carter is the director of Career Services at Indiana University Northwest and has spent more than 15 years working in education.
She also serves her community through the Gary Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and as a board member of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana.
Carter, a graduate of Lew Wallace High School, said her Gary roots inspire her to mentor and encourage others, adding that representation is more than titles because it reflects how far the city has come and how much further it can grow.
“I love my city, born and raised, 219, all day, every day, and I love to say that I am from here,” Carter said.
Gary roots and an HBCU foundation
Carter said attending a historically Black college or university was a lifelong goal, one that became reality with the encouragement of a respected Gary educator.
Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Kentucky State University in 2007, a school she proudly calls “the best” HBCU.
She credits the late Coach James “Piggy” Piggee, a former Gary track and basketball coach and educator, with helping make that dream possible by taking local high school students on college tours that exposed them to opportunities beyond Indiana.
“Just from attending that college tour that Coach Piggee took some high school students to, that’s why I chose Kentucky State University,” Carter said.
Carter said her time at Kentucky State University helped her develop strong networking and relationship-building skills by connecting with students from Florida, Tennessee, Ohio and around the world.
She said she also values the university’s rich history and the diverse perspectives she experienced while on campus.
“The rich history, the traditions, the fundamentals behind it, now I’m a part of that legacy,” Carter said.
A career built on service and connection
After graduating, Carter began her professional career with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Carter said her passion has always been serving others, and she finds fulfillment in helping people pursue their career goals by connecting them with opportunities and guiding them toward their aspirations.
“My entire professional realm has been with career services,” Carter said.
“It’s all about connections, relationships, and getting everybody to understand who you are, knowing your story and your journey, so that’s how I’ve been successful in career service.”
Carter said one of the most valuable parts of her professional journey has been having a mentor. She encouraged others to seek professional mentors, saying the guidance and support she received have played a significant role in her career growth and development.
“My mentor stayed connected with me, telling me the good, the bad, the indifferent and suggesting the rights and wrongs,” Carter said.
Returning home for family
Carter said returning to Gary in 2023 to care for her elderly parents was driven by a commitment to family.
After serving in Career Services at Ivy Tech Community College, she joined Indiana University Northwest, where she now serves as director of Career Services.
She recalled bringing her father into her office and seating him in her executive chair, describing the emotional moment as a reminder of the sacrifices her parents made to help her achieve her goals.
Her father became emotional, a moment Carter said she will always cherish.
“I told him, I said, ‘Daddy, this is you; you sacrificed all the things for me to be able to sit in that chair, so I said, ‘Daddy, you enjoy it,’” Carter said.
“And you know, he just, and that’s what every parent wants. They sacrifice so much to see their child grow up and develop. And you know, now it’s my turn to make sure I do that in return as they get older,” she added.
Helping students discover their potential
Carter said her passion for helping others continues to motivate her both personally and professionally.
She said the most rewarding part of her work is seeing students discover their potential and experience “aha” moments as they recognize skills and abilities they did not realize they possessed.
She said she strives to serve as a support system, helping students build confidence and pursue opportunities that align with their goals.
“You have to understand yourself and assist them and be an asset to the students in learning who they are, learning their likes, learning their dislikes and assisting them in that manner, then it’s like a light that comes over the students,” Carter said.
Carter’s mission is rooted in being available to serve others whenever she is needed. She said she believes one of the keys to her success is showing up, building relationships and supporting anyone who reaches out for guidance.
She also emphasized the importance of taking time to listen to students, saying meaningful conversations help her better understand their goals and connect them with opportunities that fit their needs.
“If we would just take the time just to listen, not to just talk, not to direct, not to tell what to do, but just listen to a person’s story, listen to a testament, and just be able to share, and that’s how you connect. So that’s what I will always remember,” Carter said.
