Rachel Ezeamaka is a passionate and driven student, a young woman known for her academic diligence and Nigerian pride. She also reigned as Miss Cheyney University of 2020, the youngest and first sophomore to hold the title.

Now in her junior year, Ezeamaka is a biology/pre-med major attending the nation’s first HBCU on a full scholarship. She graduated from Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor and was also offered similar scholarships from a variety of colleges but chose Cheyney.

“I chose Cheyney not just because it has the distinction of being America’s first HBCU but also because of the outstanding medical program. It’s a sort of joke in the Nigerian community that Nigerians either become doctors, lawyers or engineers,” she said. “My goal is to go into neuroscience, which is a field I chose because my father was diagnosed with ALS. Seeing how much he suffered made me want to be part of the research looking to defeat this disease. He passed away in June 2018, a year before I came to Cheyney.”

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. Over time, nerve cells break down, which reduces functionality in the muscles. The cause is still unknown.

“I want to change that,” she said.

Ezeamaka’s parents immigrated from Nigeria; her father arriving in the 1980’s and her mother in the 1990’s. They met in America.

“To be honest, I was happy and nervous about Cheyney because I actually didn’t know it was an HBCU. I was used to going to predominantly white schools, so it was definitely something new for me,” she said. “Once I got here though, I knew I chose the right school. Cheyney has a sprawling campus, but it is a close-knit community, and the professors and staff really care about you. They want to see their students succeed.”

Ezeamaka enthusiastically stated one of her most important campus relationships is with her student success coach, Laura Vargas.

“Ms. Vargas has literally been my Day One,” Ezeamaka said. “She knows me personally in and out. She was there for me since my freshman year and helped mold me to become a better person. Also, she was there for me when I was really going through my reign as Miss Cheyney from the beginning when I decided to run till my very last day as queen. Up to now she still helps me in every possible way she can whether it’s academics, emotionally, spiritually, or physically.”

According to Ezeamaka, Cheyney University is an institution where a student is encouraged to grow academically. This past summer she completed a three-month internship at the University of Delaware studying environmental soil chemistry.

“I did it because I wanted to broaden my education,” she said. “I believe it’s important to grow intellectually. Doing an internship outside of your major makes a person more versatile and to always be willing to learn new things. Always pursue your goals. At the end of the day no one can limit you except yourself. Plus, just as important as education, study something that will bring you joy but also bring you success. College is for four years, and the worst thing you can do to yourself is study something that you don’t like especially if you have post graduate work to do. Cheyney University encourages its students to find themselves, to really understand what it is they want to do with their lives.”