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Some Cheyney University students take disparate paths to arrive at the school, and once they arrive, even those with similar career goals often find themselves with very different educational experiences.

Khadija Pearson, Esraa Ebraheem, and Victor Wright are all headed to medical school, but the backgrounds that brought them to Cheyney couldn’t be more diverse. United by a dedication to and passion for the school, together they exemplify the many possible pathways for Cheyney students both before and after matriculation.

 

Khadija Pearson: A Leader on the Court and in the Classroom

When asked why she chose Cheyney University, Khadija Pearson said it was in her blood.

“I have always possessed the hunger to attend Cheyney University,” she said. “Being a [Cheyney] Wolf has been in my blood for generations. My Cheyney legacy began with my mother, two aunts, uncle, and cousin. They all attended our illustrious university.”

Because of her prowess in and love of basketball, directly after high school, she chose Grambling State University. But with strong grades and skill with the sport, she transferred to Cheyney with a scholarship as part of the Keystone Honors Program and the women’s basketball team. This allowed her to expand her skillset and join a highly competitive team that challenged her and allowed her to continue doing what she loves.

“Outside of allowing me to expand my performance on the court, I was also able to make monumental shifts in my thinking and preparation for medical school,” she said. “Cheyney’s cultivated legacy of success and determination is something I will take with me as I complete medical school. I will always cherish the HBCU culture and everything it offered me as a Black woman on her way to achieve her dreams.”

In addition to being accepted as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Pearson said her major was incredibly challenging. To balance coursework, basketball, and a social life, she had to find resources that would help her succeed at all levels. School always came first, so when things got difficult, she sought help at the Academic Success Center. Its resources became an integral part of her daily routine.

“We were a family that helped each other succeed and reach our goals,” Pearson said. “Without the support of the tutors and mentors there, I would not have graduated summa cum laude, got into graduate school, or had the opportunity to tutor other students and inform them of the great opportunities Cheyney University had to offer. It changed my life and kept me on track.”

But she was always mindful of balancing her coursework with her time on the court.

“Being a student-athlete was very demanding because of the commitment I had to make to the team along with my coursework,” she said. “College basketball was a year-round task that developed my leadership, organizational and communication skills. I faced a number of adversities and injuries that opened my eyes to the fact that life is more than just sports. Life is also growth. I loved being a collegiate athlete and building the trust of my coach, all of which allowed me to represent my school as a leader and grow as a team player.”

According to Pearson, having a mother who is a Cheyney alum was the driving force behind her interest in medicine. She vividly recalls her mother’s stories of having her books spread out as she studied for her exams. That influence nurtured her interest in medicine and inspired her to pursue a career as a physician.

“When I made the conscious decision to pursue medicine, my mother worked to always place me in progressive and beneficial spaces that moved me toward medical excellence,” she said. “These spaces expanded my interests and built a fire in me that led me to maintain academic excellence while obtaining my CNA license, my clinical rotation hours at Suburban Hospital, and a three-year internship position in Meharry Medical College’s BS/MD program. Upon my completion of a master’s in biomedical sciences from the University of Pittsburgh, I will attend medical school with the endgame of a long-lasting career in pediatrics or family medicine.”

 

Esraa Ebraheem: Learning Firsthand the Difference That a Caregiver Makes

Future physician Esraa Ebraheem said an academic adviser at Delaware County Community College encouraged her to apply to the nation’s first Historically Black College or University. Ebraheem, an immigrant from the southern regions of Egypt, also applied to Temple University and West Chester University and was accepted to both of them. However, after a tour of the campus and learning more about the rich history of the institution, she knew she belonged at Cheyney.

“I could not turn a blind eye to this amazing place,” she said. “I am an immigrant who came to pursue the dream of becoming a doctor. I needed a university that would believe in me and my potential. As I transitioned to Cheyney University I met the amazing faculty, students, and staff. I felt like I was part of this place and I realized I made the best decision for my family and myself. When I got accepted to Cheyney University I felt like I was over the moon.”

Ebraheem joined the Keystone Honors Academy and received a full scholarship. But the transition wasn’t always easy.

“I have a language barrier,” she said. “I had to become accustomed to different cultural foods, adjust to the various seasons. However, because of the support system, I persisted, and overcame all my fears.”

On-campus, Ebraheem familiarized herself with various support from distinguished professors, students, and the academic center. She worked closely with Irma Aguirre, the executive director of student affairs, and with admissions counselors in the undergrad admissions office.

“Their words of wisdom, daily encouragement, made me feel as if I could conquer the world,” she said. “I feel honored and beyond blessed to have gotten to know so many brilliant people. I look forward to continuing a friendship with all of them.”

Ebraheem’s interest in medicine began when she was five years old. Her entire family had a passion for the sciences and reading was encouraged. Her mother was extremely firm about education and continually motivated her to be the best she could be, and inspired her to follow her dreams.

“My parents got divorced and we moved into my uncle’s house. My uncle was suffering from complete paralysis and I witnessed daily his struggles with emotional and physical pain,” Ebraheem said. “I became emotionally attached to him and wanted to assist him in any way that was possible. He was a father figure for me and although he was a patient with needs, I never saw his illness as an ailment.”

His caregivers inspired her, she said. “I saw doctors, nurses and therapists in our home daily. I observed the differences between his before and aftercare once the doctors departed our home. When the medical professionals arrived, I would see my uncle transform right before my eyes. He would go from experiencing pain and suffering to comfort and calmness in an instant. He trusted the medical personnel with his progress and life. As I observed them, I knew that I had to be part of this.”

Following her work at Cheyney, Ebraheem plans to specialize in neurology. “I feel prepared and ready for medical school thanks to Cheyney University. I’m also better prepared socially, and my academics are superb. I will become an amazing neurologist one day and I have Cheyney University to thank for that.”

“It will happen,” she added. “Cheyney University changed my life and I thank the faculty, staff, and also my fellow students. They embraced me as if I were one of their own and I am eternally grateful. The family of Cheyney University saw me at my weakest and helped me grow. They believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.”

 

Victor Wright: Studying the History and Future of Medicine

Cheyney student Victor Wright always wanted a career in which he could help other people. He was interested in becoming an attorney, but was really good at science and began cultivating an interest in the biosciences, particularly biology. Wright graduated from Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, and Cheyney made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“They offered me a full-ride scholarship,” he said. “My academics were excellent, and I came in with 15 extra credits when I graduated from Boys’ Latin. I was able to attain those credits from different internships and a dual enrollment at the University of Pennsylvania. My internship at the Perelman Center involved giving a comforting hand to cancer patients. It was very rewarding.”

Wright engaged in multiple internships while at Boys’ Latin in preparation for his post-high-school education. One of those internships involved studies at the Mutter Museum at the College of Physicians. The Mutter Museum’s education program is geared toward middle and high school students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and partners with area schools to expose students to the wide variety of careers in healthcare and biosciences.

“The Mutter Museum is basically a cadaver museum and so much more. It’s the first and largest museum of medical knowledge,” Wright said. “It’s a museum of medical history. They have preserved collections of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments. It was a way for general medicine to be studied at the time. They have skeletons of the tallest and smallest people who ever lived. They have preserved Albert Einstein’s brain. It was an amazing experience.”

At Cheyney, Wright pledged Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and is a biology major and a peer influencer in which he can mentor freshmen. He also worked in the campus aquaponics lab. Part of Cheyney’s vision for its future involved the creation of an academic and professional specialization in the culture of growing aquatic animals and plants in controlled environments. The Aquaculture Research and Education Laboratory was founded in 2003 to prepare students for emerging 21^st-century career opportunities.

“I’ve been accepted to the University of Pittsburgh, where I’ll be studying to become an anesthesiologist,” he said. “Cheyney University was seen by some people as being down for the count, but it’s strong. I’m proud to be here and to be part of Cheyney’s continuing legacy of forward-thinking, visionary young Black men and women.”

For those who dedicate their careers to public service and supporting their communities, there is always another chapter to scribe and goals to achieve. For Cheyney University student Claire Lane, she is on her way to completing another stage in her life, which is already full of professional and personal accomplishments focused on helping those most in need.

Lane, who has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement and criminal justice, will graduate in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in social relations with a concentration in criminal justice. She enrolled in Cheyney in the fall of 2019 with an associate degree in criminal justice under her belt from the Community College of Philadelphia.

“I chose these particular studies at Cheyney because I wanted a broader perspective of criminal justice and I knew a degree in social relations would provide it,” said Lane. “I always wanted to attend Cheyney because I understand the value of our HBCUs, and it has been the best experience of my life.”

Miss Claire, as her fellow students call her, knows something about the criminal justice system. She is a former Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) officer who rose in the ranks to become a detective and served on the force for more than 20 years. When she retired from the PPD, she immediately joined the Defender’s Association of Philadelphia as an investigator and has been with them ever since, even while she was a Cheyney student.

Upholding the law and providing support for those who need guidance through the judicial system is something that has been part of the Lane family. Lane’s daughter is the Honorable Judge Timika Lane, who was first elected in 2013 and handles major trials in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas’ Criminal Division.

“My mother didn’t stay retired for long,” said Judge Lane. “After leaving the Philadelphia Police Department she couldn’t stay still and was retired for about two weeks before joining the Defender’s Association.”

“When she told me she was thinking about going to Cheyney, she said she thought she was too old to go back to school. I told her she absolutely can do it, that age has nothing to do with it. I’m so proud of her.”

Lane spent a lot of time talking with Kizzy Morris, University Provost & Chief Academic Officer, who provided a lot of support and encouragement.

“Because of my age, I was a little intimidated at first, so I was asking questions about everything. Everyone, from the teachers, to my fellow students were so helpful and supportive,” said Lane. “I asked questions constantly in all of my classes and what I noticed was after I was asking questions, my classmates would start. That’s how we learn, and all of my teachers encouraged that. The students come first at Cheyney.”

Cheyney’s Social Relations program provides a broad liberal arts background that prepares students for graduate training in any number of fields. It also provides a base for pursuing a career in law, law enforcement, justice administration, and other social science-related professions. It provides a path to establishing careers that can positively impact all communities.

The women of the Lane Family embrace the perspective of setting high standards for themselves and serving the community.

Judge Lane, a graduate of Howard University and Rutgers University’s School of Law, is the sole judge handling human trafficking cases in Philadelphia and is currently running for a seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court. She has extensive trial experience as a judge and attorney and a lifelong commitment to public service and justice. Values, she said that she learned from her mother.

“I’ve always had a passion for service to the community,” said Judge Lane. “My grandmother worked in a cafeteria and she was someone the neighborhood knew they could go to if they needed help. We were taught that you don’t take from the community without giving something back.”

Judge Lane continued, “In addition to focusing on her own coursework, my mom helps a lot of students because that’s the type of person she is.”

Under the visionary leadership of President Aaron Walton, and with the support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Cheyney is on a clear path to a brighter future, providing unique academic opportunities for all students of all ages and experiences.

“I’m the kind of person who always has to be involved in something,” said Lane. “One thing that I’ve learned in my life and something that my experiences at Cheyney has served to reinforce in me is that you have to be the change you want to see in the world.”

Sharlet Kennedy-Blalock determined that when the pandemic required her to stay at home, she would use her time to complete online the degree that she initially pursued at Cheyney University more than a decade ago. Now, 10 months later, she completed the remaining courses needed and is submitting the final paperwork to capture her work and life experience credits that will complete her degree and become a Cheyney graduate.

“I wanted to practice what I have been preaching to my kids by finishing school and getting a diploma,” said Kennedy-Blalock. “It was perfect timing to take advantage of the opportunity while having to stay at home and finish what I started.”

She was supposed to graduate from Cheyney in 2005 but was two courses short of her diploma. At that time, she decided to take a year off from her studies so she could work at a job that was offered to her. According to Kennedy-Blalock, life happened, and the two courses she needed to finish grew further out of reach, along with the additional requirements that were added to the course catalog over the years.

“Over time I put myself on the back burner,” said Blalock. “We are a busy family with three kids who are involved with football, dance and track. The pandemic kept our kids at home for remote learning and on an asynchronous & synchronous schedule. I was able to help them with their schoolwork while also completing my own course work.”

She made phone calls at the end of March and researched what she had to do to complete her degree. Through the support of her adviser, Dr. Vincent Miles, a professor of social relations who was also her adviser 15 years ago, and many other staff members, Kennedy-Blalock finally earned her bachelor’s degree in social relations this fall and will be celebrated in the spring semester graduation ceremony.

“Dr. Miles has always been a huge part of encouraging me and went the extra mile to help with the registration process so I could earn my degree,” said Kennedy-Blalock.

According to Dr. Miles, who has been instructing at Cheyney for 24 years, once a student steps away from college and starts having a family and mortgages, it’s difficult for them to stop and come back.

“Sharlet came back to Cheyney highly motivated,” said Dr. Miles. “She made a major life commitment by taking college courses, being a mom and helping her kids with remote learning all at the same time. She uses her life with her children as an example of working hard and doing it right the first time.”

She also credits Kizzy Morris, University Provost & Chief Academic Officer, and Daneisha Allen, Director of 1st Year Experience/ Orientation, for helping her to sign up for courses and providing emotional support as she worked her way back into the classroom and studies.

Her degree will enhance the professional experience she gained over the years working in social relations. She has already established a career in health and social services helping those in need of all ages. For the last five years, she has been an independent living coordinator working with young adults in and aging out of foster care.

For Kennedy-Blalock’s family, Cheyney University has become a place of tradition and love.

Kennedy-Blalock will be expanding her family’s Cheyney alumni status, joining her husband, Gary (’05), whom she met on campus when she was a student in 2001. She was a cheerleader and Gary played football. Gary’s parents, who didn’t attend Cheyney as students, also met at the campus many years prior.

“I initially chose Cheyney because of the family-like environment,” said Blalock. “It has always felt close-knit, like a family. My best friends to this day are those I met many years ago on campus. Alumni stay active and connected and provide support for one another.”

“I also selected Cheyney because it was very important to me to be part of the country’s first HBCU.”

Cheyney University’s low student-to-teacher ratio allows staff to provide more attention and support to each student. It also creates a more welcoming environment for non-traditional students, especially those who are first-time college students.

“One of the best qualities about Cheyney is the environment we provide for each student,” said Dr. Miles. “Non-traditional students bring a level of experience that helps younger, novice students come to class more focused to work. It can create a more balanced classroom, helping everyone remain focused on their careers and what they need to do to reach their goals.”

Dr. Miles continued, “There are many students at Cheyney like Sharlet that don’t recognize their diamonds until they walk across the stage and their development to shine.”

Blalock and her husband will be celebrating 10 years of marriage next year. They regularly let their children know how much Cheyney means to their family. “You wouldn’t be here without Cheyney University,” they tell their kids.

Blalock’s next goal is to enter a social work master’s program, and she is currently looking at Delaware State University.

She wants current and future Cheyney students to know it is important to prioritize yourself and to make the most of being a student at the university.

“It’s okay to be selfish when the goal is education,” said Blalock. “Keep your eye on the prize and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

Photos by  Blake Saunders, @blakethebrain on Instagram

From left to right: Dr. Larry J. Walker, Tiffany M. Wilson, and Bryan N. Phillips, J.D.

During the final Board meeting of 2020, two members including Dr. Larry J. Walker 96’and Tiffany M. Wilson were selected to become Chair and Vice-Chair of the Foundation. In addition, Bryan N. Phillips, J.D. 93’ was nominated and approved as the Board’s newest member.

According to Dr. Walker, “It is an honor to be selected as Board Chair. I would like to thank former Chairman Irv Bailey for his mentorship and commitment to the Foundation and University.” He continued, “I look forward to working with President Walton, Vice-Chair Wilson, Mr. Phillips, and the other Board members.”

According to Ms. Wilson, “It is an honor to serve on the Cheyney Foundation Board and I look forward to continuing the work to help Cheyney University thrive.”

Mr. Phillips expressed his thoughts on joining the Board by quoting Frederick Douglass, “A man’s character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him.”

Dr. Larry J. Walker currently works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education at the University of Central Florida. Further, Dr. Walker held faculty appointments at Loyola University Maryland and Howard University. He has published numerous articles on race, leadership, and policy. Previously, he served on the Board at the House of Ruth Maryland and Maryland New Directions in Baltimore, MD. In addition, he was selected as a Congressional Fellow with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and worked as the Legislative Director for former Congressman Major R. Owens. During his tenure in Congressman Owens’s office, he supervised the legislative staff and worked on a bipartisan and bicameral basis to pass important legislation.

Tiffany M. Wilson currently works for the Pennsylvania Senate. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Temple University. After graduation, she began her career in public health. She credits a statewide political fellowship for heightening an interest in local/state politics and government services. She has extensive experience serving on various boards in addition to fundraising and volunteer experience. When she is not working, she enjoys spending
time with her daughter, Paris.

Bryan N. Phillips, J.D. currently serves as the Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for Avoro Capital Advisors LLC, a New York-based global life sciences investment firm with a focus on supporting emerging biotechnology companies. Bryan has over 20 years of experience working in the financial industry acquiring knowledge across the areas of compliance, trading, client support, and wealth management. During his career, Bryan has worked at institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Citadel LLC.

Bryan graduated from Cheyney University in 1993, receiving his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Bryan also received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from New York Law School.

About the Cheyney University Foundation: The Cheyney Foundation was established as a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1971 to increase private gift support for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Since its inception, The Cheyney Foundation has been committed to establishing positive relationships with private donors, foundations, corporations, and other constituents in order to build a strong foundation for Cheyney University.

As the university remained focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus from the very start of the pandemic, the leadership team was also busy creating a unique way to establish a point of excellence at the university. What started as an idea to showcase the university’s success in handling equity and inclusion for students and staff, the Breaking Barriers Series quickly evolved into an innovative program that has placed Cheyney at the forefront of addressing two major pandemics – Covid-19 and the civil unrest.

Kizzy Morris, University Provost & Chief Academic Officer, spearheads the Breaking Barriers Series with the support of faculty expertise. Morris’ idea of highlighting campus efforts and activities around equity and inclusion became a wide-ranging initiative spurred by the May 25 tragic killing of George Floyd.

“We wanted to help our students face the dual pandemics and utilize faculty expertise to figure out ways we could help the university community to press on with everything that we were dealing with,” said Morris.

Morris initially met with Dr. Marietta D’Antonio-Madsen, who created a course proposal for a healing arts course “Trauma Finds Expression”. The course was held during the fall semester and students worked on building a mural. Each student had a piece of the mural and when they it put together it will create a large art piece. Amir Campbell, a Cheyney alum, came back to the campus and filmed the students’ work and is creating a documentary that will be presented to the entire community.

Students in the Trauma Finds Expression course also had the opportunity to participate in a lecture with Dr. James Haywood Rolling Jr., a dual professor and chair of art education and teaching and leadership at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and School of Education and director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Rolling is also the president-elect of the National Art Education Association.

In addition, students along with alumni created a “Black Lives Matter” virtual gallery with various artwork.

“We created the virtual gallery to showcase the work being done in the same manner we would in a normal environment,” said Morris. “We had to think in the virtual space to reach those who were dealing with social injustice and with students who were at home. The virtual gallery allowed us to bring the entire community together.”

Another component of the Breaking Barriers Series included leveraging Cheyney’s involvement with Aspiring to Educate (A2E), a statewide program to teach diversity.  Cheyney faculty and staff are involved with the creation of the A2E Program Toolkits that established the pillars of the program: recruitment, retention, mentorship and culturally relevant sustaining education. Over the summer, Cheyney hosted the first ever A2E Virtual Summit to engage stakeholders in problem-solving conversations about the inequities in education, and specifically, the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx teachers across the Commonwealth.

“Cheyney is proud to have educated a large population of teachers in the Philadelphia region,” said Morris. “This was a way for us to engage the community on this initiative.”

Additionally, through A2E, Cheyney launched a five-week Summer Bootcamp designed and coordinated by Dr. Shelly Weeks-Channel for future educations that included a cohort of 25 high school seniors. The students were brought into the boot camp to get them interested in the education field. They were able to take two college courses that gave them a let up before entering their first semester.

The Breaking Barriers Series also included a program to support faculty of color through sponsored research. It included two sessions in November that focused on “Writing an Effective Grant Proposal” and “Breaking Barriers for Securing NSF Funding”. The two sessions included 120 participants from many HBCUs and several other state system universities.

“Faculty of color have a hard time achieving tenure,” said Morris. “We created these workshops to collaborate with federal agencies and help faculty of color understand the available sponsored research opportunities so they can convert to their ideas into fundable research projects. The successful workshops held in November are the first of many to come on faculty professional development and mentoring and we expect many more colleges and universities to join.”

The remaining initiative within the Breaking Barriers Series will include an education component for social justice. Five courses will be offered during the winterim session that specifically deal with social justice. They will be accelerated sessions (four weeks) and students will have the opportunity to do two courses over the four-week period. It is open to anyone, not just Cheyney students.

“The Breaking Barriers has evolved in a short time as we connect with more individuals that see a need and as more events happen in society,” said Morris. “In recognizing Cheyney’s legacy and what we have meant as an institution to the nation, we had to be part of the change that is happening.

“With all of the different things that have happened this past year, we had to find the best way to bring it all together under a common theme and goal. As we move forward, we will have defined actions to be part of that change.”

The Breaking Barriers Series is unique to the academic world and something Cheyney will continue to build.

In the wise word of Cheyney’s President Aaron A. Walton, “When you are first, you need to be prepared to lead.”

 

 

Cheyney University is guided by two main principles – what is in the best interest of its students and what preserves the University. Under President Aaron Walton’s leadership, these core principles have allowed the University to make great strides in providing more opportunities for students and positioning Cheyney as an academic leader through its public-private partnerships.

President Walton’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, and in fact, they continue to be recognized across the education, business and civic communities.

Most recently, President Walton was honored by the Philadelphia Tribune as part of its Most Influential African Americans for 2020. President Walton was recognized along with many local leaders for the distinguished accolade. The recipients included outstanding leaders from elected offices, businesses, faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies and many other movers and shakers of all ages across the Philadelphia region.

“It is a great honor to be recognized along with so many colleagues and friends that are making a tremendous impact in the industries and communities they serve,” said President Walton. “This unprecedented time has brought many new challenges for us all, but we remain dedicated and committed to keeping everyone safe and healthy, while still achieving our organizational goals.”

While the annual award celebration is typically held at the Convention Center, a virtual presentation was created this year due to COVID-19 restrictions to honor all of the recipients. Even though the event couldn’t be held in person, it was still a celebratory moment that was led by the master of ceremonies, Rev. Marshall Mitchell, Salem Baptist Church’s senior pastor, and included music, interviews, and photos of all honorees.

“This is one of the most important events of the year for the Black community and all of Philadelphia,” said Rev. Mitchell in a recorded message that launched the virtual event.

Philadelphia Tribune President and CEO Robert Bogle, who is also chairman of the Council of Trustees at Cheyney University, provided inspiring remarks during the virtual event stating, “These individuals possess the qualities necessary to make change in Philadelphia and our communities.”

Bogle continued, “The individuals come from a variety of career disciplines and experiences. Their success exemplifies the tireless work ethic, and their determination should inspire us all.”

While Cheyney continues to adhere to strict protocols and guidelines to ensure the health and safety of its employees, students and campus partners, the University has also been able to move forward with its on-campus corporate partnerships. Over the last few months, Cheyney partnered with another bioscience company – Sure BioChem Labs – and established a partnership with the Wistar Institute to expand life science research training for students and explore business development opportunities in the greater Philadelphia area.

“This recognition is truly a testament to the hard work put forth every day by Cheyney’s leadership team and all of our staff members,” said President Walton. “Our success is driven by our entire team working together to make sure that students receive the best education possible and have advancement opportunities to build their careers.”

President Walton has received the Tribune’s honor of being one of the Most Influential African Americans for the last two years.