Archives: News

Tamiah Morrison, senior criminal justice major from Claymont, DE is inducted as the 51st Miss Cheyney during her Coronation on October 7, 2023.

Q: Why did you choose to attend Cheyney?

TAMIAH: I chose to attend Cheyney because I didn’t want to attend school in my own state. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and attend an HBCU. So, in wanting to attend an HBCU why not attend the First HBCU and be a part of history, a blueprint.

Q: What is the platform (the causes) you are running on and why is this important to you? In other words, how do your personal passions and beliefs inform your work as Ms. Cheyney?

TAMIAH: My platform is “Be your Own Hero” which encourages students to go out and try new things, join orgs and to be the best versions of themselves regardless of obstacles that may be in the way.

My platform is important to me because I am setting an example for students who believe they cannot do things due to obstacles they may be facing and for people to truly start believing in themselves and beating the odds society has placed against them. Some people don’t know this, but I have Severe Anxiety before every performance before I get up and speak, I am terrified, but I do it to prove to myself and others you can do anything you put your mind to. I am also in the process of going blind, growing up I was told that I couldn’t drive, play sports and that I should just try to enjoy life while I can see. I didn’t let that stop me and everyday I’m proving not only to myself but to everyone who said I couldn’t do something that I can and if you truly want to you can too.

Q: What motivated you to run for Miss Cheyney?

TAMIAH: The 47^th Miss Cheyney University Kiyana T. Roberts. She was such an amazing queen and seeing all the things she did really inspired me to want to reign as powerful and strong and leave my mark with this beautiful legacy. She was the first HBCU queen I have ever met, and her spirit was so amazing and pure.

Q: In what ways do you believe being Ms. Cheyney will prepare you for your future?

TAMIAH: I believe being Miss Cheyney is preparing me for the future in so many ways including time management, multitasking, working with different personalities and public speaking.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face as Miss Cheyney and how do you overcome them?

TAMIAH: Severe Anxiety, Mood disorder and Blindness. I overcome them by pushing myself to be the best I can be. The student body motivates me to want to be better so I can be an example of someone who’s going through the same problem, someone who constantly puts themselves down thinking I can’t do things but, you can do anything you put your mind to.

Q: How do you look at the responsibility of your role here on campus and what do you think students can learn from you?

TAMIAH: I look at my role here on campus as being a Female student leader set to empower/motivate the student body. I believe students can learn a lot from me especially those who been here since 2020 and can see the difference how I am actively trying to make Cheyney better that I’m trying to give students more opportunities to better themselves and engage is student activities. I have set goals to also put Cheyney on the map and every room I have walked in, you cannot forget the name Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania, The Nations First HBCU.

By Kimberly O’Shields, original article published August 21 found here.

Nestled about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania owns the distinction of having the longest history out of all historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The school has been renamed five times during its 186-year history since it was first founded in 1837 as The African Institute by the Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys.

But a long and storied history doesn’t mean that it’s always smooth sailing for the administrators and staff members who are serving the current generation of CU students and helping them develop the character, intellect, and talent required to succeed in today’s world.

In 2018, President of Cheyney University Aaron A. Walton made the commitment to join the Healthier Campus Initiative and to provide additional resources for pursuing the 41 evidence-based guidelines developed for improving menus, exercise options, and resources for food security.

But like many institutions of higher learning—and too many small schools and HBCUs—Cheyney’s momentum was starkly challenged by the pandemic. As COVID-19 restrictions have gradually eased, and schools across the country move towards a new normal in the wake of a global pandemic, I’ve been working closely with many campuses to regain that pre-pandemic momentum and to support champions for student wellbeing.

One of my favorite collaborations, by far, has been working with Success Coach for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Academic Affairs Tracey Smith and her team of passionate and creative professionals. Tracey has presented at Healthier Campus Initiative conferences and is actively reaching out to share Cheyney’s successes even in the face of limited funding.

Creativity doesn’t cost a thing

Cheyney University offers ten major and six minor degrees and is currently home to about 700 undergraduate students. Coming out of the pandemic, university professionals are seeing increasing numbers of students experiencing food insecurities, strained mental health, decreased physical activity, and a reduced sense of overall wellbeing.

“At Cheyney, we are committed to student academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility,” says Tracey. “Our partnership with Continuum Solutions LLC and the Healthier Campus Initiative has been a valuable resource as we work to sustainably keep that commitment.” Over the past year, we’ve collaborated on several creative initiatives to the benefit of CU students, and together we’ve increased the opportunities for CU students to be active and improve their overall wellbeing.

Food insecurity is a real obstacle for many college students on campuses across North America, and Cheyney University students aren’t immune to its chilling specter. “We’ve seen a definite increase in the number of student visits to the food pantry,” says Roslyn Henderson, Director of the Trio Student Services Program at Cheyney University. During #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK2022, the Cheyney University Wolf Pantry provided fresh produce for the campus’ traveling produce wagon. Additional nutritional activities and support were provided by CU’s dietary services.

For the second year, Cheyney University success coaches Katrina Banks, Laura Vargus, and Tracey Smith have raised awareness for and provided activities to the campus community about wellbeing by providing a Woosah Day on the quad where students and staff could come and participate in Chakra Balancing, chair massage, meditation, and yoga. We know that recreation programs that emphasize mindfulness and exercise can reduce perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and negative mood.

Physical fitness and activity has also been an area of focus for CU professionals. Pat Walker, the former Cheyney University Intramural and Recreation Programs Director, put the c in creativity by designing the Cheyney Backyard Bowl in collaboration with West Chester University in 2018–2019. The partnership encourages recreational sport participation and social interactions between the two neighboring PASSHE institutions located roughly seven miles apart. Flag football, 3v3 basketball, volleyball, and 5v5 basketball contests have been held, with winners collecting points toward the overall University Champion.

Current Cheyney University Intramural Director Sue Rumer has been continuing this activity since the pandemic concluded. The collaborative partnership gives college recreational sports participants an opportunity to compete, coordinate, officiate, and connect with skilled peers from outside the Cheyney University walls and to take the benefits of recreational competition to a higher level.

The creation of the Howlin Wolves Swimmers is another creative collaboration to come out of Cheyney University this past year: A group of four recreation major and minor students came together for about a month of daily swim practices off campus. The Howlin Wolves Swimmers represented Cheyney University at the first ever HBCU Swim Meet at Morehouse College in Atlanta, competing hard and securing several second-place finishes.

In addition to all those efforts, CU Intramural and Recreation Programs and Healthier Campus teamed up to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Lady Wolves Division I Basketball Team playing in the first-ever D1 Championship title game against Louisiana Tech in March of 1982. Cheyney remains the only HBCU school to play for a DI National Championship; the 1982 Cheyney team was also the first team to make it to the Final Four and a championship game with an all-women coaching staff and it was also the first Black coaching staff at an NCAA Division I finals.

C. Vivian Stringer, who coached that 1982 team, is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and in the spring of 2023 ESPN released a feature special on Coach Stringer and the 1982 championship team.

The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and CBS Sports also released a documentary on Coach Vivian Stringer this past year titled Dear Coach Stringer.

The Healthier Campus Initiative’s Largest Physical Challenge and #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK encouraged CU professionals to embrace creative activities year around. “Physical activity is so important,” says Tracey. “We got to move it, move it!”

This work is personal for me

While Tracey and her team have been collaborating with me and the Healthier Campus Initiative going back to 2018, Cheyney University has been near and dear to my heart since I was three years old; this work is profoundly personal for me. My grandfather, Coach William O’Shields, was inducted in the Cheyney Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979. He came to campus in 1947 as the first male Health and Physical Education teacher; he was promptly put in charge of the athletics program, where he would eventually coach football, cross country, basketball, and track and field.

In 2005, the Cheyney University football stadium was re-named O’Shields-Stevenson Stadium in honor of my grandfather and fellow Cheyney Athletics’ hall-of-famer James Stevenson. In 2018, administrators had to make difficult decisions about the downsizing of athletics programs at Cheyney, and ultimately football was suspended until the financial situation at Cheyney improves.

It’s been a pleasure to partner with Cheyney University and to witness their incredible work with limited resources. I know my grandfather would be proud.

Students learned from MIT instructors at the 76ers training facility at the week-long camp

(CHEYNEY, PA – August 15, 2023) – Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is proud to announce the successful completion of its first Sports Analytics Training Camp for students, in partnership with The Philadelphia 76ers, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Mosaic Development Partners. The groundbreaking collaboration aims to revolutionize athlete intelligence and performance analytics by bringing together the mission of Cheyney University, the cutting-edge research capabilities of MIT and the expertise of one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.

Cheyney University’s Sports Analytics Training Camp brings a wealth of practical sports analytics knowledge and real-world experience to the collaboration. Through the camp, aspiring analysts gained hands-on exposure to cutting-edge techniques and tools used in professional sports. By participating in this collaborative initiative, Cheyney’s program will contribute invaluable insights and perspectives from their diverse pool of talented individuals, enabling them to bridge the gap between academia and the sports industry.

“We are honored to join forces with the Philadelphia 76ers and MIT in this groundbreaking initiative,” said Aaron Walton, President of the Cheyney University. “Our program has always aimed to empower the next generation of sports analytics professionals, and this partnership provides an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible impact. By merging the theoretical knowledge of MIT with the practical application provided by the 76ers, we are poised to revolutionize athlete intelligence.”

Senior biology major Kishore Owusu wasn’t sure if this program was for him, considering he’s a computer science major. However, with some assurance from his peers and Vanessa Atkins, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships & Career Pathways, he was encouraged to add this once-in-a-lifetime experience to his repertoire. Now, he wants to encourage students to take chances on themselves.

“This has helped me become a better leader. What I want to emphasize to my fellow Cheyney students is you should get comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Kishore. “Get yourself out there. Learn new skills that can help you in the long run.”

The Philadelphia 76ers have long been at the forefront of embracing data-driven decision-making in the NBA. Through this collaborative effort, the team aims to further enhance their analytical capabilities and gain a competitive edge in player development and game strategies. By leveraging the advanced statistical models and analytical tools developed by MIT, and incorporating the practical insights provided by Cheyney’s Sports Analytics Training Camp, the 76ers are committed to driving innovation and maximizing performance on and off the court.

“One of our goals as an organization is to provide more opportunities for communities who are underrepresented,” said David Gould, chief diversity and impact officer for HBSE. “Part of that is through our HBCU fellowship program providing exposure to possible careers in sports and entertainment. We’re proud to support this partnership and to propel people into industry moving forward.”

Held at the Sixers’ training complex in Camden, New Jersey, the students received hands-on experience working in a group setting. During the weeklong assimilation, the Cheyney scholars evaluated multiple HBSE challenges and provided solutions.

The camp was sparked by Mosaic Development Partners, a Black-owned real estate developer based in North Philadelphia. Mosaic has been instrumental in Cheyney’s redevelopment plans, including the university’s sciences hub where several companies have located to provide services such as biotech and cancer research, agribusiness, lab testing, renewable energy, esports, and 3D printing.

###

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

Philadelphia 76ers – The Philadelphia 76ers, founded in 1946, are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known for their commitment to excellence and innovation, the 76ers have a rich history in the NBA and are dedicated to leveraging data-driven decision-making to gain a competitive edge.

Mosaic Development Partners JV:
Mosaic Development Partners JV (Mosaic) is a Philadelphia-based, minority certified commercial real estate development company founded in 2008. Mosaic primarily focuses on ground up development and adaptive reuse of land and buildings in marginalized urban centers. The company has successfully used viable and innovative financial and construction methods to help stabilize and grow neighborhoods.

About MIT – The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world-renowned research institution recognized for its leadership in technological advancements and analytical research. With a focus on pushing the boundaries of knowledge, MIT’s expertise will be instrumental in developing cutting-edge statistical models and machine learning algorithms for athlete intelligence.

Adjunct Professor Ernest Owens will use his book as a guide to instruct the course 

(CHEYNEY, PA – August 10, 2023) – Award-winning journalist Ernest Owens will return to Cheyney University of Pennsylvania as an adjunct professor, where he will teach two sections of Introduction to College and use his own book, “The Case for Cancel Culture,” as the main text for the academic year.

Owens incorporates his professional and personal experiences in his book and provides a fresh, progressive lens in favor of cancel culture as a tool for activism and change. He wants students to walk away from the exploration not despising cancel culture but embracing it as a form of democratic expression.

“I use examples from politics, pop culture and my own personal experiences. I want students to reflect on and learn the long history of canceling,” said Owens. “I analyzed how the left and right uniquely equip it as part of their political toolkits; how intersections of society wield it for justice; and ultimately how it levels the playing field for the everyday person’s voice to matter.”

While instructing his course last fall, Owens was paying close attention to what the students were debating and discussing in class. The topic of cancel culture came up multiple times.

“It was ironic because I was in the final stages of publishing my book on the subject. I was encouraged to pitch my book to the university’s leadership as something that could be very insightful to the students and the campus,” said Owens.

Social sciences associate professor Dr. Hazel Spears noticed a level of engagement with the students who were part of Owens’s first year orientation course. When she learned he was about to publish his first book, she and other faculty immediately requested a copy and read it.

“We were blown away with the quality of writing, the relevance to Black lives today, and the tour through history, politics, and the art of media manipulation,” said Spears. “We all agreed, this was a book our students could find both engaging and useful.”

Dr. Spears noted the need for transformation of the classroom experience and discourse on campus. She believes that “The Case for Cancel Culture” and the plethora of activities, workshops, and lectures centering the book, will bring the exact kind of intellectual excitement we want on our campus for students.

“Ernest can address these central issues directly from an informed, lived perspective. He does so incisively and analytically,” said Spears.

Owens is the CEO of Ernest Media Empire, LLC. He is the political writer-at-large for Philadelphia Magazine and President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. He hosts the hit podcast “Ernestly Speaking!” As an openly Black, gay journalist, he has made headlines for speaking frankly about intersectional issues in society regarding race, LGBTQ, and pop culture.

###

About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

CHEYNEY, Pennsylvania — The University of New England (UNE) and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s first historically Black university, are pleased to announce a collaboration aimed at fostering new pathways to medical education for qualified students.

The two universities have signed an articulation agreement to provide a pathway for qualified Cheyney undergraduates to pursue a medical education at UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM).

The agreement reflects the values of both institutions, with Cheyney’s whole-person approach to student development mirroring the osteopathic principles embodied by UNE COM — of holistic, patient-centered care and promoting health rather than solely treating disease. More broadly, the agreement is a testament to UNE’s mission of improving the health of people, communities, and our shared planet.

Cheyney’s agreement with UNE is part of its ongoing efforts to meet the growing demand of bioscience and technology majors. With 24 percent of the student body enrolled within these majors, the university is increasing awareness of career options for these students through its partnerships with institutions and biotech companies and expanding opportunities with external like-minded partners, providing internships and careers.

UNE President James Herbert remarked that the partnership represents the university’s latest effort to expand pipelines to medical school while encouraging more students to pursue careers as physicians and meet both Maine and the nation’s health care workforce needs.

“As Maine’s only medical school, we feel a special responsibility to provide our aging state and region with a steady stream of primary care physicians as well as the full range of specialized doctors who can make equally important contributions to their fields and to the people who depend on them for care,” Herbert stated.

“Our partnership with the University of New England will provide another pathway for our students to enter medical careers,” said Cheyney President Aaron A. Walton. “We have taken an innovative approach to building health career awareness, and we want our students to have continued engagement in the field of medicine beyond degree completion.”

Cheyney is among the growing list of colleges and universities with which UNE COM has formed such agreements, including Tufts University and the University of Vermont.

To celebrate the agreement, the two universities will host a signing ceremony on UNE’s Portland Campus on Tuesday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m.

The event, to be held in the Newbury Room of Alumni Hall, will feature remarks from both UNE and Cheyney University officials and will be attended by students from both universities. With support from grant funding, a cohort of Cheyney students are spending three days touring UNE’s campuses and the surrounding communities.

About Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 

Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

  

##### 

Originally published by ALA News