The Relentless Journey of Markee Marshall
When Markee arrived at Cheyney University, he owned just one outfit and a room key. No luggage. No grand plan. Just belief, urgency, and a campus willing to bet on him. Before Cheyney, Marshall was searching for direction. He spent time at the Community College of Philadelphia working long hours at City Blue and FedEx while balancing classes and responsibilities. CCP became, as he describes it, “the pivot,” a place where he was learning to manage his time, build discipline, and find his footing. It grounded him in resilience and hustle. “I was CCP trained,” he says, “but Cheyney made.” That mindset, resourceful, determined, and open to growth, would serve him well. When an opportunity at Cheyney presented itself, Marshall took a leap of faith. He boarded a bus wearing the only clothes he had, ready to redefine his story. With little notice and limited resources, he reached out to Dr. Edwards, who handed him a key and a chance to start fresh. It was more than a transfer; it was a transformation.
That was the beginning of everything
Born in West Philadelphia, Marshall’s path to Cheyney was not linear, but it was purposeful. What began as a search for opportunity at CCP became a journey of identity, confidence, and purpose at Cheyney University, the place where, as he puts it, “everything finally connected.” He admits, “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I started as a business major, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I just figured I’d work, stack my checks, and eventually move on.” But change came not from a single moment, but through a series of opportunities that pushed him beyond his comfort zone and toward his calling. That’s where Cheyney stepped in.
The Pivot to Becoming a Professional
“Cheyney really is what you make it,” Marshall says. And he means it. From modeling and magazine club, to fashion shows and skateboarding on campus, he threw himself into everything. Some things stuck. Some didn’t. But every experience mattered. “If you want to be a doctor, they’re going to put you around doctors. If you want to be a lawyer, they’ll push you toward law,” he says. “But you’ve got to start living that life now.”
Today, Marshall is firmly on the path to law school. He’s completed internships with the Urban League and the First Judicial District, where he spent time in courtrooms, spaces that once would have overwhelmed him. “If I were 18 or 19 walking into that courtroom, I’d have been like, whoa. But now? It feels normal,” he says. “Professionals there respect me because I’m trying to understand how to be the best.” Internships led to networking. Networking led to growth. And growth led to clarity. “CCP was the pivot to college. Cheyney is the pivot to the professional world,” he explains. “This is where it gets real.”
Finding Himself on Campus
One of the most unexpected things Marshall discovered at Cheyney was himself. He didn’t even know he liked fashion until classmates started complimenting his style. He tried modeling, liked it, then realized it wasn’t his lane. He joined clubs, left clubs, tried new things, and learned from every experiment. “Do everything,” he says. “Apply for everything. Try everything, even the stuff you think isn’t for you. You’ll learn fast what works and what doesn’t.” For him, every opportunity sharpened his focus. Law is the goal, and he’s preparing accordingly: LSAT practice, internships, professional relationships, and professors who challenge him.
Advice to Younger Students
If Marshall could talk to his 18-year-old self, he’d keep it honest: “Get the fun out of the way early,” he says. “Because eventually your whole mind will be on what’s next.” Jobs that didn’t build toward his future, such as selling sneakers and lifting packages, were temporary. Now, everything he does is intentional. “Every job, every internship should be moving you toward where you want to be.” But his message to the freshmen entering Cheyney in 2026 is even simpler:
Becoming Who He Was Meant to Be
For many students, college is a place to earn a degree. For Marshall, it was a place to become someone. He arrived on campus with one outfit. He will leave with a degree, a professional network, courtroom experience, and a vision for his life. When asked why students should choose Cheyney, he doesn’t hesitate: “They’re going to throw you to the wolves, and that’s a good thing. You’ll learn. You’ll grow. And when it’s time to go into the real world, you’ll already be ready.” And that, more than anything, is the story of Markee Marshall. Not just where he came from, but where he’s going.
