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Junior Communications major Meghan Sowersby and Keystone Honors Academy Director, Nicole Rayfield recently participated in a taping of a round-table panel discussion with Interim Chancellor Dr. Karen M. Whitney, which will be shown as part of PCN TV’s “Infinite Opportunities.” “Infinite Opportunities” highlights the happenings and range of enriching opportunities at Pennsylvania’s 14 State System universities.

The episode, entitled “Broadening My Horizons,” focuses on the variety of ways to gain experiences and learn about different cultures at the 14 PASSHE universities. During the taping, Interim Chancellor Whitney posed several questions to the panel and the participants shared their school’s unique efforts to offer engaging cultural opportunities and programs for students. Sowersby, Rayfield and Dr. Whitney were also joined by Corinne Gibson, Director of Inclusive Excellence at Slippery Rock University, for the discussion.

Of being asked to select a student participant for the show, Rayfield states that, “Meghan is an exemplary example of a global scholar and it was a pleasure having her insight and perspective as part of the conversation.”

Indeed, Sowersby has enjoyed many opportunities while studying at Cheyney University.

A member of the Keystone Honors Academy, Meghan was selected as 1 of 10 students in the nation for the inaugural year of the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Minority Serving Institutions and the Center on International Educational Exchange. She received an all-inclusive scholarship to study abroad for a month in London, England during the summer of 2017. There, she also served as an ambassador at the London Embassy of the United States, studied the culture of Afro-Caribbean descendants in the United Kingdom and traveled to Northern Ireland to engage in conversation with Irish Members of Parliament.

Selected in the namesake of exemplary orator and leader, Meghan also participated in a class on Intercultural Communication and Leadership during her study abroad. During this time, she was able to expand her cultural perspectives, make lasting international connections and network with other Historically Black College & University (HBCU) campus leaders.

Upon her return to Cheyney in fall 2017, Meghan facilitated “The Sky’s the Limit: How to Find, Secure, and Make the Most of Study Abroad” student-to-student workshop. She hopes to expose minority students to the opportunities available to them to become representatives of the capable HBCU students on the global stage.

The “Broadening My Horizons” episode of “Infinite Opportunities” will air on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 9:30 AM on PCN. Catch Season 4, and prior season episodes that spotlight Cheyney, and other PASSHE students, here.

On Monday, February 12, 2018, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCUs), will host an exclusive screening of the documentary film, Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities. Cheyney will partner with public media provider, WHYY and Firelight Media, the film’s production company, to host the event which will be held on the historic campus in the Marian Anderson Music Center at 6:00 pm.

Written, directed and produced by award-winning documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson and produced by Firelight Films, Tell Them We Are Rising examines the impact HBCUs have had on American history, culture and national identity. The 90-minute film begins with the earliest attempts at education and spans to today’s campuses.

Tell Them We Are Rising is also the centerpiece of a yearlong multi-platform effort, HBCU Rising that will celebrate and examine HBCUs through partnerships with national organizations, exclusive events, video shorts and an HBCU campus tour.

Filmmaker Stanley Nelson is renowned for examining the history and experiences of African Americans. He has directed and produced over twelve documentary features, including: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, Freedom Riders, Freedom Summer and The Murder of Emmett Till. Nelson’s most recent film, Tell Them We Are Rising premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim.

Nelson is also the co-founder of Firelight Media, a non-profit production company dedicated to advance contemporary social justice causes via the use of historical film, and mentoring, inspiring and training a new generation of diverse young filmmakers committed to advancing underrepresented stories.

Immediately following the screening, Cheyney will hold a panel discussion to further engage with viewers. The screening event of Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities is free and open to the public. To register, visit Eventbrite.

For additional information, contact Thomas Nixon, Director of Residence Life & Housing at Cheyney University, tnixon@cheyney.edu. Also, stay connected with up-to-the-minute screening announcements by following CU on social media. Find our official accounts by searching the handle, @cheyneyuniv on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is excited to announce that Miss Cheyney University 2017-2018, Nina-Simone Beaver is a contestant in EBONY’s 2017-2018 HBCU Campus Queens’ online competition. Voting has already kicked-off for the competition and ends at 11:59 PM on January 31, 2018.

To cast your vote, click this link which takes you directly to Nina-Simone’s page. Voters are allowed to cast three votes in a 24 hour period. If this is your first time voting, you must register to vote by entering an e-mail and password of your choice. Thereafter, simply log in. After you cast your vote, don’t forget to add words of encouragement for Miss Cheyney University in the comments section of the page.

The current Miss Cheyney University, is a junior, Business Administration major and Keystone Honors Academy (KHA)scholar, a member of Cheyney University’s Track and Cross Country teams and a mentor on campus. She also holds leadership positions in the Rotaract Club and is a Student Ambassador for the United States Liability Insurance Group’s (USLI) College Help Program.

Nina-Simone is using community service as her platform and through her outreach activities, she aspires to educate and encourage her peers to give back to their communities. During the fall semester, Beaver began making strides towards her goal through her Breast Cancer Awareness month initiative, “Kiss Away Breast Cancer.“ This initiative aimed to educate, heighten awareness and bring the campus community together to support the fight against the disease.

Cheyney family, please be sure to spread the word and encourage others to vote! Also, when sharing via social media, make sure to use the official hashtag #EBONYCampusQueens2018 to support Miss Cheyney University!

[Photo by Veronica Lynn Becerra]

On Monday, December 4, 2017, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s offices of Athletics, Residence Life and Housing and NCAA Choices joined forces to host the second annual Drug and Alcohol Awareness Day. The annual event was developed by the NCAA in an effort to educate students about the risks involved with the misuse of alcohol and drugs.

The event brought Philadelphia native and former NBA Player, Joel Green back to campus to speak with students on the topic of “Making Safer Decisions.” Green, who is now the Founder and CEO of Pro Level Training and a Motivational Speaker, previously visited CU as a speaker for the 2016 Drug and Alcohol Awareness Day.

During his discussion, the once Division I student athlete, encouraged students to enjoy their college years, but advised them to explore and make smarter decisions for themselves as it relates to alcohol use, relationships and academic excellence. He also urged the importance of investing in yourself, being prepared for every opportunity and giving back to the community.

Green certainly severed as a strong role model for Cheyney students as his overall message of perseverance, goal setting, faith and excellence was well received by all in attendance.

CU’s Drug and Alcohol Awareness Day also featured a blend of activities and discussions. Including a presentation by NOPE (Narcotics, Overdoes, Prevention and Education) for Parents and Holcomb Behavioral Health, titled “Opiates:  A Growing Epidemic” and tabling in the Marcus Foster Student Center, that housed relevant prevention information.

Photo: Joel Green (center) during his visit at Cheyney University with The Brotherhood President, Khalil Allen (right) and Brotherhood member, Allen Green (left).

On Wednesday, December 6, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania students, faculty and staff gathered in the auditorium of the Marian Anderson Music Center for an Accreditation Celebration, hosted by President Aaron A. Walton. The Cheyney pride day united the campus community and celebrated the significant accomplishment of the University retaining an additional year of accreditation.

“During this time, the pride exhibited by the entire Cheyne/CU_Retains_Accreditationy University community has been unparalleled . . . we have made significant progress over the last couple of months and we are on the path to the next level,” remarked Walton during his speech.

President Walton followed his statement with exciting updates on what’s in store for the University, including the creation of a state-of-the art, multipurpose center that will be collaboratively designed by the Cheyney community, via the use of campus wide, opinion-based surveys. Walton also announced plans to catapult a $44 million dollar corporate challenge to boost CU’s fundraising initiatives, which will ultimately contribute to the betterment of Cheyney’s future.

The University also intends to increase its career development efforts, with specific focus on sourcing highly-competitive, paid internship opportunities for CU students. The new efforts will begin with a February 2018 symposium, sponsored by the United Parcel System (UPS), to scout talent and identify future employees.

The Accreditation Celebration also spotlighted Cheyney Football players Samuel Anojulu, Chaplin Johnson-Davis, Keyson Dingle and Jamiel Hines, who will be heading to Daytona Beach, FL to compete in the Fourth Annual FCS Bowl. The FCS Bowl, to be played on Sunday, December 10, is an annual post-season college football, all-star game that consists of a team of top players from FCS and HBCU schools.

Senior Samuel Anojulu joined President Walton on the stage to give quick remarks, positively noting that he was grateful for the opportunity and looked forward to representing the nation’s first HBCU at the FCS Bowl.

The celebration closed out with a little friendly competition between students, staff and faculty as they filed down the aisles in search of yellow tickets, which were taped under the auditorium seats, to win special prizes. The Wednesday event was the start of a series of various activities and events scheduled for the Cheyney community beginning in 2018.

On November 16, 2017, guided by advisors Professor Marietta Dantonio-Madsen, Chair of Fine Arts, Design, and Liberal Studies, Professor Helena Domenic, and Professor Joel Keener, 10 students ranging from freshmen to seniors were inducted into Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Fine Art Honor Society (FAHS).

Congratulations to the 2017 Fine Art Honor Society inductees, who include: Veronica Lynn-Becerra, Rhonda Davis, Latisha Elliot, Frederick Goode, Charlene Hoffman, Khayla James, Vincent Miles Jr., Deisha Moore, Jamera Stanciel and Jazmyn Robinson.

Following their first meeting of the year, Fine Arts students began raising money with the intent that all their efforts go towards fees for memberships into the National Art Educators Association, one of the qualifications associated with induction into the FAHS. Students then initiated various fundraising efforts, and even put their artistic expertise to impressive use by creating masks to sell to the attendees of Cheyney’s annual Masquerade Ball (hosted by the Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management (HRTM) program).

On the night of the Masquerade Ball, art students reveled in the excitement of not only the evening’s activities, but having finally reached their monetary goal. Proceeds from their collaborative efforts helped all 10 students seeking induction this year successfully obtain memberships into the NAEA.

At this time, the Fine Arts scholars would like to thank all their advisors for their support. Additionally, they thank the campus community and other supporters that purchased candy, the masks that the student’s created and those that attended the Masquerade Ball. A special thanks is sent to Dr. Ivan Turnipseed, HRTM Program Chair, for agreeing to collaborate with the Fine Art students’ efforts in obtaining their memberships.

(Photo – from L to R: Rhonda Davis, Jazmyn Robinson, Veronica Lynn-Becerra, Deisha Moore, Charlene Hoffman, Jamera Stanciel, Khayla James, Vincent Miles Jr. and Frederick Goode).