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Students from the Cheyney University’s Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management (HRTM) Program participated in the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) Northeast Regional Conference on February 16th through the 18th at Virginia State University in Petersburg Virginia.

The Cheyney team was comprised of 2 HRTM majors (and seniors): Ashunti Banks and Anya’e Benford, along with faculty members Professor Herbert Black (Co-Advisor) and Krystal Peters (Co-Advisor & HRTM   Program Coordinator).

The highly engaging, three-day event, centered around the theme, “Entrepreneurship Fundamentals and Effective Money Management,” and featured more than 100 attendees from hospitality programs throughout the region, including Virginia State University (conference hosts), Bethune Cookman University, Cornell University, Morgan State University and North Carolina Central University, to name a few.

“Outside of the learning and networking opportunities, this was a very beneficial experience for me, I was offered a job upon graduation” said Anya’e Benford.

Ashunti Banks, who was also offered a position with Disney, said “I think this conference is something that all hospitality students should attend. You get to interact with people in rooms you aspire to get a seat in upon graduation.”

Both ladies were offered a promising job opportunity with Disney, with whom they completed their internship in the Spring 2022 semester, as well as Accor Hotels. They also participated in job interviews with various other companies and are awaiting call backs for follow-up interviews.

The conference also provided students the opportunity to network with industry professionals and hospitality peers, while partaking in informative workshops that focused on bridging the gap between the classroom and boardroom. Students also learned how to prepare for industry success and career options in today’s highly competitive, and lucrative hospitality field.

In addition to interactive workshops, students participated in Industry Information Sessions, where this year’s corporate partners (Encore Global, Kimpton Hotels and Resorts, Accor Hotels, Compass Group, Disney Worldwide, Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels Corporation) presented company overviews and fielded audience questions about their organizations and available internships, management trainees, and direct placement opportunities.

Accommodations for this year’s NSMH NE Regional Conference were supported by funding from the HBCU Hospitality Management Consortium, while travel and other costs were funded by Cheyney University and the HRTM program.

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While the COVID-19 pandemic presented many unprecedented challenges, it also provided new opportunities to reimagine campus spaces to meet the needs of 21^st century learning. Due to federal, state, and local regulations, to keep Cheyney University’s entire community safe and healthy, the Leslie Pinckney Hill Library had to close its doors.

But, when one door closes, another one opens.

Cheyney’s administrative staff used the moment to rethink how the library could become a learning atmosphere that can meet the demands of today’s higher education. When she joined Cheyney, Dr. Gramby-Sobukwe was assigned to oversee the library renovation project.

“Cheyney’s Administration first went to the campus community and surveyed them on what they wanted in the new library. The outreach revealed that the new library should ensure a quiet study space with access to quality research materials.”

A leadership team was assembled to create the ideal library space and was charged with researching and sharing how libraries are adapting to the demands of the 21^st century. A library strategy committee that included students was formed to help create a 21^st century library space. Next, an architectural team provided the library strategy committee with names of nearby universities that recently added 21^st-century updates. The team visited the libraries at Penn State University’s Great Valley campus, Temple University, and Rosemont College. The visits helped identify key features that fit the needs of the campus. The site assessments were discussed with the greater campus community.

Mark DeSantis, a senior majoring in communications, was one of the students on the steering committee who provided insight and feedback to help guide the administrative staff.

“The library throughout history has always symbolized the heart of a college’s campus,” said Mark DeSantis. “It is the people’s palace, a place where everyone can come together to create, communicate, and experience growth as a person and community.”

In October 2022, Cheyney’s President Aaron Walton called for reopening the library by the start of the 2023 spring semester. While some renovations were already underway, the facilities team and library strategy committee began planning and implementing renovations to meet the goal.

The library’s doors reopened on January 30 and students were introduced to the reimagined learning facility.

The inspiration that shaped the renovations was focused around creating a Learning Commons where students and faculty could engage in and outside of the classroom while in the library. The following four key features were essential to the enhancements:

1. Academic Support Resources – The Academic Success Center, TRiO programs, Instructional Design and Teaching Innovation programs were relocated to the library where they partnered with library staff to offer regular study halls, tutoring, coaching and workshops.
2. Collaborative and Individual Quiet Study Spaces – Study spaces were expanded in the stacks and device connectivity and printing were added along with desktop stations, and group study spaces.
3. Gathering and Lounge Spaces – A coffee and a snack shop were built along with other spaces that created a comfortable setting to study, read or just lounge.
4. Innovative Learning Spaces – Areas were created to inspire students to explore knowledge outside of the classroom. Students will be surveyed for themes around the library to explore, and the library staff will curate spaces catered to the themes.

Planning is underway for innovation labs and maker studios where students can participate in innovative learning using various new technologies. Cheyney is exploring 3-D printing, virtual reality, and podcasting among other technology driven tools to promote innovation and self-directed learning.

“The library’s new concept as a Learning Commons is no longer only a space for quiet study, but also a space for student and community engagement,” said Dr. Sobukwe. “We plan to welcome the broad community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and our neighbors, with programs and activities, all designed to increase knowledge, enhance learning as a continuous process of engagement, and strengthen community relationships.”

 

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Originally published in the Philadelphia Business Journal by Ryan Mulligan on Feb 21, 2023.

The nation’s first historically black college or university continues to push into life sciences through a new project that will give companies on-campus lab space and seeks to boost student interest in the industry.

Cheyney University is moving forward with its thinkUbator, a concept that is being built out in partnership with Philadelphia-based Mosaic Development Partners and Blue Bell’s Integrated Project Services. The project includes retrofitting an existing 70,000-square-foot building on Cheyney’s campus with more than 30,000 square feet of new lab development in addition to office space.

The first phase of the project is expected to begin in the third quarter and will include the construction of 10 labs, said Greg Reaves, the CEO of Mosaic, a firm also working on projects like the Philadelphia Navy Yard and proposed new 76ers new arena in Center City. Phase one will cost between $10 million and $11 million and the entire project will be fully built out in 2025, Reaves said.

The project received a $5 million grant from the state in the form of a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant. It also received $400,000 from in federal appropriations funding advanced by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat. Additional funding will come from Cheyney fundraising and Reaves said there will also be a tax credit on the project.

Mosaic is also working on a development strategy to “reimagine” Cheyney’s campus, which straddles Chester and Delaware counties. Reaves said that the thinkUbator speaks to a larger vision at Cheyney. The university has undertaken a strategy over the last few year to repurpose unused and underutilized real estate to bring in new revenue and business ideas to the campus. The strategy brings companies that will pay rent and also provides STEM jobs for students at the HBCU.

“We have certainly seen in life sciences not just in Philly but around country, the lack of inclusion of people of color, not just at the bench level but also the ownership level,” Reaves said. “There’s been a dearth of communities of color, we think because we haven’t created the right pipeline. Doing this at an HBCU we think gives the ability for others to see true opportunity as a pipeline to talent development and working in this industry.”

Cheyney has already brought five companies to campus in the existing lab space it does have, what Reaves called a “proof of concept” to move forward with the development of the thinkUbator. Companies include Sure-BioChem Laboratories, Navrogen, ASI Chemicals.

Since the companies have planted roots on the suburban Philadelphia campus, Reaves said the percentage of students showing interest in careers in the sciences at Cheyney jumped from 10% to 22%.

The 700-student university has a requirement for businesses working on campus that they need to have student involvement, which helps fuel the talent pipeline the partners are looking to build. Reaves said that with internships and jobs in STEM, there is an opportunity to “enhance the level of diversity in science through this model.”

“This is really more about Cheyney,” Reaves said. “Cheyney’s interest in being at the forefront of science with their students, and doing it in a creative way. It puts together this petri of partnerships, from the university, the private side, the state. It’s all sharing investments, sharing talent and sharing successes.”

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2009 graduate meets with students after show and discusses acting, storytelling and time at Cheyney.

The only thing better than seeing a great Broadway show is getting to meet the cast after a special one-on-one discussion. For 25 Cheyney University TRiO Scholars, the opportunity became a reality as they visited Broadway to see Death of a Salesman and met with a special cast member after the show.

Khris Davis, a 2009 cum laude graduate who earned a B.A. in theatre arts, recently held a role in the adaptation of the 1949 play that broke new ground and told the story of Willy, played by actor Wendell Pierce, and Linda Loman from the perspective of an African American family. Davis played the role of Biff Loman, one of the sons of the dutifully married couple.

After the show, Davis met with Cheyney students for a special Talkback Q&A Session.

According to Davis, art influences so many aspects of life. Exposure is integral to our society, to critical thinking, to our interpersonal relationships, how we can process complex emotions, and to the way we see the world and its many magnificent differences.

While Davis has never been a teacher, he was a teaching artist with The Philadelphia Theatre Company and worked with students to help expose them to theatre.

“As an artist it is a great opportunity to create a bridge to the next generation,” said Davis. “It is important that we have exposure to art and its many forms. Every student deserves to have that.”

Davis continued, “It is my hope that in the future I can cultivate programs that will bring more arts, not just to those who are interested, but to as many students as I can.”

Originally from Camden, NJ, he attended the Creative Arts High School in Camden. He enrolled in Cheyney in the fall of 2005 and joined The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. After graduation, Davis moved to Philadelphia to pursue acting while performing and being a teaching artist with the Philadelphia Theater Company. He was also a founding member of Quintessence Theatre Company in Mt. Airy Philadelphia, a neighborhood in northwest Philadelphia.

In 2016, he made his New York stage debut as the star of Marco Ramirez’s The Royale at the Lincoln Theatre where his performance won him numerous honors including the Clive Barnes Award for Theater, an Obie Award, Theatre World Award, and a Drama Desk Award.

Since that time, he has starred in the film Space Jam: A New Legacy playing the childhood friend of Lebron James. He also appeared in the movie Detroit and in the Oscar-nominated film Judas and the Black Messiah and has other credits that include the FX series Atlanta, NBC’s The Blacklist as well as the Tony-nominated Broadway play Sweat.

Telling stories is his true passion in life.

“My heart is in storytelling, and I believe in the power of storytelling,” said Davis. “It doesn’t the modality in which the story is told, just that it is conveyed and that it changes and inspires people.”

Davis is leaving his mark on the world with a sense of social responsibility and passion for excellence, making him an outstanding example of “Cheyney Made.”

“A lesson that I took from Cheyney is that there is always another opportunity to start over,” said Davis. “Cheyney has given so many students, self-included, that very opportunity. It’s a way to reset and pivot. So, when challenges arise, some failures may present themselves.

“I know when a hardship presents itself, so does an opportunity for a new start.”

Audiences can next see Davis perform on the big screen as he plays the role of two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman in the George Tillman Jr.-directed biopic which is set up under Sony’s AFFIRM Films label. The film follows the life of Foreman from Olympic Gold medalist to World Heavyweight champion. It is scheduled to be released in 2023.

“I was over the moon about being chosen to play the Heavyweight Champion,” said Davis. “It is such a major opportunity to have the responsibility of playing an icon. It is my hope that I have honored the Champ in my portrayal.”

When it comes to his hometown Davis misses the people the most. “What I miss the most are my people,” explained Davis. “My family, the many friends I’ve made over the years, my fellow artists from my time there,” said Davis.

“Camden is home for me, so no matter where I am, or what I am doing. “I will always miss home the most,” said Davis.

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Photo Cred: Vernon Ogrodnek, FOR THE PRESS

(January 10 – Atlantic City) Cheyney University and AtlantiCare are focusing on engaging students in rich, real-world observation and clinical experiences. AtlantiCare has committed the resources and people to ensure the winter session is fully immersive and offers students a well-rounded look at various paths they can pursue in healthcare. The week’s education will include rotations with healthcare professionals at AtlantiCare’s Regional Medical Center (ARMC) Atlantic City Campus, its newly opened Medical Arts Pavilion and the William L. Gormley AtlantiCare HealthPlex. Programs, care services and roles they will learn about include AtlantiCare’s Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) services, Medical Lab Sciences, Nursing, Trauma, Neurosciences, Physical Therapy, Radiology, and Respiratory Therapy.

Coverage:

The Press of Atlantic City – GALLERY: AtlantiCare and Cheyney University enter partnership
The DelCo Times – Cheyney University announces enhanced partnership with South Jersey health care system

As part of TRiO Student Support Services’ (SSS) mission to provide a holistic approach in the delivery of services for students, the program emboldens students to honor Cheyney University’s commitment of cultivating a culture of character with its dedication to social responsibility.

Over the 2022 fall semester, a group of Cheyney students including several who are part of the TRiO SSS Scholars Program did their part to fulfill the university’s commitment by helping to feed and clothe people in need across the community.

The semester kicked-off with a Bombas Service Day on August 19. Bombas is an apparel company that makes socks with a mission to help individuals experiencing homelessness. Bombas has a pledge to donate an item for every item purchased. Cheyney is a Bombas Socks giving site that consistently provides care packages of socks to homeless people throughout the academic year.

The students put together 3,000 sock bags and wrote more than 600 inspirational cards for the care packages going to homeless individuals. The Joy of Sox organization, which provides support to 125 homeless organizations, distributed the socks and cards to people experiencing homelessness in the Philadelphia area.

“We had a ball ’Socking‘ those in need with some love from Cheyney University and Bombas,” said Rosalyn Henderson, Cheyney’s TRIO Student Support Services Director.

Along with collecting sock donations, the students assembled between 50 to 100 boxes of food every month from the university’s food pantry for distribution to area churches and YMCAs that serve people experiencing food insecurity. The food pantry receives food donations from Philabundance, Chester County Food Bank and various alumni associations. Some TRiO students utilize the food pantry, so they understand the struggle of having enough to eat.

Cheyney created its campus food pantry in 2019, to help support students struggling with hunger. Through TRiO’s ongoing efforts, it has expanded into a full-service food pantry with fresh fruits and vegetables. The food pantry was recently recognized as a PA Hunger-Free Campus by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, making it one of eight higher education institutions in the state to receive the designation.

“As reports indicate, students of color experience food insecurity at a higher rate; and first-generation students experience insecurities at higher rates than non- first-generation students,” said Henderson “The bottom line is if you’re food insecure you can’t focus on your education and have poor academic progress.”

TRIO SSS is a federally funded program that provides academic assistance for 284 eligible undergraduate students at the university. The goal is to help low-income and first-generation college students and/or college students with disabilities to succeed and earn their bachelor’s degree. Staff members know that some of the university’s students come from marginalized backgrounds and might need more resources and support than other students.

Cheyney looks forward to continuing its commitment to serve those in need across local communities and to provide students with the support and resources to help them develop a culture of character.

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