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.”