Wanda Lundy: She Never Gave Up on Her Dreams Despite Life’s Obstacles

As former entrepreneur, businessman and founder of Black Enterprise Magazine Earl G. Graves, Sr. said, “Hold on to your dreams of a better life and stay committed to striving to realize it.”

Wanda Lundy, a part-time student majoring in Biology is a shining example of Graves’ sentiments because she has not let adversity and life’s obstacles stop her from pursuing her dreams. The wife and mother of three started her educational journey 15 years ago.

While a freshman at Lincoln University in 2007, she was a double major in Pre-Law and Political Science.

“I was inspired to become a lawyer because of a family member who was wrongfully incarcerated and convicted more than 20 years ago,” said Lundy. “I felt that if this can happen so close to home, it could be happening to other victims who were wrongfully convicted of a crime they didn’t commit.”

However, Lundy’s financial situation did not allow her to continue staying enrolled at Lincoln University.

“I decided I would not let this challenge stop me, and I enrolled in ITT Technical Institute for Criminal Justice,” said Lundy.

She graduated from ITT Technical Institute with honors while bringing her first child into the world, followed by the birth of her son the following year. With an associates degree in Criminal Justice, she wanted to transfer her credits and pursue a bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, several universities informed her that she could not transfer her credits due to an accreditation issue.

As she learned the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree would be put on hold again, she was faced with even more disheartening news. Her mother lost her battle with stage 4 lung cancer. A disease that took the life of her mother also became a curiosity that Lundy turned into inspiration.

Within two months of her passing, Lundy became a Cell Culture Scientist on a Lung Cancer Team. It was a career path she should entered with her associates degree.

Although, Lundy wasn’t settled with just entering a new career. She wanted to succeed and advance. To do so, she needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

“My mother’s death inspired me to further my education so I could build my career growth,” said Lundy. “My goal is to earn a bachelor, master’s and Ph.D. so that I can one day educate students in the sciences.”

After a conversation with a friend about returning to school as a non-traditional student to achieve what she set out for herself to accomplish, she applied to Cheyney University and was accepted. Now in her second semester, she is blessed to be part of the Cheyney family.

“Once I complete my bachelor’s degree, I will be able to obtain senior scientist roles and learn more responsibility in the scientific world,” said Lundy. “I am hoping to gain the “why” behind what I do daily in the lab.”

“I am so proud of Wanda because she truly goes above and beyond everyone else,” said Jonathan Harris, Lundy’s friend and one of her biggest champions. “It has been a dream of hers for quite some time to pursue a science degree so she can help others. Everything she does is to see her community be better.”

Along with achieving personal and professional success, she wants to be a role model for her children.

“It is never too late to achieve your dreams, no matter how long they may take,” said Lundy.

She exemplifies the Cheyney spirit.

“You do not have to become a product of your environment, and nothing you get easily is worth having.”