Seen, Supported, and Becoming: Tia Criss at Cheyney University
My name is Tia Criss, and I am a Business Administration major at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, graduating in May 2026. I am honored to graduate as the valedictorian of my class, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
I chose to attend an HBCU because I wanted to be in an environment where I felt seen, supported, and challenged at the same time. Originally, I was not even aware of Cheyney, which is sometimes hard to admit considering it is the nation’s oldest HBCU. My dad introduced me to the Keystone Honors Academy and encouraged me to apply for the full tuition scholarship. I was nervous and unsure if I could maintain the GPA, but my parents pushed me to take a leap of faith and believe in myself. Being awarded that scholarship confirmed that Cheyney was where I was meant to be.
Beyond the scholarship, what made Cheyney special was the community. It is a close knit environment with supportive faculty, a peaceful and beautiful campus, and a sense of belonging that allowed me to grow into myself. Being here means carrying a legacy of resilience and excellence. Walking the same grounds as those who came before me pushed me to show up every day and give my best.
During my time at Cheyney, I stayed actively involved both academically and through service. I served on the Academic Literacy Committee for Business Education and Professional Studies, became a member of the Fine Arts Honors Society, and participated in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute. I also had the opportunity to serve as a panelist during a high school campus visit, where I was able to share my story and encourage future students.
Cheyney showed me that I was capable before I fully believed it myself.
Service has also been a major part of my journey. I have worked with nonprofits through digital media, volunteered as a TED Talks translator, and partnered with organizations to provide necessities for those in need. I also completed a summer internship in accounting and finance with the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia. These experiences allowed me to apply what I was learning while staying connected to purpose and community.
Some of my favorite moments at Cheyney were the quiet ones. Late nights working on group projects, meaningful conversations with classmates and professors, and building friendships that felt like family. I also cherished the time my twin sister and I had to recharge, grow, and support each other along the way.
Attending an HBCU is about more than earning a degree. It is about being in a space that affirms who you are while pushing you to become more. Cheyney did not just educate me. It supported me, challenged me, and reminded me that I belong to something greater than myself.
My experience here prepared me for the real world by teaching me discipline, adaptability, and resilience. It helped me understand where I come from, grounded me in who I am, and prepared me for where I am going. It also taught me how to navigate the world with confidence and to always go the extra mile.
If I could tell future students anything, it would be to prepare academically, but also mentally. Be open to growth, step outside your comfort zone, and lean into the community around you. The support is there. You just have to be willing to receive it.
Cheyney shaped me into a woman who is confident, capable, and ready for what comes next.
