Two Paths, One Purpose at Cheyney: The Criss Sisters’ Story
We are Jasmin and Tia Criss, twin sisters and proud students at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, graduating in May 2026.
Choosing to attend an HBCU was a shared decision rooted in something bigger than both of us. We wanted to be in an environment that affirmed who we are while pushing us to grow into who we are called to be. Coming from a family with strong HBCU roots, we understood the importance of legacy early. Our mother graduated from Howard University, so continuing that tradition while creating our own path at Cheyney felt meaningful.
Our journeys to Cheyney were not identical, but they were always connected. One of us discovered the opportunity through the Keystone Honors Academy and took a leap of faith despite uncertainty. The other was drawn to Cheyney’s legacy as the nation’s first HBCU and the way the university recognized potential and poured into it. Together, we found a place that believed in us, supported us, and challenged us to rise.
At Cheyney, we stayed deeply involved on campus and beyond. We both participated in the Keystone Honors Program, served on the Academic Literacy Committee for Business, Education, and Professional Studies, and became members of the Fine Arts Honor Society. Our experiences extended into the professional world through internships in accounting, finance, and digital marketing, along with leadership development opportunities like the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute.
Service and impact have also been central to our journey. We have worked with nonprofits, contributed through digital media, supported community initiatives, and taken every opportunity to give back. These experiences allowed us to apply what we were learning while staying grounded in purpose.
We will graduate at the top of our class, together. One of us, Tia, will graduate as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, while the other, Jasmin, will graduate as salutatorian with a 3.9 GPA. While those accomplishments mean a lot, they only tell part of our story. What matters most is the discipline, consistency, and support we gave each other along the way.
“We are not just graduating. We are graduating at the top, together”
Some of our most meaningful moments were not always the biggest ones, but the ones that reminded us we belonged. Academic achievements pushed us to new levels, but the everyday moments shaped us just as much. Late nights studying together, conversations that challenged our thinking, time spent with friends who became family, and quiet moments on campus where we could reflect, recharge, and grow.
Being able to experience college together as sisters made this journey even more special. We supported each other through challenges, celebrated each other’s wins, and created a space where we could be fully ourselves while holding each other accountable to be better.
Attending an HBCU has shown us that education is only part of the experience. It is also about affirmation, community, and confidence. At Cheyney, we were surrounded by people who expected excellence from us and gave us the support to achieve it. We never had to question whether we belonged. We knew we did.
Our time here prepared us for the real world by teaching us discipline, resilience, and confidence. We learned how to advocate for ourselves, step into professional spaces, and trust our abilities even when we felt uncertain. We developed a deeper understanding of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going.
If we could offer any advice to future students, it would be to come in open and ready to grow. Take advantage of every opportunity, build meaningful relationships, and do not let self doubt limit you. HBCUs provide the support, but you have to be willing to receive it.
Cheyney did not just educate us. It shaped us, strengthened us, and prepared us to walk boldly in our purpose together.
