Where Home Became My Degree #TXSU
Aushila Deniqua Watson | Texas Southern University, Class of 2025 | Communications, Journalism
My HBCU journey is rooted in home, legacy, and community. I chose to attend an HBCU because I wanted my degree to come from home. Texas Southern University wasn’t just a school to me, it was familiar, comforting, and deeply connected to who I am and where I come from.
I will graduate from Texas Southern University in December 2025 with a degree in Communications and Journalism. Along the way, my experience wasn’t defined by titles or organizations, but by the environment itself. Everywhere I looked, I saw Black excellence. From Wednesday rallies and tailgates to homecoming, the Tiger Walk, and hearing the band live, there was always something that reminded me how powerful our culture is when we’re surrounded by our own.
Some of my favorite moments weren’t even single events, they were feelings. The pride. The energy. The sense of belonging. Being on campus meant constantly being reminded that I was part of something bigger than myself.
An HBCU feels like a warm hug from your greats who leave you a $20 and tell you not to say nothing
I believe students should attend HBCUs because they ground you in your ancestry. They help you understand the sacrifices made by those who came before us and what it truly means to carry that legacy forward. You don’t just earn a degree, you gain perspective, pride, and purpose.
My HBCU experience also prepared me for the real world by giving me a second family. I now have a network of alumni, friends, faculty, and a veteran community that continues to support me beyond the classroom. That sense of community doesn’t end at graduation.
Preparing for college was simple for me. The VA helped guide the process, and I showed up, stayed on time, and did the work. That’s honestly how HBCUs feel to me, like a warm hug from your greats who slip you a $20 or a piece of candy and tell you not to say nothing. It’s love, support, and accountability all wrapped into one.
Texas Southern University gave me more than an education. It gave me home, history, and a lifelong community I’ll always be proud to be part of.
Follow her journey @iamaushila!
