Why Virginia State University Was Always the Answer

M’caiah R. Rice | Virginia State University ’23, ’24 | Student-Athlete & Graduate Scholar

My journey to an HBCU wasn’t something I mapped out years in advance ;it was something I was led into. Looking back now, I can confidently say that attending Virginia State University wasn’t just a decision I made; it was a calling I answered.

I first attended Oakwood University in the fall of 2019, fresh off becoming a mother and eager to continue my basketball career. Oakwood, a Seventh-day Adventist HBCU, gave me a strong foundation, but it was different from what most people imagine when they think of the traditional HBCU experience. Homecoming season came and went quietly, and while many students traveled to nearby schools like Alabama A&M to experience the festivities, I stayed back, curious, observant, and wondering what that version of HBCU life felt like.

Fast forward to Spring 2022. I had just experienced the high of earning my first college degree and was working as a dental assistant. I knew the job was temporary; just a stepping stone. I had no idea what my next chapter would look like. That uncertainty followed me until I met a patient named Faith. Ironically, her name reflected exactly what she became in my life.

From our very first conversation, it felt like I was talking to my mother, who lived eleven hours away at the time. Not long after, she made an unexpected visit to the office, and without overthinking it, I shyly asked her to be my mentor. She didn’t hesitate. She gave me her number, took me to lunch, met my daughter, and listened, really listened to my dreams and my doubts.

That day, she changed my life.

She took a receipt, drew a timeline on the back of it, and showed me exactly where I stood. In that moment, I realized time wasn’t on my side; but purpose was. When she asked where I wanted to go to school, I finally admitted my long-held curiosity about HBCU homecoming culture and my desire to play my final year of collegiate basketball. The only two schools on my list were Virginia Union and Virginia State.

Without hesitation, she stood up and said, “That’s nothing but up the street, let’s go see if the coaches are there.”

I knew this wasn’t how things were usually done, but I trusted her and more importantly, I trusted God.

We visited Virginia Union first and spoke with the coach. Then we drove to Virginia State. The moment I pulled onto campus, my heart felt full. It may sound cliché, but it felt like home. We went to the gym, spoke with the coach, and even though the roster was already filled, I was invited to try out. That opportunity meant everything. From that point on, VSU didn’t just feel like home; it became home.

At Virginia State, I wore many hats. I played basketball and served as a Lead Graduate Assistant for Institutional Effectiveness. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Project Management, and a Master of Arts in Economics. But beyond degrees and titles, I experienced moments that will stay with me forever.

Walking across the graduation stage in Fall 2023 with my daughter by my side is a memory I pray we both hold onto for life. Experiencing my first HBCU homecoming was everything I imagined and more. And sharing campus life with my baby brother, his first year of college and my last; felt full circle. The last time we were in school together, we were children.

“The moment I drove onto Virginia State’s campus, it stopped feeling like a school and started feeling like home.”

When people ask me why students should attend HBCUs, I always say the experience is indescribable. But if I had to try, I’d call it creative, intimate, powerful, comforting, progressive like a family reunion with a purpose. HBCUs don’t just produce graduates; they produce doctors, lawyers, engineers, leaders, and dreamers. With so many options, each with its own personality, it’s almost impossible not to find a perfect fit. That’s why tours matter. Take the time to find your match. Enrollment numbers are rising for a reason, the proof is already there.

My HBCU prepared me for the real world in ways that went far beyond the classroom. From internships and career fairs to free headshots, professional clothing, counseling, childcare, concerts, and community, my school supported us as students, parents, and humans. They didn’t just prepare us to work—they prepared us to live.

I started preparing for college early. My sophomore year of high school. I took ACT prep seriously, wrote scholarship essays instead of attending social events, asked questions relentlessly, and even completed college courses before graduating. That preparation paid off. By senior year, I had the most acceptance letters in my class and the third-highest scholarship total.

My advice to future students is simple: know what you want, but don’t be afraid if that changes. Make the process fun. Think about where you want to live, what environment feels right, and what kind of life you see for yourself. Visit campuses, decorate your dorm, dream big, but above all, pray. Let the Lord guide you. Release your fears. Trust that what’s meant for you will find you.

Because sometimes, the path doesn’t just lead you to an HBCU; it leads you home. #HBCUPride!

Follow M’caiah at @hi.imcai!