Graduates of Cheyney move on to break down barriers and make significant strides in their respective fields and in life. But they never forget where they came from.Cheyney alumni Leonard Brown (鈥�17) and Dr. Janelle L. Williams (鈥�07) are proof.
Recently, Brown and Williams returned to document how Cheyney prepared them for their current endeavors for a segment, entitled 鈥淟ife After Graduation,鈥� part of an upcoming episode of the PCN TV show,聽Infinite Opportunities.
鈥淐ollege wasn鈥檛 always in the plans for me,鈥� said Brown, who is now an In-Store Partner/Sales Representative with the Kraft-Heinz company. 鈥淢y junior year of high school, I transferred to Imhotep Charter (located in Philadelphia) and developed a support system of advisors and mentors 鈥� the majority of whom were Cheyney alumni. I knew Cheyney is where I belonged.鈥�
Williams on the other hand, always felt college was the logical path after high school. However, she characterized herself as an average student and had doubts about her future. 鈥淚 chose Cheyney for two reasons:
- Cheyney is entrenched with a significant history that is reflective of both my culture and my identity;
- Cheyney promised me a home away from home and made a commitment to my future.鈥�
Though the Philadelphia natives matriculated at Cheyney a decade apart, they share the study of聽Business听补苍诲听Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM). Both were part of the University鈥檚 distinguished聽Keystone Honors Academy (KHA), which offers full-scholarships to high-achieving undergraduate students.
While at Cheyney, the scholars immersed themselves in every opportunity afforded to both Cheyney and KHA students, on and off the historic campus.
Williams became a student-athlete after securing a spot on CU鈥檚 Track & Field/Cross Country roster, and later sprinted her way through a host of commitments 鈥� being a Frederick Douglass scholar and mentor, Social Chair of CU鈥檚 Student Government Association (SGA), a writing tutor, Resident Advisor, Sophomore Class President, Senior Class Vice President and member of the sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She also completed three competitive internships with Metz Foods, the Starwood Hotel Group, and Sodexo, and studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa.
Brown also took advantage of all that Cheyney had to offer. He spearheaded several community-based leadership projects, including聽The Good Neighbors Initiative, completed a total of six internships and one intensive, and a fully funded,聽study abroad opportunity in Norway. There he studied leadership, peace and environmental sustainability. Additionally, Brown participated in several honors conferences as both a speaker and an attendee.
Brown and Williams equally credit the University, and their involvement in the honors academy, as the driving force that gave them confidence to explore every possibility presented.
鈥淐heyney provides a unique opportunity in the Keystone Honors Academy. The program鈥檚 structure allowed me to thoroughly focus on my academics while gaining valuable experiences that would help to ease my transition after graduation,鈥� shared Brown. He also acknowledges HRTM Associate Professor & Chair, Dr. Ivan Turnipseed and Nicole Rayfield, Director of the Keystone Honors Academy, as being influential mentors in preparing him for life after graduation.
鈥淐heyney helped me to find the value in myself. Before I came here, I was an average student. At Cheyney, I was a Keystone Honors聽Scholar. I believe the positive affirmations from day one helped me to believe and understand that I was already successful 鈥� I just needed to learn a little more. Growing up I wanted to be a Doctor. Cheyney told me I would be a Doctor. There was never a doubt, so I learned not to doubt myself,鈥� said Williams.
With her newfound self-awareness, Williams exited Cheyney and later pursued a master’s degree at Penn State University via the聽Bond-Hill Scholarship聽program. Under this program, eligible CU graduates are given full scholarships to continue their studies in professional and graduate programs.
鈥淐heyney prepared me academically for graduate studies and provided financial backing to pursue those studies,” Williams said. “It also shaped my desire to work in higher education, research, and HBCUs.鈥� Williams obtained her Ed.D from Widener University and is currently a visiting scholar at the聽聽at the University of Pennsylvania.
In spite of the ongoing challenges that HBCUs tragically face, they produce some of the world鈥檚 most influential figures. And it was here, at the nation鈥檚 first HBCU that both Brown and Dr. Williams assembled the necessary skills and experiences to become the successful, well-rounded individuals they are today.
鈥淭o paraphrase Whitley Gilbert (a fictional character from the 1990’s sitcom,聽A Different World), 鈥淵ou can go to school any place, but no school will love you and teach you to love yourself, and know yourself, like聽Cheyney,鈥� said Williams.