Cheyney Alum Tamika池塘: “Cheyney Chose Me”
Sometimes it takes the right choices to be offered to help pave a positive path forward. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears.”
塔米卡池塘, 2022届毕业生, Cheyney provided her with choices that were supported by guidance from staff members. These choices have allowed her to earn degrees in programs such as English, 艺术, 和沟通, as well as to become a Supplemental Instructional Leader and enroll in a graduate program.
Ponds admits that it has not been an easy journey, especially when it comes to academics. She dropped out of high school in 9th grade, before eventually returning and earning her GED. 另外, getting through community college had been a huge challenge for her.
然后, she met Vernell Edwards, who was Assistant Registrar at the time, at a college’s recruiting event. He asked to see her transcripts, because she might qualify for a scholarship, but she was hesitant and didn’t believe in herself and academic abilities at the time.
“I wasn’t going to show him because in my mind, I wasn’t good enough for a full scholarship nor knew if my GPA met the criteria,庞兹说。. “Something in me made me submit my transcripts. 不到一个星期，Mr. Edwards got 回来 to me and said I was eligible and I could enter the Keystone Honors Academy.
“I was ecstatic, overwhelmed with excitement and joy with the opportunity.”
From that moment, she committed herself to the unique journey she was embarking upon. She was determined to demonstrate to the university that had realized she had something special in her, that it was no mistake giving her a chance to prove something vital to herself. That she could become successful.
“It’s hard to believe how far I’ve come, especially as a non-traditional student,庞兹说。. “I currently work at the same school that gave me a chance to better my future.”
Ponds is a Supplemental Instructional Leader at Cheyney, where she hosts workshops to assist students with writing development. 另外, she is currently a graduate student in the Goddard College’s Creative Writing program where she takes courses virtually and is an editor for the school’s literary journal.
Her ultimate goal is to use the skills she learned before and during her time as a student to teach students in a classroom of her own someday.
“I want to work with college students from diverse 回来grounds; those who have set their goals and especially those, 谁喜欢我, need that extra push to find success.”
During her time at Cheyney, she met some of the most amazing people who helped her from day one, including Stephanie Stevens, 临时注册, in the Enrollment Office. Meeting and getting to know some of the professors gave her faith in herself and the boost she needed.
“Seeing Black women like Dr. Norma George (Professor, Humanities Department) and Dr. Tamara Hollins (Professor of English) each reminded me that there are no do-overs in life,庞兹说。. “They grounded me in a way that forced me to take life more seriously. Seeing women like them made me feel I could have a place in academia as well.”
Ponds said that if nothing else, she is an individual who embodies what it means to never give up.
“I was a high school dropout who became a professional academic. I learned to never give up on myself, even when it seemed as if the world had written me off. Let my journey be a reminder that none of us lack what it takes to become amazing individuals,庞兹说。.
“I am forever grateful and humble to be part of the legacy of Black excellence that I read about, especially those who have roots in Cheyney University. 澳博体育app选择了我.”
Check out Tamika’s Spoken Word Piece below!
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