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The Howl April Email Newsletter 

Cheyney University’s Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management Program Achieves Reaccreditation by ACPHA

Cheyney, PA – March 11^th 2024 – Cheyney University is proud to announce that its Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) Program has been successfully reaccredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), affirming the program’s commitment to the highest educational standards in preparing students for their future careers in the hospitality industry.

This reaccreditation recognizes the HRTM Program’s excellence in curriculum, faculty, resources, and student support services. The comprehensive review process conducted by ACPHA ensures that accredited programs meet or exceed the industry standards that are essential for preparing students for roles in hospitality management.

“Receiving reaccreditation from ACPHA is a significant achievement that reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students,” said Krystal Peters, Program Coordinator of the HRTM Program at Cheyney University. “This accomplishment underscores our program’s quality and our commitment to providing an exceptional education that equips our graduates for successful careers in the dynamic field of hospitality.”

The HRTM Program at Cheyney University offers a rigorous curriculum designed to provide students with a strong foundation in hospitality management principles, practical experience through internships, and opportunities for professional development. The program’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and leadership prepares students to meet the evolving needs of the hospitality and tourism industry.

Cheyney University extends its gratitude to the advisory board, alumni, and industry partners for their continuous support and contributions to the program’s success. The university remains dedicated to enhancing its academic offerings and sustaining a learning environment that fosters the personal and professional growth of its students.

For more information about the HRTM Program at Cheyney University, please visit https://cheyney.edu/academics/special-programs/hotel-restaurant-and-tourism-management/ .

About the Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management Program The Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management (HRTM) Program, chartered in 1975, prepares confident, competent, and reflective leaders by providing students with a cutting-edge experiential education that boosts their industry knowledge, hones their decision-making and critical thinking skills, and prepares them for entry-level managerial success. The hospitality industry is among the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world, and hospitality careers are plentiful and varied as they encompass the sub-sectors of hotels and lodging, food and beverage, travel and tourism, recreation and leisure, and meetings and events.

(CHEYNEY, PA – October 10, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded Cheyney University $495,878 under the Critical Sectors Job Quality Grants Program, which will be used to establish a Winery Management certification in collaboration with Chaddsford Winery’s Vice President and General Manager, and the members of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. Cheyney is one of seven institutions awarded this grant.

The grant funds will facilitate the development and enhancement of educational initiatives aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities. Cheyney’s award is a component of the $16 million comprehensive initiative launched to improve job quality and expand access to high-quality employment in critical sectors such as care, climate resilience, and hospitality.

Ms. Vanessa Atkins, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships and Career Pathways at Cheyney University, played a pivotal role in securing this grant. In response to this achievement, she shared her enthusiasm, stating, “We are overjoyed to have been recognized as a Critical Sector Job Quality award recipient. This money will allow us to expand our educational offerings and provide our students with the skills they need to flourish in critical industries like care, climate resilience, and hospitality.”

The grant will provide career advancement opportunities for those currently working in the industry, a micro-credential for those training to enter the industry, and re-skilling for displaced workers seeking to enter the field at the management level. Those who complete the certificate and decide to return to Cheyney for a degree in HRTM will also be provided with a formula for earning credit towards a degree in the HRTM program as determined by the HRTM faculty.

Corey Krejcik, Vice President and General Manager of Chaddsford Winery notes, “No industry fully encapsulates a 360-degree view of hospitality, manufacturing, and agritourism quite like the wine industry. As a business leader in this sector, Chaddsford Winery is thrilled to collaborate on this trailblazing initiative with Cheyney University. It reinforces our long-term commitment to elevating the credibility, representation and economic impact that local wine production has on the Brandywine Valley and its surrounding areas.”

This award exemplifies the university’s dedication to ensuring that its students are prepared to achieve success in industries that lack representation and where workers are in demand. This further affirms Cheyney’s role as a catalyst for workforce development and economic growth.

Brent Parton, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, emphasized the significance of the Critical Sector Job Quality grants, saying, “The Critical Sectors Job Quality grants will enable recipients to create and expand partnerships to develop training programs to provide the workforce needed in high-demand industries.” Cheyney University is committed to fulfilling this vision by collaborating with industry partners to bridge the skills gap and drive innovation in these critical sectors.

Cheyney University extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Biden-Harris Administration for their generous support through the Critical Sector Job Quality grant and looks forward to working closely with industry partners and the community to achieve its goals. “Cheyney University is committed to supporting student achievement and meeting the changing needs of the labor market,” stated Atkins. “We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for their continuous support and acknowledgement of our purpose.”

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About Cheyney University: 

Founded in 1837, Cheyney University is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, the university is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares students for leadership and success in a diverse world. Cheyney University offers a wide range of academic programs, emphasizing the importance of excellence, community engagement, and career readiness. For more information, visit www.Cheyney.edu 

Tamiah Morrison, senior criminal justice major from Claymont, DE is inducted as the 51st Miss Cheyney during her Coronation on October 7, 2023.

Q: Why did you choose to attend Cheyney?

TAMIAH: I chose to attend Cheyney because I didn’t want to attend school in my own state. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and attend an HBCU. So, in wanting to attend an HBCU why not attend the First HBCU and be a part of history, a blueprint.

Q: What is the platform (the causes) you are running on and why is this important to you? In other words, how do your personal passions and beliefs inform your work as Ms. Cheyney?

TAMIAH: My platform is “Be your Own Hero” which encourages students to go out and try new things, join orgs and to be the best versions of themselves regardless of obstacles that may be in the way.

My platform is important to me because I am setting an example for students who believe they cannot do things due to obstacles they may be facing and for people to truly start believing in themselves and beating the odds society has placed against them. Some people don’t know this, but I have Severe Anxiety before every performance before I get up and speak, I am terrified, but I do it to prove to myself and others you can do anything you put your mind to. I am also in the process of going blind, growing up I was told that I couldn’t drive, play sports and that I should just try to enjoy life while I can see. I didn’t let that stop me and everyday I’m proving not only to myself but to everyone who said I couldn’t do something that I can and if you truly want to you can too.

Q: What motivated you to run for Miss Cheyney?

TAMIAH: The 47^th Miss Cheyney University Kiyana T. Roberts. She was such an amazing queen and seeing all the things she did really inspired me to want to reign as powerful and strong and leave my mark with this beautiful legacy. She was the first HBCU queen I have ever met, and her spirit was so amazing and pure.

Q: In what ways do you believe being Ms. Cheyney will prepare you for your future?

TAMIAH: I believe being Miss Cheyney is preparing me for the future in so many ways including time management, multitasking, working with different personalities and public speaking.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face as Miss Cheyney and how do you overcome them?

TAMIAH: Severe Anxiety, Mood disorder and Blindness. I overcome them by pushing myself to be the best I can be. The student body motivates me to want to be better so I can be an example of someone who’s going through the same problem, someone who constantly puts themselves down thinking I can’t do things but, you can do anything you put your mind to.

Q: How do you look at the responsibility of your role here on campus and what do you think students can learn from you?

TAMIAH: I look at my role here on campus as being a Female student leader set to empower/motivate the student body. I believe students can learn a lot from me especially those who been here since 2020 and can see the difference how I am actively trying to make Cheyney better that I’m trying to give students more opportunities to better themselves and engage is student activities. I have set goals to also put Cheyney on the map and every room I have walked in, you cannot forget the name Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania, The Nations First HBCU.

By Kimberly O’Shields, original article published August 21 found here.

Nestled about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania owns the distinction of having the longest history out of all historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The school has been renamed five times during its 186-year history since it was first founded in 1837 as The African Institute by the Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys.

But a long and storied history doesn’t mean that it’s always smooth sailing for the administrators and staff members who are serving the current generation of CU students and helping them develop the character, intellect, and talent required to succeed in today’s world.

In 2018, President of Cheyney University Aaron A. Walton made the commitment to join the Healthier Campus Initiative and to provide additional resources for pursuing the 41 evidence-based guidelines developed for improving menus, exercise options, and resources for food security.

But like many institutions of higher learning—and too many small schools and HBCUs—Cheyney’s momentum was starkly challenged by the pandemic. As COVID-19 restrictions have gradually eased, and schools across the country move towards a new normal in the wake of a global pandemic, I’ve been working closely with many campuses to regain that pre-pandemic momentum and to support champions for student wellbeing.

One of my favorite collaborations, by far, has been working with Success Coach for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Academic Affairs Tracey Smith and her team of passionate and creative professionals. Tracey has presented at Healthier Campus Initiative conferences and is actively reaching out to share Cheyney’s successes even in the face of limited funding.

Creativity doesn’t cost a thing

Cheyney University offers ten major and six minor degrees and is currently home to about 700 undergraduate students. Coming out of the pandemic, university professionals are seeing increasing numbers of students experiencing food insecurities, strained mental health, decreased physical activity, and a reduced sense of overall wellbeing.

“At Cheyney, we are committed to student academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility,” says Tracey. “Our partnership with Continuum Solutions LLC and the Healthier Campus Initiative has been a valuable resource as we work to sustainably keep that commitment.” Over the past year, we’ve collaborated on several creative initiatives to the benefit of CU students, and together we’ve increased the opportunities for CU students to be active and improve their overall wellbeing.

Food insecurity is a real obstacle for many college students on campuses across North America, and Cheyney University students aren’t immune to its chilling specter. “We’ve seen a definite increase in the number of student visits to the food pantry,” says Roslyn Henderson, Director of the Trio Student Services Program at Cheyney University. During #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK2022, the Cheyney University Wolf Pantry provided fresh produce for the campus’ traveling produce wagon. Additional nutritional activities and support were provided by CU’s dietary services.

For the second year, Cheyney University success coaches Katrina Banks, Laura Vargus, and Tracey Smith have raised awareness for and provided activities to the campus community about wellbeing by providing a Woosah Day on the quad where students and staff could come and participate in Chakra Balancing, chair massage, meditation, and yoga. We know that recreation programs that emphasize mindfulness and exercise can reduce perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and negative mood.

Physical fitness and activity has also been an area of focus for CU professionals. Pat Walker, the former Cheyney University Intramural and Recreation Programs Director, put the c in creativity by designing the Cheyney Backyard Bowl in collaboration with West Chester University in 2018–2019. The partnership encourages recreational sport participation and social interactions between the two neighboring PASSHE institutions located roughly seven miles apart. Flag football, 3v3 basketball, volleyball, and 5v5 basketball contests have been held, with winners collecting points toward the overall University Champion.

Current Cheyney University Intramural Director Sue Rumer has been continuing this activity since the pandemic concluded. The collaborative partnership gives college recreational sports participants an opportunity to compete, coordinate, officiate, and connect with skilled peers from outside the Cheyney University walls and to take the benefits of recreational competition to a higher level.

The creation of the Howlin Wolves Swimmers is another creative collaboration to come out of Cheyney University this past year: A group of four recreation major and minor students came together for about a month of daily swim practices off campus. The Howlin Wolves Swimmers represented Cheyney University at the first ever HBCU Swim Meet at Morehouse College in Atlanta, competing hard and securing several second-place finishes.

In addition to all those efforts, CU Intramural and Recreation Programs and Healthier Campus teamed up to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Lady Wolves Division I Basketball Team playing in the first-ever D1 Championship title game against Louisiana Tech in March of 1982. Cheyney remains the only HBCU school to play for a DI National Championship; the 1982 Cheyney team was also the first team to make it to the Final Four and a championship game with an all-women coaching staff and it was also the first Black coaching staff at an NCAA Division I finals.

C. Vivian Stringer, who coached that 1982 team, is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and in the spring of 2023 ESPN released a feature special on Coach Stringer and the 1982 championship team.

The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and CBS Sports also released a documentary on Coach Vivian Stringer this past year titled Dear Coach Stringer.

The Healthier Campus Initiative’s Largest Physical Challenge and #HEALTHYCAMPUSWEEK encouraged CU professionals to embrace creative activities year around. “Physical activity is so important,” says Tracey. “We got to move it, move it!”

This work is personal for me

While Tracey and her team have been collaborating with me and the Healthier Campus Initiative going back to 2018, Cheyney University has been near and dear to my heart since I was three years old; this work is profoundly personal for me. My grandfather, Coach William O’Shields, was inducted in the Cheyney Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979. He came to campus in 1947 as the first male Health and Physical Education teacher; he was promptly put in charge of the athletics program, where he would eventually coach football, cross country, basketball, and track and field.

In 2005, the Cheyney University football stadium was re-named O’Shields-Stevenson Stadium in honor of my grandfather and fellow Cheyney Athletics’ hall-of-famer James Stevenson. In 2018, administrators had to make difficult decisions about the downsizing of athletics programs at Cheyney, and ultimately football was suspended until the financial situation at Cheyney improves.

It’s been a pleasure to partner with Cheyney University and to witness their incredible work with limited resources. I know my grandfather would be proud.

Students learned from MIT instructors at the 76ers training facility at the week-long camp

(CHEYNEY, PA – August 15, 2023) – Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is proud to announce the successful completion of its first Sports Analytics Training Camp for students, in partnership with The Philadelphia 76ers, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Mosaic Development Partners. The groundbreaking collaboration aims to revolutionize athlete intelligence and performance analytics by bringing together the mission of Cheyney University, the cutting-edge research capabilities of MIT and the expertise of one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.

Cheyney University’s Sports Analytics Training Camp brings a wealth of practical sports analytics knowledge and real-world experience to the collaboration. Through the camp, aspiring analysts gained hands-on exposure to cutting-edge techniques and tools used in professional sports. By participating in this collaborative initiative, Cheyney’s program will contribute invaluable insights and perspectives from their diverse pool of talented individuals, enabling them to bridge the gap between academia and the sports industry.

“We are honored to join forces with the Philadelphia 76ers and MIT in this groundbreaking initiative,” said Aaron Walton, President of the Cheyney University. “Our program has always aimed to empower the next generation of sports analytics professionals, and this partnership provides an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible impact. By merging the theoretical knowledge of MIT with the practical application provided by the 76ers, we are poised to revolutionize athlete intelligence.”

Senior biology major Kishore Owusu wasn’t sure if this program was for him, considering he’s a computer science major. However, with some assurance from his peers and Vanessa Atkins, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships & Career Pathways, he was encouraged to add this once-in-a-lifetime experience to his repertoire. Now, he wants to encourage students to take chances on themselves.

“This has helped me become a better leader. What I want to emphasize to my fellow Cheyney students is you should get comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Kishore. “Get yourself out there. Learn new skills that can help you in the long run.”

The Philadelphia 76ers have long been at the forefront of embracing data-driven decision-making in the NBA. Through this collaborative effort, the team aims to further enhance their analytical capabilities and gain a competitive edge in player development and game strategies. By leveraging the advanced statistical models and analytical tools developed by MIT, and incorporating the practical insights provided by Cheyney’s Sports Analytics Training Camp, the 76ers are committed to driving innovation and maximizing performance on and off the court.

“One of our goals as an organization is to provide more opportunities for communities who are underrepresented,” said David Gould, chief diversity and impact officer for HBSE. “Part of that is through our HBCU fellowship program providing exposure to possible careers in sports and entertainment. We’re proud to support this partnership and to propel people into industry moving forward.”

Held at the Sixers’ training complex in Camden, New Jersey, the students received hands-on experience working in a group setting. During the weeklong assimilation, the Cheyney scholars evaluated multiple HBSE challenges and provided solutions.

The camp was sparked by Mosaic Development Partners, a Black-owned real estate developer based in North Philadelphia. Mosaic has been instrumental in Cheyney’s redevelopment plans, including the university’s sciences hub where several companies have located to provide services such as biotech and cancer research, agribusiness, lab testing, renewable energy, esports, and 3D printing.

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Cheyney University of Pennsylvania – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

Philadelphia 76ers – The Philadelphia 76ers, founded in 1946, are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known for their commitment to excellence and innovation, the 76ers have a rich history in the NBA and are dedicated to leveraging data-driven decision-making to gain a competitive edge.

Mosaic Development Partners JV:
Mosaic Development Partners JV (Mosaic) is a Philadelphia-based, minority certified commercial real estate development company founded in 2008. Mosaic primarily focuses on ground up development and adaptive reuse of land and buildings in marginalized urban centers. The company has successfully used viable and innovative financial and construction methods to help stabilize and grow neighborhoods.

About MIT – The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world-renowned research institution recognized for its leadership in technological advancements and analytical research. With a focus on pushing the boundaries of knowledge, MIT’s expertise will be instrumental in developing cutting-edge statistical models and machine learning algorithms for athlete intelligence.