Sarah Walker is Rising With Purpose

Who's That Girl? Sarah Walker

Honors Scholar Sarah Walker Embodies the Cheyney Experience

At Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, student success is not defined by a single achievement. It is built through discipline, leadership, and a willingness to step beyond the classroom. Honors sophomore Sarah Walker represents that standard in motion.

An Honors Scholar with a 3.67 GPA, Sarah has distinguished herself not only through academic performance, but through the way she engages with the full range of opportunities available to her. As an Honors Ambassador and a member of the university’s cheer squad, she carries both visibility and responsibility. She represents Cheyney in spaces where excellence is expected and where preparation matters.

Her approach is deliberate. Rather than treating college as a series of requirements, Sarah has treated it as a platform. She has actively pursued programs that expand her perspective, strengthen her professional readiness, and connect her to broader networks of opportunity.

Among those experiences is her selection for a South Africa study abroad cohort through the HBCU Africa Education Coalition. The program is designed to increase access to global learning experiences across Africa and its Diaspora, offering students both cultural immersion and academic enrichment. For Sarah, the opportunity signals more than travel. It reflects intellectual curiosity and a commitment to understanding the global context of her education.

She has also been selected, for the second time, to participate in DevCon through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The program focuses on career readiness, leadership development, and direct engagement with top employers. Returning to DevCon is not incidental. It suggests that Sarah is not only competitive, but consistent in how she presents herself in professional environments.

Her involvement extends into high-level academic competition as well. As a participant in the HBCU Battle of the Brains, she joins students from across the country in a national championship that blends problem solving, innovation, and employer visibility. It is a setting that rewards both intellect and teamwork, and one that places students directly in front of organizations seeking emerging talent.

At the same time, Sarah serves as a campus ambassador for the PROPEL Center, an initiative focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology exposure for HBCU students. In this role, she is not simply a participant. She is helping to connect other students to opportunities that can shape their futures.

What stands out is not any single accomplishment, but the pattern. Sarah is building a portfolio of experiences that reinforce one another. Academic rigor supports her credibility. Leadership roles expand her influence. External programs sharpen her direction.

This is exactly the kind of student experience the Cheyney University Honors Academy is designed to cultivate. Students who are engaged, well-rounded, and intentional about their growth.

For current students, her example is practical. Opportunities exist, but they require initiative. For prospective students, her story is proof of what is possible within the Cheyney environment. For alumni, it is a reminder that the university continues to produce students who are prepared to compete and lead.

Sarah Walker is not waiting for opportunities to find her. She is actively building them. And in doing so, she reflects the very best of what Cheyney strives to develop in every scholar who walks its campus.

March 20, 2026
3:10 pm

Mecca’s Mega Moment: Cheyney Honors Student Shines on The Jennifer Hudson Show with Will Packer

Stepping Into The National Spotlight

Cheyney Honors Academy turns preparation into opportunity on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

In a moment that perfectly captures what it means to be #CheyneyMade, Cheyney University Honors Academy student Mecca turned an unexpected opportunity into a defining milestone on the national stage of The Jennifer Hudson Show.

While attending a live taping, Mecca was selected from the audience and invited into the spotlight alongside acclaimed film producer Will Packer, known for producing some of Hollywood’s most successful and culture-shaping films.

What followed was a powerful display of confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Without hesitation, Mecca shared her passion for filmmaking and her aspirations within the entertainment industry. Standing on stage, she spoke with the poise, vision, and authenticity of someone already walking in her purpose, representing not only herself, but the excellence cultivated within Cheyney’s Honors Academy.

Moments like these don’t happen by chance. They are the result of preparation, dedication, and the courage to rise when opportunity calls.

At Cheyney University, students are equipped to lead, create, and step boldly into spaces where their voices matter. Mecca’s moment is a reflection of that legacy, one rooted in excellence, strengthened through scholarship, and driven by possibility.

“This is what it looks like when preparation meets opportunity,” said Clarence Williams, Chief Advancement Officer for Cheyney University. “We are incredibly proud of Mecca for representing Cheyney with such confidence and authenticity on a national platform.”

As the moment continues to gain attention, one thing is clear: this is only the beginning.

Congratulations, Mecca, on this incredible milestone. Your Wolfpack family is cheering you on every step of the way.

March 20, 2026
2:53 pm

Cheyney Scholars Step onto the National Stage at TMCF DEVCON

Prepared. Unified. Unmistakable.

Cheyney Scholars Step onto the National Stage at TMCF DEVCON

Twenty students from Cheyney University traveled to Baltimore, MD to attend the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s DEVCON Leadership and Career Development Conference. They did more than just attend, they represented a legacy. They embodied preparation. And in a national arena filled with opportunity and competition, they stood out.

Held February 18–21, 2026, TMCF DevCon, is a four-day regional conference centered on professional development for college freshmen and sophomores from public and private historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The annual gathering brings together high-achieving scholars, Fortune 500 recruiters, federal agencies, and nonprofit leaders for leadership development, professional training, and direct recruitment opportunities.

This year’s Cheyney delegation was the largest the University has sent in more than a decade. Yet what distinguished the group was not simply its size, but its presence.

A Presence That Spoke Without Words

Throughout the conference, organizers and recruiters praised Cheyney students for their professionalism, confidence, and unity. Dressed in coordinated Cheyney apparel, the delegation projected more than school pride. They communicated alignment, preparation, and institutional identity and observers took notice.

Conference representatives remarked that Cheyney students had “stepped up,” pointing to their professionalism and cohesion as indicators of a strong institutional culture and readiness for opportunity. In highly competitive national environments, presence matters. Cheyney’s scholars understood that before they spoke a single word.

When Preparation Meets Opportunity

The results reflected both readiness and ambition.

One Cheyney scholar was selected to serve as a DEVCON student speaker, an honor reserved for emerging leaders who demonstrate voice, vision, and excellence.
Several students secured internship opportunities through on-site recruitment.
Others received financial awards and conference recognitions.

Yet the experience extended beyond tangible outcomes. Students expanded professional networks, sharpened career focus, and gained confidence in their place within competitive professional spaces.

President Aaron A. Walton sees moments like this as evidence of the University’s mission realized in real time. “When our students enter national spaces prepared, confident, and unified, they demonstrate the strength of a Cheyney education,” Walton said. “Their success affirms our commitment to preparing scholars who are ready to lead, compete, and excel on every stage.”

DevCon connects students with leading employers across technology, finance, defense, retail, and federal service sectors. The exposure opens pathways to internships, graduate study, and long-term career placement. For Cheyney students, it was not only access to opportunity, but affirmation of belonging.

The Honors Academy Difference

Many members of the delegation were scholars in Cheyney University’s Honors Academy, a selective program designed to cultivate high-achieving students through rigorous scholarship, leadership development, and professional readiness preparation.

Dr. Janelle L. West, Dean of the Honors Academy, said the experience affirmed both preparation and purpose. “Our scholars arrived prepared, polished, and ready to compete,” West said. DevCon confirmed what we already know: Cheyney students belong in every room where leadership, innovation, and opportunity are being shaped.”

Through academic rigor, leadership training, and career preparation, the Honors Academy equips students to thrive in environments where excellence is expected. DevCon provided a national stage where that preparation became visible.

More Than Attendance: Visibility and Identity

What unfolded in Baltimore, MD was more than participation. It was visibility. It was brand elevation. It was student advancement.

Cheyney’s unified presence signaled organization, purpose, and pride, qualities that resonate with employers, partners, and prospective students alike. Their cohesion demonstrated that institutional identity is not abstract; it is lived, worn, and carried into every room where opportunity exists. In national spaces where first impressions matter, the delegation’s alignment amplified both individual opportunity and institutional reputation.

Returning with More Than Experience

For many students, the most lasting outcome cannot be measured in awards or internship offers. They returned with greater confidence and clarity. They saw themselves in rooms of influence. They built networks that extend beyond the conference halls. They recognized their competitiveness and potential.

They returned with a stronger belief in what is possible.

Building Forward Momentum

Participation in national convenings like DevCon strengthens Cheyney University’s visibility, expands access to career pipelines, and reinforces its commitment to preparing students for leadership and professional success. It also reflects the University’s broader momentum and ongoing transformation honoring its historic legacy while advancing boldly into the future. For the students who attended, the experience was not simply a trip. It was a turning point. And for Cheyney University, it was a powerful reminder that preparation, pride, and partnership continue to open doors on the national stage.

To contact the Cheyney University Honors Academy, click here.

Stay up to date with the Honors Academy on Instagram (@cuhonors1837).

Honoring the Legacy: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Cheyney, and the Power of Black Excellence

Jesse Jackson devoted his life to advancing Black dignity, justice, and empowerment. Take a moment with us, as we honor a legacy that continues to shape generations.

An HBCU graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Rev. Jackson carried the spirit of Historically Black Colleges and Universities wherever he went — rooted in community, grounded in excellence, and unapologetic about the value of Black lives and leadership.

His connection to Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was both meaningful and enduring. In May of 2012, Rev. Jackson received an honorary doctorate from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, where he also served as the commencement speaker. During the ceremony, he urged graduates to “Keep hope alive” and emphasized fighting for social change, a message consistent with his extensive civil rights work. This was a moment that affirmed his impact not only on our campus, but on the broader Black academic and cultural legacy.

Read more about that day here: Jesse Jackson makes impression with Cheyney grads

During his visits to Cheyney, he left more than a powerful impression. He inspired many after him to continue walking in Black excellence, collective liberation, and the unwavering pursuit of justice. His words challenged students to stand tall in their identity, lead with purpose, and carry forward the responsibility of serving their communities with courage and integrity.

Rev. Jackson’s work was never just about speeches — it was about service. About showing up. About protecting our people. About speaking truth to power and reminding us that our presence in every room matters.

We invite you to watch archival footage of Rev. Jackson speaking directly to Cheyney students decades ago, and to explore reflections from leaders and community members who continue to be shaped by his life and legacy via the links below.

Rest in power, Rev. Jackson. Your strength lives in us. Your dignity guides us. Your legacy moves through every student who dares to lead.

Jesse Jackson spoke to voters in Philadelphia about his plans for America during a campaign stop at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania ahead of the 1984 Democratic presidential primaries.

Community Reflections & Tributes

Explore reflections from members of our Cheyney Community whose lives were touched by Rev. Jesse Jackson’s leadership, courage, and commitment to Black empowerment.

JESSE JACKSON VISITING MY BELOVED CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA IN 1992 – TANISHA LAVERNE GRANT on IG

#TBT 1992 Reverend Jesse Jackson at Cheyney – Rainie Williams on FB

My reflection on Bro. Rev. Jesse Jackson #TBT 1992 Reverend Jesse Jackson at Cheyney – @coachka20 on IG

Commonwealth of PA: PHRC Statement on the Passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson via PA.gov

Making Headlines as Cheyney Prepares the Next Generation

Preparing Tomorrow’s Scholars, Today

Cheyney University continues to make headlines for the work it’s doing to support the next generation of scholars. Through new and expanded programs designed for high school students, Cheyney is gaining attention for its commitment to early access, college readiness, and meaningful on-campus experiences. These initiatives reflect how Cheyney is expanding access and readiness for college-bound students through campus visits and immersive preparatory experiences—made possible by strategic partnerships and targeted investments.

The Philadelphia Tribune:

Read About the Campus Visit Project Here

Philadelphia PHL17

Watch the PHL17 News Report Here

PHL17 Coverage - Cheyney receives grant from TMCF

These stories reflect Cheyney University’s continued commitment to the advancement and success of students—long before they step onto campus. As Cheyney expands programs that nurture readiness, confidence, and belonging, the University expects to remain a strong presence in the news for the work it’s doing to support and uplift future scholars.

Have you seen Cheyney doing amazing things in the news?

Let us know! Email Public Relations

JASIR JONES

Jasir Jones Is Just Getting Started

A young leader with vision, purpose, and unapologetic drive, Jasir Jones is shaping Cheyney University and now the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania one step at a time.

When Jasir Jones reflects on his journey to Cheyney University, he speaks with the confidence of someone who understands that every detour, every challenge, and every unexpected turn was preparing him for something bigger. Now a Business Administration major and the current SGA President, Jones leads with energy, authenticity, and a commitment to improving the lives of the students around him.

Jones grew up between Philadelphia and Maryland, two worlds that shaped him in different ways. Philadelphia gave him his roots. Maryland gave him his voice. In high school, he rose to leadership quickly at a predominantly white institution, serving as both class president and student body president. It was there he first learned how to advocate for others, build consensus, and stay true to himself in rooms where he was often the only one who looked like him.

Cheyney wasn’t his original plan. He imagined beginning his college career in Atlanta, but obstacles kept redirecting him. A conversation with a friend, followed by an unexpected scholarship opportunity, shifted everything. What he once viewed as a backup option became the place he felt instantly connected to, a place where he later discovered his grandmother, aunts, and uncles had all walked the same grounds.

“God will always put you where you’re supposed to be,” he says. For Jones, that place was Cheyney.

Built for This Moment

From the moment he arrived on campus, Jones poured himself into leadership. Freshman Class President. Vice President of Executive Affairs. And now, SGA President for the 2025–2026 academic year. In this role, he serves as the voice of the student body, the liaison to university leadership, and the person responsible for elevating student concerns with clarity and impact.

“Student leaders are students too,” he says. “We live the same struggles. My job is to make sure our concerns are not only heard, but taken seriously.”

His influence stretches far beyond campus. Jones represents Cheyney at civic events across the region, from the Mayor’s Ball to NAACP youth programs, sharing the significance of HBCUs, the strength of community, and the value of Cheyney’s legacy.

This year, Jones gained statewide recognition when he was appointed to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs. Established under Governor Josh Shapiro, the Commission brings African American leaders into direct conversation with state government to address inequities in education, economic opportunity, criminal justice, health outcomes, and community empowerment.

Commissioners advise the Governor, recommend policy solutions, connect with Black communities across Pennsylvania, and help shape programs that improve conditions for African American residents.

Jones is now the first Cheyney student ever appointed to this Commission, a milestone that reflects not only his leadership but the power of Cheyney’s presence at the state level.

“It’s a blessing and an opportunity,” he says. “My goal is to make sure that another Cheyney student comes right after me.”

Finding His Voice and Using It

Jones speaks with purpose, but also with ease. He laughs when he recalls being nicknamed “World Domination,” a playful response to his long list of goals—class president, leadership boards, and more. Rather than shrinking from the label, he leaned into it.

“If that’s what they want to call it, fine,” he says with a smile. “I call it pushing myself. I call it showing up for my community.”

What he wants future Cheyney students, especially incoming freshmen, to know is simple:

“Never doubt yourself. If you want it, go get it. Your belief in yourself is the first step.”

This Is Only the Beginning

Jones talks about legacy often, not as a slogan but as a responsibility. Leadership, for him, is less about the role and more about who benefits from it.

“I want to leave something behind that makes it easier for the next student coming up.”

With his SGA presidency, statewide appointment, and undeniable presence on campus, Jones is already shaping Cheyney’s future. And with his drive, charisma, and unshakable sense of purpose, one thing is clear:

Jasir Jones is just getting started.