At The Top of Their Game: Students Share Success Tips With Their Peers by Linda Bates Parker

Today, African-American college students with excellent academic records are in great demand.  Employers hire the best and brightest for their highly competitive, technological, and global workplaces.  Thus, excellent career opportunities abound for academically achieving Black collegians.

African-American students come to college with high dreams and expectations.  As achievers in high school, they expect to realize similar success in college.  Some are highly motivated and prepared, some highly motivated, but under-prepared, some come to college because it’s expected, with unclear or unrealistic goals and limited or untested motivation. Despite varying degrees of preparedness, some students stay focused, overcoming barriers and distractions, to achieve academic success.  This article recognizes some of those student role models who demonstrate the necessary motivation, resourcefulness and tenacity to graduate at the top of their game.

Aunjanee Williams, 24, (left) a Texas Southern University senior with a 3.72 GPA, aspires to be a Criminal Defense Attorney. “My parents are Texas Southern graduates, however, I am the first of their four children to graduate from college.  I chose a historically Black college for social interaction experiences that I previously were unable to enjoy. I started a family while in college, which became my toughest challenge-- balancing study time and parenthood.  I’ve had to cut social activities on weeknights and designate weekend time for homework. I’ve also avoided silly mistakes that would hinder my future success.  Every experience, good or bad, has made me the person I am today.  With every challenge overcome, strength is our reward.  To be successful you must first believe that you can be successful.  I remember my first college course where the professor exempted those with ‘A’ averages from the final examination.  I told myself then that I would become exempt.  From that moment on, I tried my best and that has made all the difference.  I never knew I could be successful in college, but after making straight A’s two semesters in a row, I gained more self-confidence and was unstoppable.  Now employers are coming to me, from all sorts of fields.”

Teressa Wilkes, 22, graduates in June from Wittenberg University with a Spanish degree and a 3.4 GPA. Planning to go to law school, Teressa stated, “My parents always had high expectations for us.  Their continuous support emotionally, financially, and parentally provided a way for college.  Early in life, they taught me to be responsible, independent and disciplined in academics and athletics. So, I was preparing to manage my time in an intensive academic atmosphere since junior high school.  My two older siblings were my role models, excelling academically and athletically, which pushed me and gave me mental toughness.”  As far as barriers, Teressa candidly stated, “Wittenberg is predominately white.  There are students here who have never met a Black person and being the only person of color on the varsity soccer team, made me the “source” of Blackness for some of my teammates.  Being a minority forces you to educate people, sometimes dealing with ignorance or racism.”

Wittenberg’s Antone Wallace, 21, (left) is an English major with a 3.5 GPA. He plans to work in business, eventually owning his own company. Academic success did not come without sacrifice, admits Antone.  “I had to by-pass a lot of parties to get research papers and assignments done correctly and on time.  I’m happy that I had the sense to sacrifice small enjoyments now, to reap greater benefits down the road.  Juggling football, work-study and a full load of classes was hectic, but learning to manage my time was key.  No matter what college you attend, there are always individuals just there to play, waste money, and not take college seriously.  Filtering out the jokesters from those that were as dedicated as myself was very helpful.  Students wanting to stay on track academically need to know exactly what classes are required for your degree by talking to advisors.  Stay in their faces.  They are there to help.  Know exactly what degree or career you want to pursue.  Have a plan “B” ready and don’t wait past your sophomore year to choose a major or you’ll be behind.”

Renee’ Seward, 21, (left) a University of Cincinnati junior, has a 3.86 GPA, will graduate in 2002, and eventually wants to own her own design studio.  “The Lord’s word has been most helpful to me and my parents’ encouragement.   DAAP is one of the top design schools in the country.  Initially, I was not accepted, but after persuading them to reevaluate my credentials, they gladly welcomed me into the school.”  To stay in this competitive program, Renee’ admits foregoing much of her social life, but feels it’s worth it.  Strongly committed to her goals, she does set aside time to do service projects with her sorority.  She has had excellent travel and learning experiences through internships in Boston and Atlanta.  In thinking about what she might have done differently, Renee’ says, “I would have asked more questions and I would have supplemented my required courses with other electives.  Another language would have expanded my knowledge of other cultures.”   She advises students wanting to succeed academically to, “Talk to your professors.  Most importantly, ask upper classmen questions!  They can give you information on different fields of study, professors, and campus life. Also be humble in your endeavors and achievements and pray for the strength to endure.”

Michael Patton Jr., 27, (left) is a non-traditional student, completing an Industrial Engineering degree at the University of Cincinnati, while working full time.  Engaged and the major provider for his fiancé’s two sons, Michael has still maintained a 3.81 GPA.  When asked how he managed such a tremendous load, he says,  “People ask me this all the time and my response is that I don’t think about my situation.  I just do what needs to be done.  What has been most helpful to me is setting daily goals in line with my long-term goals. By doing this, I’ve remained focused and have kept my priorities straight.”  Working full time makes it difficult to establish relationships with fellow students, but Michael devotes spare time to his family, feeling that this is as much social life as he can handle for now.

Armel Peel, 21, (left) attended Wilberforce University and maintained a 4.0 GPA in computer science. Armel completed his coursework in 3 years to become a software developer. Armel observes, “The environment here at Wilberforce is totally conducive to learning, with tightly knit relationships among supportive faculty, staff, and students.  In the engineering field, many instructors are foreign, which can lead to language barriers, but I listen intently and use context clues to discover the words I do not understand.  To be successful academically, I had to shake the mentality of ‘shoot for a ‘C,’ anything more is a plus.’  Once I began putting forth a little more effort in class, I saw that there were only small differences between a ‘C’ and an ‘A.’ College, like anything else in life, is only as difficult as you make it.  Preparedness is key. Do the simple things and you’ll be surprised how far you get.  Show up everyday on time.  Have all your books and folders.  Get a good night’s rest, and the next day be prepared to work.”

Veronica Walker, 21, (left) also attends Wilberforce with a 3.6 GPA in electrical engineering and mathematics, graduating May 2002.  “My ultimate goal is to use my degree to benefit my people.  There are estimated to be 400,000 villages in the world without power, some located in various parts of Africa.  My ultimate goal is to visit some of these sites and make a difference.”  Veronica says prayer, family support and perseverance were instrumental to her academic success.  “Learning how to be at my best, regardless of the situation, has increased my faith in God.  I haven’t had to eliminate anything from my college experience.  I’ve added new organizations to my resume every year.  I’m currently president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a member of Pan-Hellenic Council; Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, women’s basketball and track teams.  I also mentor and tutor in mathematics.   My mom taught me to reach for the stars because, if I miss, I could always land on the moon.  Never set limits nor allow anyone else to set limits for you.”

 These students represent some of the brightest African-American students graduating from college today. Their inspirational stories should remind all collegians that being average is not an option. Strive to be at the top of your game, despite the hurdles. These students have proven that you can do it, if you try.

Linda Bates Parker is the director of the Career Development Center at the University of Cincinnati.