Academics
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s first HBCU, and it upholds a strong legacy of educating students through exposure to premier academics, pioneering research, and civic engagement. The school strives to keep a fresh perspective in all aspects of its operation under the “New Cheyney” initiative, and continues to stress social responsibility even as it constantly innovates. The school’s current strategic plan aims to identify its strongest core offerings and assure appropriate resources, while also expanding to additional areas such as health sciences, ecology, and African American studies. Degree programs are spread across two schools (the School of Arts and the School of Education and Professional Studies), and there are several special programs available, including Hotel, Restaurant, & Tourism Management, pre-law, and pre-med. All students must complete a General Education curriculum, which comprises core, distribution, and intensive requirements; core requirements include several credits of essential skills such as speech and critical analysis, as well as the course African-American Experience in Global Context. Intensive requirements provide more in-depth instruction in topics such as information literacy and African-American Heritage.
Career
As part of the First Year Experience (FYE), the Cheyney University Learning Communities program groups firstyears into cohorts based on educational goals and interests, so they can live and learn together within residence halls. This dual academic and social support network reinforces the idea of collaboration and the involvement of ideas and issues outside of the classroom. The FYE also incorporates Discovery Days, which introduce students to Cheyney’s traditions (and to each other) and help them learn to navigate college life. Cheyney is committed to the overall development of each student and makes holistic support readily available; students all have access to university Life Coaches, who help them maintain mental health and general well-being, as well as Success Coaches, who provide mentorship, workshops, and connections to activities and service. A number of student organizations and intramural sports offer students the chance to explore interests outside of the classroom, as do the nine fraternities and sororities present on campus. Students can also participate in critical research at the Cheyney University Institute for the Contemporary African American Experience, which is a center for the study of contemporary issues related to race, access, and diversity in society today.
Culture
As part of the latest strategic plan, Cheyney looks to incorporate career skills and opportunities into the curriculum and classroom assignments, and the school has partnerships with organizations to provide internship opportunities that vary from semester to semester. The school also provides a map of possible jobs that connect to each available major, called Career Pathways. Payscale.com says Cheyney graduates make an average base salary of $67,000 a year. Notable alumni include 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley, Pennsylvania secretary of education Pedro Rivera, and civil rights activist Bayard Rustin.
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