I'm thinking about transferring. I've stayed this long because I
thought the feeling would go away, but it hasn't. I cant exactly put a
finger on how I'm feeling but its like I don't belong/I feel like I'm
just going to class and that's it. I'm very involved(NAACP,SGA-Diversity
Affairs,Rotaract,etc). Then there's the "diversity" thing. If that's
not the biggest load of bull! Pretty much have mostly African American
associates, but I have tried to reach out to different races, but
everyone self segregates but pretends to be diverse on certain days and
events. Ive gotten the argument of "oh an hbcu=ghetto" and "you wont get
a job"etc. I don't care about the nice facilities here, that's nice and
everything but I would rather be happy than brag about Olympic size
pools and stuff that I don't even use or aren't really welcomed to
because of nasty looks from the Anglos. Also something that hurt was
when I saw a noose near the stadium. It was the first time I ever had to
deal with something like this. We were told we might see some ignorant
things, but that hurt inside. Ive seem a caravan of men in sheets with a huge confederate flag yelling white power. The feeling of hate, knowing that no
matter how much a sorority girl partied, she would get the answer key to
the test etc. I know that no where is perfect, but I want to be in an
environment where professors are nurturing success, history,scholarship.
Where I can fellowship with other students like me, and not have to
worry about the snickers and responses to my answers as if they are
inadequate while my white counterparts give ignorant answers and its ok.
I want to transfer to Howard, but the earliest that I can would be spring(praying that I'm accepted). I didn't go there because they lost my application twice, so I didn't get the chance to be denied or accepted.
We feel that this interview will help! We interview Nina Whitfield and she transferred from a pwi to PVAMU Check a portion of her interview out below! Full Interview Here
"How did you decide to become a student at Prairie View A&M University?
Originally, I started my college career at a PWI. At first I loved it! But after the hype of freshman year went away, I realized that I was just a number to the university and my professors truly didn’t care anything about me excelling academically even though that was what I was paying them to do. So my sophomore year I transferred to PVAMU. I got to know ALL of the professors of my major and the Dean of my college very well and they do everything in their power to make sure I graduate a leader in my field of study.
What professors at Prairie View A&M University are leaving or have left the most impression upon you as a student and/or person? What did they do that continues to mean so much to you to this day?
Dr. Derek Wilson is the head of the psychology department PVAMU and has had the biggest impact not only on me but to the majority of the psychology majors of my university. He has an open door/ open discussion policy in his office which is EXTREMLY rare of a department head or a professor period! My colleagues and I have the opportunity to talk about any topic and express ourselves freely in his office, without feeling restricted out the fear of offending anybody. He has accomplished a lot and he realizes that he is the stepping stone of our success, and he sacrifices a lot his personal time for his students.
What is the story of your "experience" to date at Prairie View A&M University given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious HBCU?
Homecoming is where you’ll usually see your Alumni, but at my university at any given day you could see an Alumnus that graduated way back in the day, for no particular reason at all! One day I met an Alumni that graduated with a degree in my same major, Psychology, went on to earn their PH.D and now has their own practice out of state. He offered me lunch and we talked about my future career goals. He said that he was very impressed with my ambition and he gave me his email so that I could keep him updated about everything. I was so grateful to have made that connection. Networking is vital to your success these days.
Where are the spots to go to if you wanted to cuddle with your boy or girlfriend?
I would have to say the best place to spend time with a significant other would be in the privacy of your own place. If you have roommates hopefully they respect you enough not to spread information about who you let into house/room all over campus."
I'm thinking about transferring. I've stayed this long because I thought the feeling would go away, but it hasn't. I cant exactly put a finger on how I'm feeling but its like I don't belong/I feel like I'm just going to class and that's it. I'm very involved(NAACP,SGA-Diversity Affairs,Rotaract,etc). Then there's the "diversity" thing. If that's not the biggest load of bull! Pretty much have mostly African American associates, but I have tried to reach out to different races, but everyone self segregates but pretends to be diverse on certain days and events. Ive gotten the argument of "oh an hbcu=ghetto" and "you wont get a job"etc. I don't care about the nice facilities here, that's nice and everything but I would rather be happy than brag about Olympic size pools and stuff that I don't even use or aren't really welcomed to because of nasty looks from the Anglos. Also something that hurt was when I saw a noose near the stadium. It was the first time I ever had to deal with something like this. We were told we might see some ignorant things, but that hurt inside. Ive seem a caravan of men in sheets with a huge confederate flag yelling white power. The feeling of hate, knowing that no matter how much a sorority girl partied, she would get the answer key to the test etc. I know that no where is perfect, but I want to be in an environment where professors are nurturing success, history,scholarship. Where I can fellowship with other students like me, and not have to worry about the snickers and responses to my answers as if they are inadequate while my white counterparts give ignorant answers and its ok.
P.S. I attend the University of Tennessee
I can relate to the HBCU and PWI experience. In particular, I graduated from an HBCU and PWI. I enjoyed my experience at the HBCU and PWI. More importantly, I am confident that you will receive a quality education at an HBCU. Honestly, several of the minorities that I have encountered in Corporate America are HBCU graduates. Therefore, I don’t think you will have an issue finding a career opportunity. The key is to network and build effective relationships. Best wishes with your future endeavors!
