Featured Member: XyaNiya Bickham on HBCU CONNECT!

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Q&A With XyaNiya Bickham

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XyaNiya Bickham
Location: DOUGLASVILLE, GA
Joined: May 17th, 2025

About (request update)

I’m a Marine Biology major at Savannah State University with experience in customer service, food prep, and environmental volunteer work. I’ve worked at Pizza Hut, Jersey Mike’s, and local cafés, where I developed strong communication, time management, and multitasking skills. As the first woman in my family to attend college, I’ve learned to balance academics, work, and financial challenges with determination. I’ve also taken part in beach and neighborhood cleanups, reflecting my passion for ocean conservation. I bring reliability, empathy, and a strong work ethic to everything I do.

Education (request update)

Savannah State University class of 2028

Undergrad Major: Marine Science

Claim To Fame:

Academic Determination My name is Xya’Niya Bickham, and my claim to fame is turning struggles into strength. I grew up in Metro Atlanta with six siblings, so life was always busy and full of challenges. I’m proud to be the first woman in my family to go to college. At Savannah State University, I’m studying Marine Biology, working hard to make a better future. I’ve had to pay for school on my own, working long hours at places like Pizza Hut and Jersey Mike’s just to cover books and tuition. It’s not easy going to school while also working so much, but I stay focused. My GPA leaving high school was a 3.8, now sitting at a 2.84. The stresses of classes, and my jobs, and constant payments started taking a toll on my performance, but I don’t let that stop me. I study late at night after work, trying to keep up with classes like oceanography and chemistry. Every grade I earn pushes me to do better. Balancing school and work have made me stronger, and it shows me that I can reach any goal if I keep trying. Service and Leadership My college journey is not just about getting good grades. It’s also about giving back. In my free time, I help with beach and neighborhood cleanups. On the weekends, I’m often on Tybee Island picking up trash to help protect the ocean. I bring others along too, showing that we can all make a difference. Each piece of trash I collect feels like a small win for the environment. By helping my community and taking care of the Earth, I lead by example and encourage others to care too. Future Aspirations My real claim to fame isn’t a medal or award, it’s the person I’m becoming. I’m building my future one step at a time, through hard work and service. I want to be a marine scientist who helps fix the damage done to the ocean and teaches kids from neighborhoods like mine that they can be scientists too. I want to give back, not just to the planet, but to the people who never thought they could do something big. My story shows that with determination, heart, and help from the right people, anything is possible.

Most Memorable Moment:

Some of my favorite memories in college so far are the ones that made me laugh the hardest and feel the most alive. One night, my friends and I went on a late-night walk to unwind, until we were suddenly surrounded by a group of raccoons. We ran, screamed, and laughed the entire way back. It was chaotic, but unforgettable. Then there was my 19th birthday, which meant everything to me because it was the first birthday I had truly celebrated in nine years. My friends threw me a pajama-themed party, and it ended in a wild cupcake fight. I’ll never forget how happy and carefree I felt that night. Another great moment was when my friends taught me how to drive. I knocked over three cones during practice, but by the end of the night, I had mastered parallel parking. We celebrated by grabbing burgers and shakes, and I felt so proud, not just because I learned something new, but because I did it with people who believe in me. College isn’t just about classes, it’s about moments like these that make all the stress worth it.