Rising to the Challenge

Kamiya Rantan
Howard University, Washington DC, Class of 2018
Major: Finance

Kamiya admits this sophomore year has been a bit of a challenge. Financially, she is struggling even after receiving the prestigious Jordan scholarship to cover tuition for the current semester. She has also found this year's business classes to be more difficult. Kamiya has even received a few low quiz grades this semester she is not used to (she had a 3.2 GPA her first year).

“This year I am learning to be honest with myself and learn my limitations,” she says candidly. “Ms. Romica, (her Annapolis Trust mentor) is helping me with that. She is kind of my life coach and when I got an F on my accounting exam, she reminded me I'm not a failure and the grade was not a reflection of who I am.”

Kamiya makes sure to schedule the right amount of time for school work and studying and puts hours in the accounting office on her Google calendar along with career counseling and tutoring.  That way she is always productive because this sophomore is always on the go.

After spending a summer working at four internships at IMPACT DC, WMATA, a local leadership academy and at the office of a Howard alum, Kamiya continues to stay involved and build upon her experience in her field of study and leadership skills.

She is the treasurer for Howard’s chapter of the National Council for Negro Women and her dorm council. She is a chapel assistant and volunteers in the career center. Kamiya is also very proud to be a head advisor for Matriculate, a non-profit that empowers high-achieving, low-income high school students to make the leap to some of the best colleges by virtual advising.

“My whole life is scheduled from beginning to end every day (maybe not nap time). I do not schedule things that are not set in stone,” she explains.

When Kamiya was a freshman she remembers she spent a lot of time getting used to the workload and the new college culture. Howard requires all students to be involved with two organizations in order to get housing but she realized there would be time to really get involved.

“Things can easily go south because you may not know how to manage time properly. I am learning not to overstretch myself,” Kamiya says. “But if I had freshman year back – I would sleep more.”

Kamiya’s determination to work on her grades, finances and college involvement is exhausting. But this young student is determined to learn, grow and become more responsible. That is why we are committed to helping her achieve her goals.​