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ABOUT TIERA
- From Salem, Ohio.
- Member of the Class of 2021.
- Double major in English and political science with a minor in pre-law.
- President of the Undergraduate Student Government (2020-21).
- Manager at the Kent State Writing Commons.
- McNair Scholar.
- Member of the English Honors Society.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT KENT STATE?
I'm from Salem, Ohio, which is only like 45 minutes away from Kent State, so it was definitely one of the local schools that everyone talks about.
WHY KENT STATE?
Kent State was the right fit. The location was close enough where I can have support from my family back home, but still be away from them and have my college experience living on campus. Also, the financial resources were a lot more realistic for me. Kent offered me a lot of scholarships and had a lot more resources for me.
"People talk about how they go to all these really expensive schools and I'm like, OK, I still have the same degree as you, I'm still in the same internship as you, and I'm still doing all the same things that you're doing. And I went to Kent State and saved some extra money."
A POPULAR SLOGAN AT KENT STATE IS "YOU BELONG HERE." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
I think "You Belong Here" means that you're home, you know? It’s the place you feel comfortable and where you can be your authentic self. And I've grown into the person I was always meant to be here.
I tell people that, in high school, I straightened my hair every day. I never wore it curly like it is now. But when I came to Kent, I changed that because I wanted to be my authentic self and I felt comfortable enough to do that. Now, this is my hair as it grows out of my scalp. So that's how I'm going to wear it. Kent empowered me to be that person.
And a lot of people say college becomes your home away from home. But I think Kent has become more than just my home.
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HOW DID FINANCIAL AID IMPACT YOUR DECISION TO ATTEND KENT STATE?
Financial aid and scholarships greatly impacted my decision to come to Kent State. I think finances are something most college students worry about. It's a really big decision! The fact that Kent had so much help for me, especially as a first-generation student and a student of color, really showed their dedication to diversity and their awareness that certain students do need help to go to school.
WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE AT KENT STATE?
That's a hard question. I know it's probably going to be the Student Body President who led during the pandemic, but I guess I'd want it to be – more broadly – the student who took charge as a leader and helped the university grow to be even better.