PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 1, 2026) – At first glance, senior political science major Mya Elysse Williams may seem like your typical first-generation student. You may never know that her path to and through Prairie View A&M University had many twists and turns, and that she navigated each challenge while living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Mya attributes her strength and perseverance to her upbringing, her mother, and her relationship with God. But the grace and skill she’s mastered in the last four years, she says, is owed to The Hill.
From the accessibility of resources to a school culture rooted in a rich history and traditions, Mya describes PVAMU in one word: special.
A Dream Undeterred
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country into a lockdown, Mya was a junior in high school. Unsure when she’d return to school and life as she knew it, for the first time, Mya didn’t know what to do.
As a child, Mya was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. But her illness didn’t overshadow her inquisitive nature, a quality her mother recognized and nurtured from an early age. She fed her daughter’s curiosity, urging her to try new things and aspire for new experiences. For her mother, education wasn’t limited to what Mya learned in the classroom; it was a gateway to untapped knowledge and opportunities.
She enrolled Mya in one of Michigan’s top college-preparatory high schools, Mercy High School, where she thrived. She also participated in advocacy initiatives outside of her high school, including the American Civil Liberties Union programs and a township internship. Armed with her mother’s selfless love and support, along with a family that guided her, including her grandparents, Michael and Denise, her sister, Ciara, and her uncles, Lando and Raymond, Mya moved with a heightened sense of confidence and drive.
But as her high school graduation grew near and college campuses around the world sat empty, the motivation Mya once held to pursue higher education was barely a simmer.
“Senior year [in high school] left me burnt out, hopeless, and stressed to say the least. I had no idea where I wanted to go, or what I wanted to do, so I decided to take a gap year,” Mya recalled.
Throughout that year, Mya’s close friends, Chari Gibert ‘25 and Loren Smith ‘25, encouraged her to consider attending Prairie View A&M. “Chari was one of Prairie View’s biggest advocates,” said Mya.
She wanted to attend a HBCU, and PVAMU sounded appealing, yet Texas seemed too far from her hometown. That was until a visit in November 2021. “I stepped foot on Prairie View’s campus and instantly fell in love.” The southern charm, welcoming staff, students, and administrators left an indelible mark.
When she returned home, she set her sights on becoming a Panther. Along the way, she met recruitment directors Jonathan McKissack and Colonel Mark Pearson. Mya describes them as “kind gentlemen” who helped guide her through the process, further confirming that PVAMU was the place for her. “I felt that coming to Prairie View would feel like joining one big family. I knew that I would be received with open arms. I knew I had discovered a place willing to support me in my academic endeavors and provide me with amazing opportunities.”
Mya was thrilled when she received not only an acceptance letter but also learned that she was selected for the Regents’ Student Merit Scholarship. Earning a full-ride to attend college while managing a chronic illness still stands as one of Mya’s proudest accomplishments. It validated that her hard work was worth it. “Being a Regents’ Scholar has opened so many doors for me; I feel blessed every day.”
Accepting the PVAMU Challenge
Mya’s college experience equipped her with a new level of self-sufficiency and independence that she hadn’t anticipated. Though scholars at PVAMU have access to mentorship and a CARES Team that includes an academic advisor, a career coach, and a financial counselor, Mya had to learn how to navigate the college system and seek out resources.
“I learned to advocate for myself and to seek help when needed. This included visiting administrators when I had pressing concerns, researching shuttle systems and other available resources to help me get around campus, and speaking with my advisor about course planning and career advice.”
Still, living on campus without her family’s support — especially her mother’s — was an adjustment for Mya. She realized she had two choices: she could throw in the towel, pack it up, and head back to Michigan, or she could put herself out there and meet new people. Mya chose the latter, a decision that proved fruitful.
She became active in campus life, joining various clubs and organizations, including B-GLOBAL, the Prairie View NAACP Chapter, Genius Girls, and the Michigan Club. “You have to take initiative and be open to new opportunities. I began asking questions, doing my research, and signing up for everything that strongly piqued my interest,” she said.
She initially served as a Panther Aid for the Student Government Association. An experience that was instrumental in preparing her to lead as the Director of Student Services for the 42nd Administration and later as the Director of Complaints and Surveys for the 43rd Administration.
Mya has also been a member of the Purple Jackets for two consecutive years, currently serving as secretary, and has had the honor of being a member of the Prairie View A&M Honors Program’s 15th cohort. One of Mya’s fondest memories has been serving as a Panther Advisory Leader and hosting Panther Camp, which has allowed her to nurture her passion for guiding incoming first-year students.
“The friends I have met here, mentors, and faculty have provided me with all the support I need as a first-generation student. I have so many people to thank for my success — Dr. Tia Villeral, Mr. Charles Odion, Dr. Justin Mabiala, Dr. Quincy Moore, Mrs. Chelsee Young, Laoshi Lin, Dr. Nathan Mitchell, and my amazing friends, to name a few. My Prairie View community cheers me up on days I am down, gives me much-needed advice, and provides me with much laughter and joy.”
When reflecting on what she’s gained in the last four years — high-quality instruction, research skill development, on- and off-campus career advancement opportunities, and a safe space to grow socially — Mya says PVAMU delivered on its promise, providing an invaluable college experience.
“This institution is dedicated to its mission of ‘producing productive people.’ Administration and staff care about their students — they understand the challenges that first-generation students may face, and they offer solutions and support to combat those challenges.”
Becoming Her Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams
As Mya’s time at PVAMU comes to a close, this December to be exact, she’s weighing her options. During her time at the University, she remained torn about what profession to pursue.
To gain insight into varied career paths, Mya acquired an array of practicum experiences, including serving as an intern in Stanford University’s Canary Cancer Research Education Summer Training and the Practical Readiness for Emerging Professionals Program, in addition to interning in the University of Michigan’s Future Public Health Leaders Program and at Washtenaw County Health Department as an Environmental Health Intern.
Having always had an affinity for both science and governmental studies, and after battling with years of uncertainty, Mya said she’s made the choice to pursue her passions, and she is ready to map out her next steps. “It is important to understand that choosing what you want to do for the rest of your life as a young adult can be challenging, and it is okay to change your mind along the way. What matters is what you do in the process—dedicate time to researching career pathways, explore your interests, and reach out to experts for advice.”
Whether she decides to pursue a graduate degree, establish a nonprofit organization or foundation, or work as an attorney or community health educator, her primary goal is to be in a position to contribute positively to her community.
She hopes her story inspires current and incoming first-generation students, particularly those with chronic illnesses, to keep pushing and to be encouraged, knowing that they don’t have to have it all figured out to find success. “I firmly believe that witnessing someone from a similar background as yourself achieve something ‘scary’ empowers and helps you step out of your comfort zone.”
She urges students not to be hard on themselves, to ask for help, and not succumb to the traps of perfectionism and self-imposed pressures.
“I wish I had known that asking for support does not mean you are lost or weak… learning is part of the process. You will discover things along the way by finding a community you can lean on.”
While Mya acknowledges that success looks different for everyone, she strives to be a helpful resource and guide to any of her younger family members who may want to attend college.
“The most important thing is that my experience allows me to support them. I can guide them through times of uncertainty and answer any questions—during the application process, in selecting a college, helping academically, or providing advice on navigating the transition from high school to college. I can provide support in these areas because I have been through it all.”
By Whitney Stovall
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