PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – “I am a first-generation college student, meaning, I am the rose that grew from the concrete. Growing up, I knew I wanted more for my family and myself. No one in my immediate family attended college, so I did not have a path to follow. I had to create my own.”
That is just what Plano, Texas native Tajaun M. Burton did at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). He graduates this December with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, minoring in political science.
“In high school, I graduated at the bottom of my class. However, I am now graduating top of my class,” Burton said. “My high school self could not fathom the young man I am today. This experience has reaffirmed that I can accomplish anything in this lifetime.”
From the time he walked onto “The Hill” as a freshman, Burton earned a place on the honor roll each semester. He was the recipient of the Whitlowe R. Greene Scholarship, Mary Gibbs Jones Scholarship, United Minister Scholarship, and the Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. Scholarship. He was also inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
“I attended PVAMU because I’m supposed to be here. When I visited campus for a tour, it felt right,” Burton said. “Initially, I wanted to join the military because I did not think college was for me. However, I had to apply to college because I was in AVID (a college prep course), and it was a grade. I met a PVAMU recruiter at a college night, and he sparked the fire in me.”
That fire burned throughout Burton’s time at PVAMU, even going beyond the classroom. He served as president of The Panther Party and fulfilled other leadership roles with the Blackstone Pre-Law Society, M.A.L.E. (Men Achieving Leadership Excellence), and the Panther Advisor Leader mentoring program.
“I am a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the student body crowned me Mr. College of Juvenile Justice & Psychology,” he said. “I knew I wanted [my college experience] to be an experience that I would never forget. And I wanted to take full advantage of every opportunity out there. Being that I had different positions in each organization, they helped better me in different areas. Iron sharpens iron, and each organization has allowed me to network with other like-minded individuals. These organizations assisted in improving skills that I can use in the future to navigate through life.”
Post-graduation, Burton hopes to one day open a psychology center and stretch out his creative mind.
“I want to own a holistic psychology practice because I am not a fan of the traditional approaches. Having my practice will allow me to give people the extra guidance or be the mirror they might need. Much healing has to take place worldwide if we want to progress,” he said. “Also, I want to build a creative brand because I like to create projects. Whether it is photography, videography, or poetry, creating is an excellent form of expression.”
Burton also nurtured his interest in law. He attended the 14th and 15th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference at Harvard University and Colombia Law School, respectively, and organized student-led protests locally.
“At PVAMU, I found myself and unlocked parts of me I never imagined,” he said. “A person goes as far as their environment lets them, and Prairie View’s environment allowed me to go far.”
Although the Covid-19 pandemic sidelined his internship opportunities, Burton is optimistic for his future.
“Manifestation is a real thing, and you can do anything with the right intentions. I manifested my whole college experience: every achievement, organization, conference, and encounter. I knew there were plenty of opportunities out there and did not limit myself,” he said. “All I can do is give thanks to the Most High.”
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