PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 10, 2023) – Zian Richmond’s interest in the legal field sparked in high school. The Fort Worth native and graduating senior even took law classes as a high school student, cementing her decision to pursue a career as a lawyer.
Richmond said when it came time for college, “I decided to tour Prairie View A&M University and instantly knew it was the school for me. The atmosphere on campus was what I wanted.”
Richmond earned a scholarship and focused on her PVAMU career, finding opportunities to help pave the way for her future. The criminal justice major is a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society. She was named to the Honors List from 2020–2023. Richmond served as president of the Blackstone Pre-Law Society. She interned with an attorney’s office and with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives. She worked as a research assistant for Camille Gibson, interim dean of the College of Juvenile Justice, and for Sally-Ann Ashton at the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center.
As a budding researcher, Richmond presented her research at the American Society of Criminology’s 77th annual meeting, the 18th annual Texas A&M University Student Research Symposium, and the PVAMU Conference for Interdisciplinary Student Research, where she took second place. She also brought home first-place honors at the 2022 Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice Quiz Bowl.
“Participating in everything helped me become more comfortable with public speaking and further develop my leadership skills and allow me to develop other new skills,” she said. “Not only did these extracurriculars help prepare me for my future career, but I also made lifelong friendships.”
And Richmond accomplished all this while preparing to graduate—with summa cum laude honors—a year early.
“I love everything about Prairie View A&M, especially the amazing professors and the number of opportunities the university offers. It definitely sets students up for success.”
Following graduation, Richmond heads to law school, where she’s earned a scholarship for the next chapter in her education.
Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.
By Kelly Rusk
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