PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Nov. 9, 2023) – Dreaming of crossing the stage and earning a bachelor’s degree is one thing. But the entire process can be confusing when you’re the first in your family to attend college. Prairie View A&M University junior computer science major Martaesia Fisher knew she wanted to go to college in high school, but that was all she knew. She didn’t know where to go, what she wanted in a higher education institution, or how she would pay for it.
But thanks to her family and community, her goal of attending college became a reality.
A New Skill Unlocks a Promise of a New Life
While her mother didn’t have the opportunity to finish college, she stressed the importance of education and learning as a means to self-sufficiency. “My mom wants big things for her kids. She thought it’ll be good for me to go to school and get a degree to provide for myself.”
Martaesia’s grandmother, who she affectionately calls “Nana,” signed her up for Black Girls Code, a program that builds pathways for girls of color by introducing computer programming, technology, and coding. And she fell in love with computer science.
Her passion for coding soon opened the door to a whole new world. She already had a job in high school but couldn’t see herself working there for the rest of her life. She wanted more. “I had dreams of owning a big house and a nice car. I knew that to be a computer scientist, I had to get more than a high school diploma. I needed a degree to make my dreams come true,” said Martaesia.
Deciding to attend college was easy, but figuring out how to make it happen would take some work.
It Takes a Village
The first task was to decide where she wanted to go. Her grandparents are diehard University of Oklahoma football fans and were thrilled at the thought of her attending OU so they could come to visit and watch the games. But Martaesia wasn’t sold on the idea.
She turned to a friend of her mom’s who listed potential schools, and PVAMU was one of them. Martaesia decided to apply. To her surprise, she got in. Still, without much money, she was unsure how she would pay for school.
Martaesia struggled to complete the FASFA and found it challenging to find funding. But with some support, she secured scholarships from her church and PVAMU. “A lady at my church wrote letters of recommendation and gave me lists of scholarships, which was a big help.”
Her years at Prairie View have been more than studying, tests and grades. It’s been a journey of self-discovery and building connections.
Due to the onset of COVID-19, Martaesia could not visit the campus beforehand. But she heard nothing but good things about the school. She was also excited about attending an HBCU. “My high school was majority white, and there wasn’t much diversity,” said Martaesia.
“Prairie View gives a lot of opportunities for African American students that I don’t think I would’ve gotten if I had chosen a different school. Plus, I’m around people I can relate to, and it’s just an overall good environment for me.”
As the first to complete college, Martaesia’s experience has been a family affair. “I know it means a lot to my mother. She started college but didn’t get a chance to finish because she had my younger siblings. So it means a lot to her that her eldest child is attending college and earning a degree.”
As the oldest of five, with one sibling enrolled in a technical college, two siblings in middle school and one attending elementary school, Martaesia is proud to be an example for her younger sister and brothers. “My siblings look up to me. They get to see their older sister pursuing her dream of being a computer scientist, and I know that it shows them that they can do it too. They constantly tell me they want to go to Prairie View too.”
Finding a Family at PVAMU
Hours from her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Martaesia is away from her family but has found her tribe. Joining campus organizations and clubs has helped her get out of her comfort zone and meet people from all backgrounds. She’s in the Honors Program and has gotten to know the students in her and other cohorts.
“I’ve made many new friends I click with who could become my lifelong friends. I’m naturally a shy person and rather keep to myself than socialize. But being away from home has made me more of a social butterfly. Being a part of different programs has helped me connect with others.”
In addition to the Honors Program, Martaesia is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. Her membership has given her access to scholarship and internship opportunities. She’s also interned as a student technician at the University of Tulsa. Martaesia views each feat as a testament to her diligence, academic resilience, and collegiate development.
“When I applied, I didn’t think I would get in because I thought other people were more qualified than me. I’m honored because it demonstrates my hard work and commitment to my studies.”
When Martaesia thinks back to the introverted young girl who first enrolled in PVAMU, she’s amazed at what she’s achieved in only three years.
Her time here has allowed her to grow in ways she could’ve predicted. “I’m more responsible. Instead of waiting days to do things, I don’t procrastinate, and I’m more disciplined.”
In the Pursuit of Success
Martaesia admits that college can be intimidating but says pushing past the fear is worth it. “Don’t be afraid to sign up for things. You never know the opportunities you could miss. Do your best in school. Don’t stress yourself out. I know college isn’t for everyone, but you should at least give it a shot.”
She says the key is to start early to remove any unnecessary pressures. Look for scholarships, and don’t wait to submit your FASFA application. “Create a list of your top three to five schools and find a mentor to help you. Just be sure to submit things on time because that could put you behind in the process.”
While Martaesia is proud of all her accomplishments, she says she couldn’t have gotten here alone. She’s most grateful for her mom’s dedication to her future and investment in her long-term goals.
Martaesia hopes to one day pay it forward and become a successful CEO of a renowned technology company like Amazon or Google and do what she loves daily.
By Whitney Stovall
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