Prairie View A&M University News December 8, 2020 PVAMU Navy ROTC grad lauded with officer commission; aspires to one day open family counseling center When Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) graduate Zaire Hickman was growing up, she got to live in many different locations due to her father's service in the United States Navy. She knew early in her college career that she would follow his example and join the Navy herself. "I want to turn the Navy into my career and retire in 20 years," Hickman said. "While in the Navy, I want to obtain my master's and Ph.D., so I can later open up my own family counseling practice. The demographic I mainly want to focus on is domestic violence victims." After transferring to PVAMU in the fall of 2018, the Havelock, North Carolina native received experience in this field at Family Ties Family Resource Services in Waller, Texas. The organization helps children and families in crisis. "I wanted to work at this internship because it is dealing with the demographic of people I want to work with, which is domestic violence victims. Domestic violence victims really don't have a voice and suffer in silence. Being a victim myself, I want to take my experiences and help others gain their power back," she said. "Opening my own practice would mean I'm giving back to the community and ensuring that everyone who walks in my office leaves better than they came. Mental health in the Black community isn't talked about enough, and I want to help start the conversation." Hickman will first work on her Navy pursuit after she secures a bachelor's degree in Psychology<https://www.pvamu.edu/cojjp/> and a minor in Naval Science<https://www.pvamu.edu/bcas/> from PVAMU this fall. She received an Associate of Arts degree from Cedar Valley Community College in the Dallas area. "I wanted to attend PVAMU because of the ROTC program and become a part of the legacy," Hickman said. And, she wasted no time. During her two years on "The Hill," Hickman took on leadership roles within the Navy ROTC (NROTC) Program, including serving as a midshipman commanding officer. She also received the Texas Armed Services National Scholarship to recognize her leadership and desire to serve as a commissioned officer in the Navy. "I am excited to get in the fleet and gain new experiences with the Navy, have more leadership opportunities, and do my civic duty of serving this country. ROTC has laid a great foundation to build upon once I commission in the fleet," she said. Her work while at PVAMU helped set the course for that future. "PV has pushed me in all aspects, mentally, physically, and emotionally. It has prepared me for the worst in life while building me up at the same time. It has made me a stronger person," she said. "Leaving PV is bittersweet, but I know that I am prepared for anything from how far I have come along." Hickman will be stationed on the USS Antietam off the coast of Yokosuka, Japan. She says she will continue to thrive wherever she heads in the future. "I will continue to be successful and take everything in stride. Success will be mine," she said. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs - Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/