Lincoln University of Pennsylvania News April 18, 2018 Graduating Senior Overcomes Tragedy to Graduate as One of Lincoln's Most Improved When Shamina Stevens, a graduating finance major learned that she was one of Lincoln University's most improved students she immediately contacted her friends and family to share the exciting news. "They were ecstatic," said Stevens, "It's showed me that all of my hard work was being recognized and it encouraged me to work harder." Stevens, a Philadelphia native, admits that her college career started off "rocky". "School wasn't a priority, and my grades suffered because of it," said Stevens, who was put on academic probation her freshman year. A year later during her sophomore year, tragedy struck when she learned that her 15-year-old cousin was killed back home in Philadelphia. "It was absolutely heartbreaking," said Stevens. In the same year, as Stevens and her family dealt with the tragic loss of her cousin, tragedy struck the family once again when they learned of the passing her younger brother who died in an accident. "He was my best friend," said Stevens who after hearing the news of her brother took a year off from school to be with her mother. Wanting to make her family proud Steven's returned to Lincoln during the fall 2016 semester determined to take full advantage of the academic support resources on campus. Her hard work paid off and earned her a nearly perfect 4.0 GPA her first semester back. "There was something in me that said just go for it," said Stevens, "and that's what I did." Outside of the classroom Stevens got involved with campus activities and became the manager of the Men's basketball team. She also became a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and the National Council of Negro Women. Since joining NABA, Stevens has participated in several networking conferences in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Norfolk. Most recently, Stevens spent two months studying abroad and interning in Guayaquil, Ecuador. "Studying abroad has opened my eyes to cultures and experiences outside of Philadelphia," said Stevens. After graduation, Stevens will begin her career in finance working at The Vanguard Group, an investment management firm located in Malvern. 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/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/