Anshia Crooms, Bowie State University- c/o 2005, Communications with a Concentration in Broadcast Media
Name : Anshia Crooms
HBCU : Bowie State University
Graduation Year : 2005
Major : Communications with a Concentration in Broadcast Media
Email : briclyn19@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I am from Pocomoke, MD located on Maryland's Eastern Shore. My parents, aunts and uncles were the first people to introduce me to HBCU's.
They attended Fayetteville State, UMES, Bowie State and Morgan State. It's safe to say my siblings and many of my cousins followed in their footsteps.
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I chose an HBCU because it chose me!!! I grew up in the HBCU culture and it was a place that piqued my interest and I loved the family atmosphere.
There's something about smaller classrooms, teachers knowing your name and them genuinely wanting you to succeed. There's something about being in organizations like Student Government Association and meeting student leaders from other HBCU's around the country.
The bonds made at an HBCU are truly a special experience and to be able to come back for Homecoming is always amazing. It truly is a family reunion on steroids. lol.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
Bowie State gave me a chance to prove myself. My GPA was amazing, but my SAT score well let's just say it wasn't the greatest. It is because of Bowie's Summer Bridge program that I was introduced to some of my best friends, I learned about Student Government and I witnessed the marching band practice throughout the summer. All of these things would shape my college career and summer bridge prepared me to get involved on campus for the next four years.
It also pushed me to be a great student because the odds were against me as a bridge student. My university had a theme at the time known as preparation for life. Our teachers, the faculty and staff drilled that into us and it made me grow as a person.
Being involved in my major, working as a student Radio Program Director at the Campus Radio Station, active in Student Government and a member of the marching band taught me what networking truly meant. Bowie State gave me a community that I could truly identify with!
Bowie prepared me to become a leader and to think outside of the box. All of these experiences made me who I am today and I have Bowie State to thank for that.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
- My first time traveling to another country was with the marching band to Canada.
- I learned how to live on a budget, because many of us were broke students and spending our refund checks on leisure. Man, I wish I would of given some of that money back. lol. I truly learned that money doesn't grow on trees in college. I opened my first checking account with Bank of America on Bowie's campus.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
Dr. Otis Thomas aka OT is a legend at Bowie State University in the Communications Department. He gave me my first campus job and hired me as a Radio Program Director.
He was more than a teacher, but he was my mentor and someone I still respect greatly to this day. His many stories of living in New York City, being in the entertainment business inspired me to move to NYC and follow my dreams of also owning my own entertainment company. I realized everything he taught us in the classroom was preparing my peers and I for our future. The stories he shared were relatable and it wasn't just teaching the textbook, but he was teaching us life skills to survive in the industry. The knowledge he showed in and out of the classroom helped prepare me for my next chapter after undergrad.
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Bowie State University
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Students: 5,669
Under Graduates: 4,711
Post Graduates: 958 - Athletics: NCAA Division II**The Bulldogs compete as members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)**Men's sports-Basketball, Cross country, Football, Track & Field**Women's sports-Basketball, Bowling, Cross country, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball
- Notable Alumni: Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, attended 2004 but not graduated – rapper, stage name Wale**Toni Braxton, attended but not graduated – singer, songwriter**Towanda Braxton – singer, songwriter, and member of the singing group The Braxtons**Gwendolyn T. Britt, B.S. 2004 – Maryland State Senator**Delano Johnson – football player in the NFL and CFL**Henry Frazier, III, B.S. 1993, M.A. 1999 – head football coach at Bowie State University, Prairie View A&M University, and North Carolina Central University**
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