Nazeleh Booker, Wiley College- c/o 2019, English
Name : Nazeleh Booker
HBCU : Wiley College
Graduation Year : 2019
Major : English
Email : nabooker@wileyc.edu
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I’m from the illustrious Madison, Wisconsin. America’s dairy land! I was introduced to HBCU’s by my aunt and her best friend. They both went to HBCU’s and urged me to attend one, i’m glad I listened.
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
The place I’m from in Wisconsin is diverse but still has an abundance of non-black people. I wanted an environment where everyone looked like me.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
Wiley has given me the most amazing college experience. I’m not gonna lie, when I first arrived I was taken aback by the appearance of the school. I come from a big city and being in small town Marshall was a huge difference.
But thank God I stayed! So many opportunities have been given to me through Wiley and I’ve met some amazing people that I am proud to call my friends.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
I’m from Wisconsin so moving to Texas alone was a huge culture shock for me. Coming to Wiley was my first time being in Texas.
I remember I was going to the local Walmart with my freshman year roommate and I saw a semi truck with a huge confederate sign.
Now being from Wisconsin the white people up there aren’t that bold. That was my first time actually seeing someone proudly display a confederate flag. It made me more appreciative of attending a school where everyone looked like me.
Racism among peers was one less thing to worry about.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
He wasn’t a professor but my former advisor Mr.Robinson was a huge influence on me.
He saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. Mr.Robinson reassured me that I am more than capable of achieving my academic goals and I will forever be thankful of him for that.
College crush?
Lawd! This man was FINE. I remember it was the first time me going to the co-ed dorm and I seen him standing there-tall, dark smooth skin, and buff. Your girl was in awe. I needed to know his name.
So I asked around and finally figured out who he was and what he did. I always made a point to speak and be polite but I NEVER shot my shot.
He ended up graduating the end of my freshman year. A few years down the line he slides in my inbox shooting HIS shit. But unfortunately my type has changed from when I was 18 and a freshman.
Moral of the story is, shoot your shot ladies!
Ghost stories involving buildings or spots on campus?
One of my girl friends hit the group chat saying we were going to go to the haunted road in Marshall.
For those who don’t know, legend has it that a road in Marhsall is haunted and if you go down it all types of wild stuff will happen. So when it got dark my friends and a few other peers drove down to the road.
As we got closer my phone lost service and her aux cord started tweaking.
So I was shook. As we were driving deeper down the road into the woods the girls car ahead of us suddenly shuts off and stops working. Now we are all black students so that was enough for us to turn around and DIP.
It was the scariest thing ever!
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
I’m so proud to be an English major.
For the first two years of college I was a Business Major per influence of my father. I quickly realized that business was not my passion. I’ve always had a passion for literature and English.
From a very young age I used to write stories and poems. In high school I won an award for a play I wrote within a month.
I encourage you all to choose a major that you love. It doesn’t matter if what you love doesn’t make any money because in the end you'd rather do something you’re going to enjoy everyday.
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
On campus I am a part of multiple organizations. I am the Press & Publicity committee chair for NAACP, I am a part of the Royal Outer Court with the title of Miss English Department and most recently I joined Women of Wiley.
What's your take on love (in the philosophical sense)?
Honestly I feel like my generation doesn’t genuinely love anymore. We are too involved in hook-up culture to the point where no one is trying to look for real love.
I’m a hopeless romantic so I’m always looking for my soul mate. I feel like love should be unconditional, and passionate. I feel like when you find the one, you’ll know it because you feel it.
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Wiley College
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Students: 1,400
- Athletics: Wiley College is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, and track & field. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, track & field, volleyball, and cheerleading.
- Notable Alumni: Lois Towles 1933 Internationally renowned concert pianist** James L. Farmer, Jr. 1938 U.S. civil rights leader** Daryl Joy Walters 2014 Politician**
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