Arcadia Magazine Winter 2025: Non-Traditional Student Becomes Arcadia Leader

Aliyah Abraham (left) with Arcadia Ambassador Paayal Nair at the 2024 Women Who Lead Forum

Aliyah Abraham '17 attended Arcadia for only one and half years, but that didn't diminish her impact on the University she grew to love. While earning an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a minor in African Studies, she created many of the programs the institution continues to uphold. As a non-traditional student, she was raising her son while attending school and would frequently bring him to campus to accompany her for activities: "I feel like everyone adopted him as their own," she said.

Retired Professor Dr. Doreen Loury served as one of her notable mentors, later becoming a dear friend. Aliyah describes how showing up and being present to learn and engage gave her the step-up she needed to connect with individuals that could see her innovative visions for change. It helped make an impactful difference in the lives of current and future Arcadians.

She was instrumental in the creation of the Knights for Nutrition program and the Black Alumni Association of Arcadia University (BAAAU), where she also served as its inaugural president. She also helped create the BAAAU Preview Travel Program Support Fund, which has led to an increase in participation of Black students studying abroad. She was nominated for the Senior Golden Disc Award in 2017, received the Student Impact Award in 2018, and was awarded the Sankofa Award for Distinguished Achievement in 2021. In 2022, she was named a Recent Graduate Trustee for a two-year term, and in April 2024, she started as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Alumni Association, as well as an advisory board member for the Act 101/Gateway to Success Program. "I've created a legacy here, and I'm showing my son I am a mom he can be proud of," Aliyah said with pride.

Q: With all that you've done to support Arcadia, what has the institution provided you in return?

A: I found a community that wrapped their arms around me. I attribute Arcadia for giving me access to my career in Government. Arcadia gave me the playground to master my consulting skills, develop my personal brand, and confidence. I can walk into a meeting and command attention just from my presence. I think that's the beauty in attending a smaller school. I was able to get close to my professors and facilitate leadership within my peer groups.

Q: What's one thing you are most proud of implementing at Arcadia University?

A: Creating an authentic experience for Black students by developing the Preview Travel Program Support Fund. There's a world bigger than most students can see, and there was evidence that Black students' participation in the Preview Travel Program was significantly less than other students. I wanted to help provide everyone the opportunity to experience new cultures, while finding pieces of themselves along the way.

Q: Was there a definitive moment that influenced you to create the Preview Travel Program Support Fund?

A: When I was traveling with a friend to Paris in 2018, we were headed to the Louvre and our Uber driver was playing music. We quickly realized it was a Philadelphia artist playing and it transcended the moment further. It truly had felt like divine timing. I knew that everyone deserved to experience being far away from home, yet feel so connected and comfortable at the same time.

Q: What can we expect next from you?

A: I am currently working as a Workforce Management Consultant. I'm in charge of oversight as an internal consultant for the government determining workforce efficiencies. I always need to stay busy and I always want to enhance something…it's just inherent to who I am. I just completed my Master's in Organizational Development and Leadership at St. Joseph's University with a certificate in Organization Development, and I look forward to traveling more.