As she prepares to graduate Saturday with a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Janiya Fellows reflects on a journey defined by resilience, growth and firsts.
A first-generation college student, Fellows has not only excelled academically — earning the prestigious Chancellor’s Medallion in the School of Arts and Sciences, given to graduates with the highest cumulative grade point average in each school, and graduating summa cum laude — she has also secured acceptance into a master’s program.
But the path to graduate school was not always clear.
“Navigating the graduate school road felt overwhelming,” Fellows said in a news release. “Initially, I didn’t know where to begin applying.”
That changed when she connected with the Office of Academic Advancement Programs at UAPB. The office provided the structured guidance and personal support that helped Fellows move from uncertainty to action. Through one-on-one coaching and strategic resources, she learned how to research graduate programs, craft a compelling personal statement and organize her application materials with clarity and purpose.
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“The Office of Academic Advancement Programs enhanced my sense of empowerment, support and visibility,” she said. “I felt like I wasn’t just going through the process — I was growing through it.”
Fellows will pursue a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock followed by licensure. Her goal is to enter the profession equipped to serve individuals and communities with empathy and impact.
Looking back on her time at UAPB, she credits the university not only with academic preparation, but with instilling a deeper mission.
“At UAPB, we’re taught to lead, uplift our communities and push forward — even when the path isn’t laid out,” Fellows said.
That philosophy now informs her advice to current and future students, especially those who may be navigating college as first-generation college students.
“Grad school is one way to deepen your impact, expand your opportunities and grow personally and professionally,” she explained. “Whether your passion is in education, social work, STEM, business or something else, an advanced degree can open doors that allow you to lead in new ways and change the spaces that matter most to you.”
And her message is clear: you don’t have to do it alone.
“There are tools available to assist you — like the Office of Academic Advancement Programs — and instructors who are open to providing information and recommendations,” Fellows said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
UAPB will host commencement on Saturday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Processional begins at 9:45 a.m., and the ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Award-winning Gospel music artist, pastor and alumnus Smokie Norful is the commencement speaker.