Deja

Deja Moorman (she/her), who recently completed the environmental science and general studies programs at Howard Community College (HCC), initially hoped to enroll in a four-year institution.

"I knew the effects the pandemic had on me, and I wasn't ready," said Moorman.

The Reservoir High School graduate landed in Dragon Country in 2021 but struggled academically during her first semester. By getting involved in Student Life, she quickly found her footing at HCC.

"One day, I went to join the African and Caribbean Society Club and noticed a lot of the members were Silas Craft collegians," said Moorman. "So, I joined [the Silas Craft Collegians Program], and they invested in me."

Moorman received academic and financial support from Silas Craft, including the Howard Community College Educational Foundation Silas Craft Collegians scholarship. She also earned the PepsiCo Foundation Uplift and the Ken & Linda Solow Family scholarships while attending HCC.

"I don't know where I would be without Silas Craft, and I am extremely grateful for everything they have done for me," said Moorman. "I am also grateful to PepsiCo Foundation Uplift and the Ken & Linda Solow Family for the scholarships I received. They helped relieve the financial burden that I faced paying for college on my own."

Like many college students, Moorman also needed assistance with the basic necessities so she could focus on her studies.

"To ensure my academic success, Silas Craft also introduced me to all of the free resources on campus, such as the Wellness Center and campus food pantry," said Moorman. "It's hard to keep up with everything: work, education, and making sure you eat properly. Those services helped me a lot."

Moorman became very active on campus, serving as a secretary for the African and Caribbean Society Club and a vice president for the Black Student Union (BSU). After HCC, she will enroll in a four-year institution to study sociology and public policy, hoping to address social issues that affect her community. Like her father, she hopes to land at the University of Maryland but is also interested in Bowie State University, while never forgetting the impact of community college.

"At HCC, I have grown on a personal level and found my passion, community, mentors, and long-lasting friendships," said Moorman. "They have all been instrumental in my college success."