Chauntell Miller knows about sacrifice and the willpower essential to keep going against all odds.
She witnessed it firsthand from her mom, who cast aside her shot at an education to support her family.
Chauntell remembered her mother’s strength when a worldwide pandemic bared obstacles that disrupted her own path toward a college degree.
Health issues followed soon after by the COVID-19 pandemic forced Chauntell to pause pursuit of a B.A. in Psychology at The University of Baltimore.
Her dream deferred, she had an associate degree plus two years of college credits at UBalt. For Chauntell, it wasn’t enough.
As she recovered, she decided to return to UBalt in 2024 to complete her degree. She earned her degree and kept going. Chauntell is now working toward an M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
“It's been it's been a long journey for me,” she said. “I’ve met so many amazing classmates, and had created friendships outside of the classroom, which is amazing. You can't do this journey alone. College is a lot. College, when you get older, is even more. Creating different friendships and having people check in on you made this journey much easier.”
When Chauntell was ready to re-enroll, she paid for her first two courses out of her savings—a sacrifice she was willing to make.
That fall, she earned two UBalt scholarships, the Carnegie Near Completer Grant and the Samuel G. Rose Scholars Award. Both covered the costs she had left to get across the finish.
That unexpected but valuable support brought Chauntell relief.
“That fall, I took five classes and got five As, and that spring I got another three As,” she said. “A lot of that had to do with the fact that I didn't have the pressure, when I was taking those five classes, that I needed to make money. I really could just focus on school that semester. So, it gave me opportunity.”
Chauntell first came to UBalt from Baltimore City Community College. When she was weighing her options, she visited UBalt during an Open House. She had a list of questions and found every answer plus a comfortable sense of place.
“I felt more welcome,” she said.
That feeling only grew once she became a student.
“When we sat in the room with the orientation leaders and we’re listening to their stories, I felt that I was seen and not just a part of the number.”
Through the student groups she’s joined, her own time as an orientation leader, and other experiences she’s had, Chauntell has met many people across the University community.
One characteristic of UBalt she loves is its unique student population. She’s surrounded by students of varying ages, backgrounds and experiences.
Chauntell came to America from Jamaica when she was just shy of 2 years old. She’s the youngest of eight. She’s slightly older than the traditional student. What might set her apart elsewhere helps her fit in at UBalt.
“It was nice seeing an eclectic group of people from different walks of life—people who are parents, or people who are continuing education, or similar age as me, or even people that just had different backgrounds altogether. I liked that because I didn't want to be in a classroom where everyone's story was the same as mine.”
Chauntell knew she would major in psychology. The field wasn’t her first choice, but it was a subject she excelled in.
UBalt’s psychology program impressed her because it widened her perspective on what working in the field could mean for her future.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology is the study of human behavior in organizations or workplaces, and the roles within it are research-based and data-driven, Chauntell said. Since starting UBalt’s program, she envisioned a career plan that combines her passions and interests to drive change.
“I want to leverage my degree in a very niche category,” she said. “The statistics for maternal and fetal death in the Black community is three times that of any other group, which I think is abhorrent. I would like to leverage my degree in a way that either works with the talent that is coming into hospitals, the policy that they’re using, or just overall education and understanding, because there has to be a disconnect. These numbers can't be what they are, for so long, for no reason.”
Her path feels true to her roots. Chauntell said her mother was always a caretaker, sometimes by necessity, but also by choice. That desire to help others lives in her, too, but manifested in a different way.
Chauntell’s classes have been cementing her decision while preparing her for the future she wants. Internships have further primed and tested her.
Chauntell found two paid roles through the Schaefer Center for Public Policy’s NextGen Leaders for Public Service program. She worked in the City of Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. She also worked within the Engagement and Strategic Partnership Division of Baltimore city’s Department of Human Resources.
“I gained a lot of confidence in working with data because data was never what I thought I would be going into. … I learned how to be confident in an office and speaking my opinion. At an all-staff meeting with 80 different staff members, and I said, ‘Hey, these numbers look odd here. Maybe it would be better if we did this,’ and I was correct. A year ago, I would have been silent.”
Those experiences helped her make connections that led to her next opportunity. This year, Chauntell is working as a graduate fellow for the Schaefer Center. The role, which also trims her tuition costs, enables her to further flex her research and communication skills.
Every role has taught Chauntell something new about herself that she can leverage.
“I learned to be more meticulous, and also I learned that I've had all these abilities all this time,” she said.
Student life at UBalt gave Chauntell even more experiences. She got to take her niece to the Maryland Zoo, enjoyed a Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards, and tried Korean barbecue—all for the first time—because of events made available and affordable to students.
“That's what I like about UBalt, there's so many opportunities, as long as you’re open and willing.”
The people made a memorable impact, too.
Chauntell recalled at her commencement ceremony how many faculty and staff members offered their congratulations with hugs.
“Because they invested time and energy in me, and they know my story, they know my journey, they care,” she said. “At some other schools, you may not get those opportunities because maybe they have 400 students in the room and they only know you through a TA and maybe only have seen your name once. At UBalt, it's not the case. Most teachers have time to know who you are individually, and they put that effort in.”