Achievements
Tamyia graduated debt-free from Valencia College and the University of Central Florida with over $57,000 in scholarships and grants. Tamyia chose to major in legal studies for two reasons: To learn more about the legal system and to find out if law school was the route she wanted to take after graduation. Although confident that she would’ve excelled, pursuing a career in law to become a judge was ultimately not the path she chose for herself.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Communication, Tamyia is focused on pursuing a career that aligns with her natural talents of creativity, public speaking, and connecting with the community. Excited for the future, Tamyia knows that her life is yet unfolding, and she is carving out her own path with the Lord.
Stay tuned, she’s just getting started!
In 2022, Tamyia graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies. Tamyia opted out of walking in the formal graduation ceremony and traveled out of town to celebrate with her family.
In 2020, Tamyia graduated from Valencia College in the middle of a global pandemic. Despite not having a traditional commencement ceremony, Tamyia was later mailed all of her graduation regalia, awards, and diploma.
In 2023, Tamyia graduated from the Orlando District 2 Government Academy. In this 12-week program, she learned about federal, state, county, and municipal forms of government and connected with local community leaders.
In 2022, Tamyia was awarded the UCF Knights of Distinction medal for her academic accomplishments and her professional and civic achievements beyond the classroom. Students who earn this designation demonstrated they are able to make connections between theory and practice and that they possess valuable skills that employers and graduate schools prize.
In 2022, the UCF Student Government Judicial Council unanimously voted Tamyia to receive the Justice of the Year award. She also won the award for Committee of the Year after chairing the Precedent Committee and working to create stances and implement procedures to ensure the parking appeals process was fair.
In 2022, the UCF Phi Alpha Delta Law Chapter named Tamyia the SGA Officer of the Month for her efforts in advocating for students on campus.
In 2021, Tamyia was named the Student Government Member of the Month for November for her service to the Judicial Branch and students on campus.
In 2022, Tamyia was featured on the front page of the UCF Nicholson Student Media website where she gave an interview about her Justice of the Year experience.
In 2021, Tamyia was featured as a UCFCCIE Knight of the month for November where she shared her journey to pursuing a degree in legal studies. She also talked about her community service, why she chose UCF, campus involvement, and more.
In 2021, Tamyia was sworn in by the Student Government Legislative Branch as Associate Justice Seat #1.
In 2019, Tamyia was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at Valencia.
Go behind the scenes with Tamyia as she filmed her speech for Valencia’s first ever virtual commencement ceremony.
In 2019, Valencia College named Tamyia their 2019-2020 Distinguished Graduate.
In 2019, Tamyia won the President For a Day award. President for a Day was a job search simulation where students apply to the “job” of campus president for the day. The interview rounds were rigorous as the process involved resume critiques, participating in a group interview, completing a hirevue, and giving a presentation to the panel of judges.
Fun fact: Tamyia was the first female student to win the President For a Day award. She received a $500 scholarship from the Valencia Foundation, a celebratory luncheon, and the opportunity to shadow campus president, Dr. Plinske, for the entire day. The day started with Dr. Plinske shadowing Tamyia in her Spanish class where she gave her first oral presentation.
In 2020, the Valencia marketing department gifted Tamyia with mini billboards in recognition of her contributions to Valencia.
- 2024 City of Kissimmee Women’s History Month Honoree
- Alumni Keynote Speaker
- UCF Young Alumni Ambassador
- Bachelor of Arts degree – Legal Studies
- Burnett Honors College Scholar
- Justice of the Year Award | Student Government Judicial Branch
- Committee of the Year Award | Student Government Judicial Branch
- Student Government Reuel Buchanan Aspire to Inspire Scholarship
- Editor | Undergraduate Law Journal
- Member | Transfer Student Advisory Committee
- Associate Justice Seat #1 | Student Government Judicial Branch
- Chair of Precedent Committee | Student Government Judicial Branch
- Mentor | Student Government Leadership Council
- Participant | Knights of Distinction Program
- Member | Honors Congress Student Organization
- Member | UCF NAACP Chapter
- Mentee | UCFCCIE Alumni Mentorship Program
- Associate of Arts degree – General Studies
- 2019-20 Distinguished Graduate & Commencement Speaker
- President For a Day Competition Winner & Scholarship Recipient
- Cover of Billboard Sign | Make It Happen Campaign
- President’s List & Dean’s List
- Seneff Honors College Scholar | Leadership Track
- Seneff Honors College Full Tuition Scholarship
- Mary S. Collier Scholarship Recipient
- Seneff Honors Service to the Community Scholarship Recipient
- African American Heritage Scholarship Recipient
- Marie Blount Scholarship Recipient
- Florida Police/Deputy Sheriff Troy Babin Scholarship Recipient
- Henry Simmons Scholarship Recipient
- President | G.U.I.D.E.S. Club
- Vice President | Honors Student Advisory Committee
- Secretary | Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
