Cireyah Walker committed to Illinois State University without ever stepping foot on campus. But the engineering technology major already has plans for what she would like to do when she leaves campus—create technology that improves the lives of older adults.

“I’ve lived with my grandma most of my life,” she said. “I want to make technology easier for the elderly to grasp, something they understand,  something that makes life easier for the world.”

Her grandmother, who never graduated high school and now has stage 4 cancer, watched through tears as her granddaughter crossed the stage at Thornton Township High School in Harvey. And there may be a few more when Walker, who calls her grandmother her best friend, moves two hours away.

As she researched colleges, Illinois State quickly rose to the top. She reached out to high school friends who were already on campus.

“They told me I wouldn’t regret my decision, that everybody’s welcoming. It was ding, ding, ding off the checklist. I thought this would probably be the best fit for me.”

With the Jesse W. Fell Scholarship and other financial aid, Walker’s college costs are covered. She is in the Honors Program, and expects to earn top grades.

“There was a high expectation in my household that if you get good grades, you can get anything you want,” she said. “It became the norm. You don’t expect anything lower than an A.”

In the top 10% of her graduating class of 300, her original plan was to go to trade school, but a high school advisor encouraged her to consider a four-year university, and she decided to pursue it.

One of her high school accomplishments she’s most proud of was starting a podcast club, which became a safe space for students to express themselves. Anyone could show up on a Saturday morning to learn how to use microphones and cameras, but more importantly, their voice.

“First we focused on our emotional health and what we were dealing with, because we don’t have the opportunity to do that in our kind of neighborhood,” Walker said. “It was beautiful. We were talking about everyday life as teenagers. It was a safe place for us to be vulnerable. Technology has isolated us, and we don’t talk to each other as much. We needed to share that you’re not alone.”

The COVID-19 pandemic hit while she was in seventh grade, and the social impact lingers, she said.  

“It took a toll on my generation. We became very isolated. It was hard to talk to each other. We lost ourselves in COVID. We did not know what to do. The isolation was devastating.”

At Illinois State, Walker hopes to again launch a podcast club, a space where students can talk openly, feel supported, have a sense of community, and learn new skills. A kind of therapy, she said.

“It’s going to be every day,” Walker said. “You can come and talk to me. If you want to join in on a topic, you’re free to stop by. If you want to learn how to work a camera, stop by. This is free and you are free to express yourself.”

Walker already has plans beyond a bachelor’s degree.

“I really want to shoot for my master’s,” she said. “I want to exceed my expectations.”

And she’ll be taking her mother and grandmother along on her journey.

“My four years is their four years,” she said. “I’m excited to be here. I’m nervous. I’m ready to get into society and bring something to campus.”

Read about all of the students featured in our “Newest Redbirds” series at News.IllinoisState.edu.