Aniyah Anderson-Cooper arrived at Florida A&M University not knowing what to expect—she didn’t even know what homecoming was.
“I wasn’t a generational Rattler… I didn’t even go to a full orientation,” she recalled.
Having attended a multicultural middle school abroad and a predominantly white high school, Anderson-Cooper stepped onto the Hill uncertain of what to expect.
"I moved in and started classes without knowing anyone. I was just trying to figure everything out,” she said.
But over time, that shy, uncertain freshman would blossom into a leader, winning the Eternal Flame Legacy Award in Spring 2025, one of the highest honors reserved for seniors whose leadership leaves a lasting imprint on campus.
For Anderson-Cooper, the award was an emotional full-circle moment.
“I came here not knowing anything. I kept praying and continuously took leaps of faith,” she said. “No connections, no background—just trust in God. So, for my leadership to be recognized in this way… it was surreal.”
She was also presented with the Andre D. Green Award, named in honor of the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Efferson Student Union, Activities & New Student Orientation, who passed away in 2023.
“To receive the Andre D. Green Award meant everything to me. I was in tears. Dre believed in me and once told me he knew I would do great things,” she shared. “To be honored in his name, someone who meant so much to this campus and me personally, was incredibly emotional. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Anderson-Cooper will soon experience another unforgettable moment when she graduates magna cum laude from FAMU’s School of Allied Health on Friday, Aug. 1. She will also commission as an army officer, leaving for training in January 2026.
Until then, she plans to work with the University of Houston, Gold Bar recruiting, where she’ll be recruiting future Army scholars and students. But her long-term vision involves giving back.
“I want to donate, maybe give a scholarship,” she says. “In high school, my counselors weren’t pushing HBCUs. They weren’t showing us what was possible at schools like FAMU. I want to change that.”
An Unshakable Work Ethic
Anderson-Cooper’s FAMU resume is stacked: U.S. Army ROTC cadet, orange & green tour guide, new student orientation leader, student cabinet member, and proud Texan representing in the Texas Club.
She also served as president of the Spectrum LGBTQ+ Pride Union, sat on the Campus Activities Board, and held leadership roles in multiple organizations across campus, including becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in Spring 2024. And she did it all while maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher every semester—consistently earning her spot on the Dean’s List.
"My senior year of high school, I injured my shoulder while trying to play basketball. That injury redirected me. My coach was an army officer, and that connection introduced me to the ROTC Presidential Scholars program,” she explained.
That leap of faith earned her a full-ride scholarship to FAMU and the discipline and time management skills that would carry her through college. But academic excellence didn’t come without sacrifice.
“I had to learn the importance of saying no,” she said. “I’m a giving person, but I had to set boundaries because I knew if my GPA dropped below a 3.5, I’d lose my scholarship.”
She credits key mentors like Coneisha Thomas, her academic coach, and Felicia Barnes, interim director in the Office of Student Affairs, for helping her stay the course.
“They held me accountable. Ms. Thomas would always remind me why I came to FAMU,” she said.
What She Learned on the Hill
As graduation nears, Anderson-Cooper reflects on the lessons that truly shaped her.
“Don’t be afraid to do things alone. Learn the art of being alone,” she said. “Try new things, join organizations, take courses outside of your major. Don’t wait until after you graduate to explore.”
She encourages future Rattlers to look beyond the obvious. “Take an accounting class or a graphic design class. These are the skills that can help you land a job. Don’t limit yourself to just what’s around you—explore every department.”
She also had advice for anyone who might be discouraged by setbacks.
“A ‘no’ doesn’t mean it’s over. Sometimes it’s God redirecting you or protecting you from something. His timing is always better than ours. You just have to trust it.”
Lastly, it may be safe to say that Anderson-Cooper definitely knows what a homecoming is now.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, August 1st 2025 at 2:10PM
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