MMHMF Scholarship Recipient

MIA NEAL
2023 MMHMF Scholarship Recipient

Hampton University

Psychology

Mia is an honors graduate of Matoaca High School. She is majoring in psychology at Hampton University. At Matoaca High she was a member of the Key Club (2022-23); the National Honor Society(2021-23) ; Minorities in Power (President, 2022); the Varsity Volleyball team (2021-23, captain 2022-23); Friends Against Bullying (2021-22). Her community volunteer service included: Chesterfield Food Bank; the 5K Bubble Run; TSA; Special Olympics; Chesterfield Quarterback Leaque (CQL) Super Bowl.

In her essay Mia shared that since early adolescence how the mind works and why people do what they do have greatly interested her. She remembers quite vividly watching the TV show Criminal Minds with her grandmother who would cover Mia's eyes when gory scenes appeared. None the less, Mia's interest did not falter. Of particular interest to her is why some people take advantage of others, specifically why all too often the African American community has been subjected to receiving unfair, unequal treatment. She wants to become a lawyer to give back to her community that has always supported her. Her long-term goal is to start her law firm that is accessible to the minorities in the United States. She says: "I know that majoring in psychology will give me a leg up in becoming the person my younger self could look up to".