“It made sense for me to understand why people were functioning on an anatomical level but also understand what was going on in their head,” she says.

Tinyah was drawn to Guilford for its work helping women who are imprisoned earn degrees. “I deeply wanted to be a part of that program,” she says. Ultimately her goal is to become a forensic psychiatrist.

“Forensic Psychiatry is the intersection between law and psychology,” she says. “I would hopefully get to interact with patients who have been inmates or have been incarcerated and help them on a better path. Currently the system for treating inmates as patients isn't 100 percent perfect. I want to be there able to advocate for them.”

With a Little Help From Her Friends

A self-described servant leader, Tinyah says she shows up and tries to listen to the needs of other people before she makes a decision.

She also noted that there have been many people who have helped her along the way and adds that she has been blessed to have wonderful mentors at Guilford and is particularly grateful for Zandra Pinnix, a Biochemistry instructor.

“She was the first woman of color I've had as a science teacher, and she has three doctorates,” Tinyah says. “She helped me start studying for the MCAT and gave me the motivation to know that I could be like her someday.”

Tinyah noted that she has had many wonderful professors in the sciences, including Melanie Lee-Brown, who encouraged her during a difficult Biology course.

“Even though it may not have been my best class, she intentionally pulled me aside and said, ‘Hey, we need more women of color in STEM willing to say that this is hard, but we can do it.’ Other than my mom, I haven’t had a lot of women role models, so anytime they said that I could do it, it meant a lot.”

Campus Leader

Now in her second term as Student Body President, Tinyah has worked to add mental health wellness days to the academic calendar so students can take a much-needed break from work.

“If nothing else, I like to think that I’ve given students the space to say when they don’t think something is right,” she says.

When Tinyah first ran for office, she didn’t see herself as a student leader, but others did.

“I had been a resident advisor, and I was very much comfortable doing that, attending events, and helping people here and there, but my friend encouraged me to see that you didn't have to be the most outgoing person to help people, which is generally my goal,” she says. “I want to help other people to see how great they can be.”

She advises students in her major not to take Organic Chemistry during the three-week term. It’s full of six-hour classes each day and was too stressful, she notes. To all students, she says to persevere when it comes to finding your space at Guilford.

“Maybe there are places where you don't feel like you belong. Be patient enough to see it through. When you listen, you will find that you actually do have something to add to the conversation, even if you didn't think so initially.”