Editor’s Note: This profile is the first of six about students and alumni leading up to Lov Giving Day on April 10. For more information about the day and to donate, visit .
Royale Parker ’26 hadn’t set foot on ’s campus before move-in day. In fact, the Southern California native hadn’t even heard of the school until her high school guidance counselor suggested it. The more she learned about , the more she felt she belonged as a Royal. And, it wasn’t just her first name that felt like a perfect match.
While other schools she contacted seemed to ignore her, she said members of the undergrad admissions team were quick to answer her questions and welcome her with open arms.
“I was looking for a school where students felt valued,” she said. “That’s what I got from .”
The moment she arrived on the Harrisonburg, Virginia, campus, she knew she had made the right call. She saw how colorful and vibrant the campus was and recognized that was where she was meant to be.
“What sets apart is its people,” she said.
Roughly one-and-a-half years after that first day on campus, Parker is thriving at . As a business and psychology major with aspirations in entrepreneurship, she launched a successful eyelash extension venture in the fall, catering primarily to her fellow students. She also plays an integral role in ’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) as its secretary-treasurer.
Parker said receiving financial aid through the University Scholarship has helped her focus on her studies without worrying about employment. Grateful for ’s generosity, she acknowledged that it provided the most substantial aid package among all her prospective schools.
“It’s a really huge help,” she said.
Your generous support helps students like Parker pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Join us for the 8th annual Lov Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future students. Let’s build “Stronger Together.”
