For most of their academic journey, sisters Tia and Jasmin Criss were simply focused on doing their best. As graduation approached at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, neither imagined they would be walking away with the institution’s highest honors.
Now, just weeks before commencement, the twin sisters have emerged at the very top of their class, Tia as valedictorian and Jasmin as salutatorian, marking a remarkable achievement at the nation’s oldest historically Black university.
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“It still feels surreal,” Tia reflected. “We weren’t chasing titles like valedictorian or salutatorian. We were just committed to putting in the work.”
Born only minutes apart, the sisters have shared classrooms, challenges, and ambitions for most of their lives. Both are alumnae of the Philadelphia High School for Girls, where their academic foundation was strengthened by discipline instilled at home and a quiet determination to succeed.
“When we found out, we were honestly shocked,” Jasmin said. “We didn’t even know we were in the running.”
Faculty at Cheyney say the sisters’ accomplishment is a reflection of sustained effort and character. Associate Dean Dr. Lakiyah Chambers described their journey as a testament to dedication, noting that their success extends beyond grades to the way they have carried themselves on campus.
Despite their shared achievements, the sisters have carved out distinct paths. Tia, who gravitates toward structure and analysis, plans to pursue a career in insurance, drawn to its focus on risk assessment and problem-solving. Jasmin, by contrast, is guided by creativity, with aspirations in marketing or fashion.
Their dynamic has always been rooted in what they describe as “compassionate competition,” a balance of encouragement and quiet rivalry that pushed both to excel.
“We were always proud of each other,” Jasmin said with a laugh. “But I did think, ‘Wow, she finally beat me.’”
Their journey has not been without hardship. The sisters lost their father, Lynn Criss III, just months before graduation. Still, they carry his memory with them as a source of strength and motivation.
Following commencement on May 9, both will continue their academic journey together once again, enrolling in an MBA program at West Chester University.
As they prepare to cross the stage, side by side, as they have so often done, their story stands as more than an academic milestone. It is a portrait of resilience, sisterhood, and the quiet power of showing up, day after day, until excellence becomes inevitable.
