Aniyah Harris, Business Adminstration

As new students tour the ������ý campus, the first smile that often welcomes them is from Aniyah Harris.

The Trenton native is a Business Adminstration major in the MBA Dual Degree program who discovered her knack for leadership early in her college journey.

Harris began her college experience with semester-long projects in the “Introduction to Management” course, taught by Monica Amadio, and the “Marketing Principles” course with Ning Ye. These experiences sparked her interest in leadership.

“Even though I wasn’t confident enough to lead at the time, seeing those ideas come to life in our final presentations gave me a sense of pride and direction,” she said.

Throughout her time at Stockton, Harris has held several leadership roles while remaining a full-time student. She started as an assistant in the program and eventually became a Head TALON, supporting more than 2,000 incoming students through orientation, Welcome Week and first-year mentoring.

One of her biggest challenges when arriving at college was finding a sense of community. Determined to step out of her comfort zone, she explored multiple student groups, trying everything from the billiards club to the dance team. But something still felt missing.

A tap dancer of 14 years at Chambersburg Dance Studio in Trenton, Harris decided to bring her lifelong passion to Stockton. In the spring of 2022, she founded the Stockton Tap Club and currently serves as its president.

“Tap became my niche, and when I didn’t find a space for it here, I built one,” Harris said. “Stockton Tap Club has performed across campus, including the Fusion Experience during University Weekend, a flashmob at the Empowered Leadership Conference, and the Phoenix Night Market.”

She also took two tap classes at Stockton, which led to an opportunity to perform with The Lady Hoofers, an all-women’s tap company, in their 2024 spring showcase at the Harold Prince Theatre at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to her work with ������ý and the Stockton Tap Club, Harris serves as the secretary of , where she previously served as public relations officer for two years. Through the organization, she attended two national ALD conferences – one in Tampa and one in Chicago. 

“I connected with members from across the country and gained valuable leadership experience,” she said.

After graduation, Harris plans to return to Stockton to complete her MBA through the dual degree program. She aims to pursue a career in project management, with interests in human resources, marketing and general management.

She expressed deep gratitude for the guidance she received along the way, naming faculty members including Amadio and Katrina Richter and staff members Candace Mitchell and Ana Edmondson of Student Affairs as key mentors.

“I’ve always enjoyed leading a team, and I’ve been shaped by incredible mentors,” she said. “(They) showed me the kind of leader I aspire to be: dependable, empowering and approachable.”

What will Aniyah Harris miss the most about Stockton? The pool tables.

For her, billiards was more than a pastime, it was a way to meet people and build community during her first year. She even competed in campus tournaments, making it to the semifinals.

“I’ll always miss those spontaneous games and the connections they brought,” she said.

Although many recognize her as a leader and performer, few see Harris’s talent behind the scenes. With experience in graphic design, video editing and content creation, she has helped manage social media accounts for several campus organizations.

“It’s a creative outlet I really enjoy, and it’s helped me build valuable skills,” Harris said.

---