At Gardner-Webb University, Naliah Codjovi, ‘28, Found Community to Pursue her Calling

Ignite Scholar Aims to Support Fellow Sickle Cell Patients Through a Career in Medicine

BOILING-SPRINGS, N.C.— “Gardner-Webb has a close-knit and welcoming community that gave me the fresh start I didn’t know I needed. It has become a place where I feel supported, seen, and able to grow,” described Naliah Codjovi, who is originally from Buffalo, New York.

She was a high school senior when her family moved to Charlotte, N.C., and her mom suggested she visit Gardner-Webb University. “My mom wanted me to find a community that she thought I would resonate with because I expressed that I needed something new and refreshing,” explained Codjovi, who will graduate from GWU in 2028. “I was reluctant but agreed to visit, and the town and college appealed to me, so once I did the Ignite Scholarship interview, I felt like Gardner-Webb could actually be my college.”

She added that winning the Ignite Scholarship was a blessing for her and her family. A biology major with a biomedical concentration and a minor in health administration, Codjovi’s goal is to become a Physician Assistant and enter the field of hematology. “When I found out I won, I remember thinking it was unbelievable,” she reflected. “It reminded me that if you put in the hard work, and God sees your effort, He will reward you in the ways you least expect. I know that I have a long educational journey ahead of me as someone who wants to enter the medical field, so winning the Ignite Excellence award was a huge financial weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Her choice to pursue a career in hematology is personal. As someone who lives with Sickle Cell Anemia, she wants to be there for others who have this inherited blood disorder. “Living with this challenge has shown me how essential empathy is in medicine—not just treating symptoms but truly seeing and supporting patients and the Sickle Cell community,” she shared. “I want to become the kind of medical professional I always needed growing up: Someone who listens, understands, and fights for patients. My goal is to uplift the Sickle Cell community with clinics and create more equitable care around the world.”

The vice president of the Black Student Association (BSA), Codjovi is not waiting until she is out of college to encourage patients with Sickle Cell. Recently, the BSA hosted Sickle Cell Awareness Week by sponsoring activities to educate Gardner-Webb students about the disorder. The events also supported patients by asking students to write encouraging notes to them as well as collecting donations for Levine Cancer Center.

The professors in the Department of Natural Sciences are equipping her with the skills she needs for graduate school. She appreciates the mentorship of Professor of Chemistry Dr. Stefka Eddins. “She was my chemistry professor for the first and second semester, but she has also been a guiding voice in my life,” Codjovi acknowledged. “She always knows what to say, but most importantly how to say it. She is very wise, kind, and genuine … I appreciate her reminders not to doubt myself and to focus on what’s important in my education.”

In addition to academic support, Codjovi has surrounded herself with new friends and serves as a Student Orientation Leader. Last semester, she served in the Student Government Association as a representative from Stroup Residence Hall and went with the SGA on a mission trip to Rock Hill, S.C., to help people recover after Hurricane Helene. “I feel like it is important to have a place like GWU in your life,” she related. “I did not have much of a community where I came from, so I am more than grateful to be in a place that fosters my spirituality and appreciates kindness and support as much as GWU does.”

Her family is a constant source of encouragement and she knows that she can call them any time. During her first semester at GWU, her family still lived in New York. However, her new friends on campus offered to give her a ride when she needed to go somewhere and also cheered her up when she was feeling sad and alone. They even surprised her one day by bringing karaoke and a dance party into her room. “Moments like those remind me how important it is to make connections in college, especially ones that show up for you when it really counts,” she observed.

She cherishes those special times with her friends, but also knows that life—and especially college—is a journey shaped by personal choices. “I believe an experience is what you make it, and it’s important to focus on what you can control,” Codjovi asserted. “This is definitely not an easy thing to do consistently, but every day I try to be better than who I was yesterday, and that is what matters.”

She shared the same message as an Orientation leader. “I told my group to make the most of college: Go to classes, have fun, but don’t get caught up and forget why they are here,” she remarked. “I told them not to be afraid to meet new people and to try new things. They might meet a friend right away or meet many new friends every semester.” 

About the Ignite Scholarship

Ignite Excellence is Gardner-Webb University’s most competitive academic scholarship. Each recipient receives a full-tuition scholarship that covers the cost of tuition for eight semesters. Recipients are selected through an on-campus interview process. They must maintain a cumulative institutional grade point average of 3.5, reside on campus, and continue to demonstrate a strong leadership ability and commitment to service. Learn more here.

About Gardner-Webb University

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.