Prairie View A&M University is a first-class institution, home to ten colleges and schools, offering 39 bachelor’s, 34 master’s, and five doctoral degrees. With nationally acclaimed programs and groundbreaking research that span the globe, even at the undergraduate level, Prairie View A&M doesn’t just offer academic excellence; It sets the standard.
Beyond the classroom, there’s something else. A kind of magic you will only find on “The Hill.” It’s about being on campus, taking in the sights, smells, and wonders of Pantherland. Life at PVAMU is where the heart is; it’s home.
PVAMU is where real experience happens, chock-full of moments, memories, and meaning. Every item tucked inside tells a story, one that students carry, craft, and proudly call their own.
Imagine college life in dorms that actually feel like apartments. Imagine having a bowling alley, retail stores, restaurants, food trucks, and coffee shops (check them out here) at your fingertips, creating an everyday campus vibe that’s anything but ordinary. Inside the central hub, the Willie A. Tempton Memorial Student Center (MSC), Fried Chicken Mondays and Catfish Fridays have become beloved campus traditions.
On the other side of campus, PVAMU is home to a 770-acre farm, where students can buy fresh meat and produce, or volunteer to work with plants and animals, a unique opportunity to stay grounded while giving back.
Wellness is woven into daily life. Each living community has its own fitness center and a state-of-the-art Student Recreation Center steps away. PVAMU’s Student Counseling Services offer in-person and virtual support, and the Johnson Phillip All Faiths Chapel provides space for students to reflect, recharge, and grow spiritually.
When it’s time for a change of scenery, Houston is just a short ride away. Shuttles run regularly, and Panther Bucks can be used both on campus and around the community.
It’s more than a campus — it’s a place that feels like home.
After the books are closed and the assignments are submitted, tradition is what happens.
Those rites of passage begin even before the first homework assignment, at Panther Camp, the official declaration of becoming a Panther. Here is where school spirit is ingrained; from learning class shuffles to building dorm pride (shoutout to the Building Challenges), students begin to connect with the history of this nearly 150-year-old institution.
That spirit carries into the Freshmen Lighting & Pinning Ceremony, the unofficial end to Panther Camp and the official welcome to PVAMU. First-year students pledge to uphold the University’s core values, honor its founders, and “Lift the Light” in their academic and personal journeys before receiving their official pins.
From that point on, the traditions keep building. Hump Day happens every Wednesday with music, laughter, and community. In the fall, there’s the Labor Day Classic, the epic start to football season against PVAMU’s rival, Texas Southern. Add in the State Fair Classic in Dallas and Homecoming, where alumni, students, and the PVAMU “fam” come together to celebrate Panther pride loud and proud – it’s the perfect mix.
In the spring, it’s about Spring Fest, the historic PV Trail Riders helping to launch the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Founders’ Day and Honors Recognition Convocation, a powerful celebration of those who found the perfect balance between mastering their coursework and embracing the full PVAMU experience.
It’s one thing to talk about all there is to do on “The Hill” — the events, the energy, the activity. It's an entirely different kind of vibe to find friends who become like family, the ones who make this place truly feel like home.
PVAMU has more than 150 student organizations where students can explore and find “their people.” Some are tied to academic interests, while others celebrate hobbies, identity, or service. Students can also get involved through higher-profile organizations like the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, Honors Program, and the Undergraduate Medical Academy, or join intramural sports and one of the University’s 16 NCAA Division I athletics programs, supported by state-of-the-art facilities like Panther Stadium.
Of course, there’s the Marching Storm, the largest student organization on campus. It’s internationally known. Big or small, it’s in these groups where lifelong friendships are built, leadership takes shape, and Panthers find where they belong.
Beyond friendships and traditions, PVAMU offers a strong support system built for success. Whether it’s staying on track academically, getting tech help in a crunch, or accessing extra tutoring, Panthers have resources every step of the way.
Through the PV Cares Student Success model, students benefit from personalized academic advising, career, and financial coaching to help manage their goals and balance their workloads. Technology support is readily available across campus to keep projects and assignments on track. The Tutoring Center offers additional academic assistance, ensuring every Panther has the tools to thrive. Students can broaden their global perspective through study abroad opportunities. Meanwhile, Student Media offers a creative outlet.
And when it comes to preparing for life after college, the Department for Careers and Professional Development connects students with internships, professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and a direct connection to more than 80,000 PVAMU alumni making an impact around the world.
PVAMU is more than a university — it’s a launchpad, a home, and a lifelong community, and stepping onto campus is just the beginning.
This story is a part of the Excellence Lives Here series led by the Office for Marketing and Communications at Prairie View A&M University.
Credits
Story by Marchita Shilo
Creative by Ashley Albee, Makayla Davis-Curry '22, Liz Faublas-Wallace, Nicholas Hunt '16, Tyrell Irby '15, and Brian Scott
Built with Shorthand