Meet Mariah Polk
Mariah Polk is proof that you can be equal parts brain, boldness, and brilliance — and still have time to hit the gym and hang with your people.
Raised in Wilson, NC, with roots in PG County, Maryland, Mariah is a proud graduate of James B. Hunt High School. Her experience there helped mold her into the focused, driven young woman she is today. Between challenging classes and supportive teachers who pushed her potential, Mariah learned how to thrive academically while still holding her own socially — a skillset she’s taking with her straight to the Mecca: Howard University.
At Howard, Mariah is majoring in Biology, with a built-in Chemistry minor — but that’s just the start. She's also picking up a Spanish minor (because, why not?), and she's laser-focused on a future as a forensic biologist. It’s a perfect fusion of her love for science and criminal justice, and she's already setting her sights on grad school to earn her PhD.
But let’s not get it twisted — it’s not all textbooks and test tubes.
In her free time, Mariah loves hitting the gym, going out to eat, and shopping with friends. She also played soccer growing up with WYSA and plans to keep it going on Howard’s club teams — both indoor and outdoor. Oh, and did we mention she can play the piano and clarinet? Yeah, she’s got range like that.
Mariah is especially excited about meeting new people, pushing herself out of her comfort zone, and embracing life in D.C. While she admits the idea of facing challenges on her own is a little nerve-wracking, her confidence, preparation, and purpose are already setting her up for success.
When asked what she wants people to know about her, Mariah said it best:
“I am extremely grateful to be a part of the CSA family. This program’s mission of bringing equity and equality to the classroom and the workforce is very important to me. By receiving this scholarship, I hope to represent CSA’s message in a manner that is fitting of this esteemed program.”
Mariah, you already are.
Welcome to the family.
Fun Facts About Mariah Polk
- She can play both the piano and the clarinet
- She’s pursuing a double minor, including Spanish
- Her dream is to become a forensic biologist with a PhD
- She plans to play indoor and outdoor club soccer while at Howard
- When she’s not studying, you’ll probably find her in the gym or out with friends