PA Cyber alumna recognized as ‘Changemaker’

Last spring PA Cyber alumna Nia Sioux, 19, earned a “30 Under 30 Changemakers” award for using her immense social media platform to encourage other young people to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools presented the award to 30 young leaders who use their ideas, talents, and platforms to advance educational and economic opportunity and promote equality and social justice. Nia is a dancer, actress, author, activist, and podcast host, initially known for her role as an original cast member of Lifetime’s hit show “Dance Moms.” She inspires and educates her audience of 5.6 million followers on Instagram.

In her Instagram series “Role Model Mondays,” she highlights ordinary people, especially people of color, doing extraordinary things. “It’s so important for people to realize how much power they hold and how much they can do,” she says.

Nia joined PA Cyber in 2017 as a sophomore because she needed a flexible school program that would allow her to meet her career needs as she travelled between work in Los Angeles and family in Pittsburgh. “The beauty behind PA Cyber was how flexible it was but also getting a good education and actually learning things that I wanted to learn about,” she says.

She graduated from PA Cyber in 2020 and enrolled at UCLA where she studies American literature and culture. While she was not expecting to attend college online during her freshman year, her time at PA Cyber certainly prepared her to do so. 

There is no doubt that this changemaking PA Cyber alum will continue to achieve her goals while entertaining us and advocating for her community along the way. Find out how you can unlock your child’s potential at pacyber.org.

PHOTO CAP: Nia Sioux