The Cheyney Alumni Association met for the first time on commencement day in May 1862. The meeting was held in Sansom Hall in Philadelphia where graduation exercises were scheduled.

The association proved to be very active during its early years taking on projects of significant social and economic importance. Being acutely aware that education was the best means to help eradicate prejudice against our race, the members set up a project that involved determining the number, location and condition of all black school in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Ohio. Their purpose was to supply “Negro” teachers to schools that needed them. Thus, the first organized attempt at placing graduates was through the efforts of the Cheyney Alumni Association.

Over the years, the Cheyney Alumni Association has grown and taken on broader responsibilities. In 1970, the association was incorporated and a non-profit organization known as the Cheyney State College General Alumni Association was formed.