Claim: Tyra Banks had a small role in a film.

Higher Learning is a 1995 American drama film written and directed by John Singleton , and starring an ensemble cast . The film follows the changing lives of three incoming freshmen at the fictional Columbus University : Malik Williams -LRB- Omar Epps -RRB- , a black track star who struggles with academics ; Kristen Connor -LRB- Kristy Swanson -RRB- , a shy and naive girl ; and Remy -LRB- Michael Rapaport -RRB- , a lonely and confused man seemingly out of place in his new environment .   The film also featured Tyra Banks ' first performance in a theatrical film . Laurence Fishburne won an NAACP Image Award for `` Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture '' ; Ice Cube was also nominated for the award . This was the last film appearance of Dedrick D. Gobert , who was shot dead in 1994 prior to the film 's release .   The exterior shots and outdoor scenes were shot on the campus of University of California , Los Angeles -LRB- UCLA -RRB- while the interiors were shot at Sony Pictures Studios .