Thurgood Marshall College Fund

From the Higher Learning Commission Conference in Chicago to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund HBCU Fly-In for Presidents and Chancellors in Washington, DC, I am proud to represent and advocate for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. I extend my gratitude to TMCF's President and CEO Harry L. Williams and his staff for bringing together HBCU executives to engage in discussions about current trends and best practices. The opportunity to connect with corporate CEOs, Senators, and Representatives was invaluable as we addressed the rapidly evolving higher education landscape. As HBCU leaders, it is essential that we not only embrace these changes but also lead them in intelligent, deliberate, and strategic ways.

✨A month later, and I’m still grateful for this moment.✨ From February 18th-21st, I had the honor of attending the Thurgood Marshall College Fund DevCon Baltimore 2026 Professional Development Conference. Not only did I become a TMCF Scholar, but I also had the privilege of representing my home by the sea, Hampton University, as one of just 14 Student Speakers. This experience was truly special. I connected with scholars from many different HBCUs, each with unique perspectives, and ambitions. Growing up in a place where HBCUs aren’t talked about, being in that space felt empowering and affirming. Through engaging workshops and a nice career fair, I gained valuable insights and strengthened my vision for the future. To the incredible student speakers, thank you for making my first DevCon experience so heartfelt, unforgettable and hard to beat ❤️. Being surrounded by such driven, inspiring, and ambitious individuals was influential, and I have no doubt we’ll each go on to make our mark on the world in our own unique ways. What we built goes far beyond being “student speakers”, it’s genuinely deep-rooted ties now. And to my speaker partner, Saad Chrif, thank you for creating a space where I could be my authentic self (even without shoes on lol). It was an honor. To the TMCF staff, Natasha L. Ramsey DeShawn S. Spellman Joshua O'Bryant, BA,CCSP Sharon Mills Tristin R. Terria Byrdsong, thank you for your support and for the meaningful conversations had. Additionally, Thank you so much Dr. Robin Williams and Dewey Norwood Jr. ❤️ #Hamptonuniversity, #Studentleadership, #TMCF, #READYSETTHRIVE #DEVCON26

I’m incredibly grateful to be one of 30 selected to attend Thurgood Marshall College Fund Kiewit Immersion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Over the past four days, I had the opportunity to connect and network with driven students who share the same goals and aspirations as I do. From visiting active project sites to gaining a deeper understanding of Kiewit’s impact in the industry, this experience has been both inspiring and eye-opening. What stood out to me the most was how intentional everyone was about pouring into us—not just professionally, but personally. The mentorship, guidance, and genuine investment in our growth meant more than words can express. Thank you to everyone who planned this experience and to those who invested their time and knowledge into us—it is truly appreciated. #HBCU #FutureEngineer

Grateful for the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Thurgood Marshall College Fund x Kiewit Program in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Over the past few days, I connected with 30 HBCU students, we engaged with industry professionals, and gained firsthand exposure to construction and engineering through site visits and real world applications. As a Physics major at Clark Atlanta University with a concentration in Architecture, this experience strengthened my passion for building and design while giving me a clearer vision for my future in the industry. Thank you to the TMCF and Kiewit team, Terria Byrdsong ,Alicia Head, MSHRM, SHRM- CP ,Kimani Robinson,W. Thad Tobaben, Sarah Pattrin,Tammy Korgie for investing in our growth. Excited to apply what I have learned and continue building toward what is next. #TMCF #Kiewit #FutureEngineer #Construction #Engineering #HBCUExcellence #ClarkAtlanta #ProfessionalDevelopment