WASHINGTON, DC (October 10, 2017) – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) will assemble one of the largest development and recruiting conferences of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidents, chancellors, faculty, and students at its 17th Annual award-winning Leadership Institute, presented by Wells Fargo, in Washington, DC at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
Starting October 20th, the four-day conference includes development and leadership workshops, networking events and a private recruitment fair. Over 60 of the country’s top Fortune 500 companies, federal government agencies and graduate program representatives will be offering full-time jobs, internships and continuing education opportunities to the HBCU and PBI students in attendance. This year, the Leadership Institute will include the presidents, chancellors and faculty from TMCF’s 47 member-schools, as well as scholars from the Vivian Burey Marshall STEM Pilot Initiative, a TMCF pipeline initiative to HBCUs. This group of eight to tenth grade students will be on hand to listen, learn and witness first-hand what competition and comradery at the college level is like.
“If it wasn’t for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, my future goals would not have been as attainable. I was raised on the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” TMCF without a doubt has contributed to that village and eased certain burdens in my life, said class of 2016 Leadership Institute student, Alex McKee. “TMCF invested in me as a college student and that investment has inspired me to be an investor in future endeavors of my life. I stand eternally grateful to TMCF for allowing me to be able to not just chase my dreams but to realize my dreams.”
TMCF’s Leadership Institute is a national program that aims to develop the student-attendees’ leadership skills, create a community of like-minded scholars, provide companies and government agencies access to overlooked diverse talent, and help students make connections that lead to “good” jobs.
“At its core, TMCF is about investing in our member-school students today, so they can be the global leaders of tomorrow. Our Leadership Institute is the primary vehicle putting our students on the road to opportunity and success,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., TMCF President & CEO. “For 17 years our partners – from so many sectors – have come to Leadership Institute to diversify their expanding workforce with the most talented students who happen to attend one of our publicly-supported HBCUs or PBIs.” “I am extremely excited to have our member-school leadership and faculty at the Leadership Institute this year. In order to develop our students we have to focus on and have the support of the faculty and administration as well.”
The Leadership Institute concludes with all participants attending TMCF’s 30th Anniversary Awards Gala on October 23, 2017. This convening of high school students being groomed to attend an HBCU or PBI, to the students attending these schools and finally the faculty and administration leading these schools all under one roof to develop and sustain the Black College Community is a first and historic achievement for TMCF as the organization celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
NOTE: Members of the media, who wish to cover Leadership Institute, must obtain press credentials by contacting Mr. Paris Dennard at paris.dennard@tmcf.org.
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ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the PK-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.
TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: tmcf.org.
