A Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) alumna recently joined Howard University athletics as the John McLendon Fellow athletics revenue manager.
Nia James, a graduate of TMCF member school Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), is putting the extensive knowledge and experience she earned through her degree in sport management and various internships to use. James graduated from WSSU in May.
Her background in sports and business is substantial, beginning with her time as a student-athlete on the WSSU women’s volleyball team. She also interned with the Greensboro Swarm; Bank of America; and gained experience with the Carolina Panthers; Las Vegas Golden Knights; and collegiate basketball.
This summer, she completed the 2025 Harvard Summer Venture Management Program, a weeklong immersive experience designed to increase opportunity in business education and leadership.
James said her experiences with TMCF helped pave the way for her success.
“The Thurgood Marshall College Fund gave me the skills and confidence to apply for, interview and land the roles that I applied to post-graduation,” she said. “Now, being an employee at a member institution is truly full circle and I cannot wait to carry on the mission of TMCF to share with our student-athletes.”
She was a 12-time scholarship recipient, most recently earning the McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden scholarship. James was also an inaugural DevCon 2023 participant and a two-time Leadership Institute attendee.
Among those experiences, James cherishes her time as a yard ambassador.
“Being a yard ambassador was truly an amazing experience for me,” she said. “I am passionate about higher education equity and I think that it is important that my peers were privy to the resources TMCF has to offer.”
One aspect that stood out for James was hosting an on-campus scholarship party with more than 300 attendees from campuses across the University of North Carolina System.
“Throughout the school year students messaged me expressing how valuable the events I hosted on campus were and that is truly what it’s all about,” James said.
James said she also gained lifelong friendships, as well as mentorship from Angelica Smith, TMCF events manager.
She encouraged students to embrace the opportunities TMCF offers.
“If it wasn’t for the TMCF, I would not have been a first-generation college and HBCU graduate,” James said. “The resources that this organization offers students is invaluable. Seize every opportunity and connect with the organization whenever possible. They have opened so many doors for me and students like me.”
