One Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) scholar attending the 25th-annual Leadership Institute took an unconventional path to higher education and career success.
Marcus McClean, a senior mechatronics engineering major at Morgan State University (Morgan), is a first-generation college student from Atlanta. As a trailblazer for his family, he made his own path to a degree.
“My story is one of resilience, sacrifice and perseverance; showing that your starting point does not define your destination,” McClean said.
He completed his GED, which he used to earn an associate degree at Baltimore City Community College. McClean then transferred to Morgan and is now a senior in the honors college.
McClean has transferred that academic excellence to his career journey, interning at Whiting-Turner and Medtronic, working for Lockheed Martin Space, and gaining experience in engineering, software development and medical technology.
He said the major impact TMCF has already had on his life and career was his primary inspiration for attending Leadership Institute.
“My peers and mentors who have attended spoke very highly of the experience, and those I know who were participants described it as life-changing,” he said. “Hearing their stories motivated me to take part in this opportunity to grow and connect.”
McClean said he hopes to learn new perspectives on leadership, strengthen his professional skills and connect with mentors and organizations. He also hopes to interview with some companies and leave with an offer.
“I am particularly interested in connecting with companies in the fields of medical technology, robotics and aerospace, especially organizations that are working with surgical robotics, AI and advanced engineering solutions,” he said.
Beyond graduation, he aspires to work in surgical robotics, helping design and improve life-saving technologies that make healthcare more effective and accessible.
“Long term, I plan to continue my education while also reinvesting in my community by teaching, mentoring and creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers and eventually start my own engineering company,” McClean said.
He added that Morgan has prepared him for life outside the halls of academia.
“It has prepared me by giving me an academic foundation, but teaching me the importance of networking, professional presence and being personable,” he said. “I have been thrown into situations that challenge me to lead.”
Whatever is in store for McClean, he said it all leads back to one thing.
“Everything I am working toward is not just for myself, but to create opportunities for others and to show that no matter the challenges, with perseverance and faith, success is possible,” he said.
