TMCF is proud to offer HBCU, HBCC and PBI scholars a variety of programs focused on developing tomorrow's leaders. From high school students to current college students, alumni to teaching professionals, TMCF provides programmatic opportunities designed to enhance each scholar's personal and professional growth. Our career preparation efforts include talent success coaching, student development conferences, networking and recruitment opportunities, internships, immersions and entrepreneurship programs in partnership with employers from around the country.
Corporate Immersions
TMCF’s corporate immersions provide students with an inside look at leading companies across various industries, with these experiences taking place at corporate partner headquarters. These multi-day events feature executive-led workshops, hands-on projects and networking opportunities, giving students a competitive edge in their job search. Companies benefit by engaging with a diverse talent pipeline and identifying high-potential candidates for internships and full-time roles.
DevCon
DevCon is a dynamic three-day immersive experience designed to equip freshman and sophomore students with the tools, resources and insights needed to explore career pathways, develop essential professional skills and engage with top industry leaders. As an early talent accelerator program, DevCon empowers students to refine their skills and innate talents through intentional professional development. With main stage presentations, interactive skills workshops, coaching sessions and strategic networking opportunities, participants will leave feeling confident, prepared and ready to navigate the evolving workforce landscape.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) programming equips students at HBCUs and PBIs to thrive as intrapreneurs—innovative leaders driving change within established organizations. Through hands-on experiences, industry exposure and skill-building opportunities, I&E fosters an intra- and entrepreneurial mindset that empowers students to view challenges as opportunities, think creatively, embrace technology and lead innovation from within. I&E takes a curated approach to cultivating a diverse pipeline of forward-thinking innovators ready to shape the future of work and enterprise by setting the PACE: to Pioneer new ideas, be Avant-Garde in experimentation, Build Community through collaboration, and Strive for Excellence in all they pursue.
Innovation Challenges
Innovation challenges are high-energy business case challenges where HBCU students compete to tackle real-world challenges facing our TMCF partner organizations across a variety of industries. Students are placed in multi-disciplinary teams where they can learn many skills, including design thinking, business model canvas and pitching 101. These experiences allow students to showcase their creativity, problem-solving abilities and industry knowledge while competing for scholarships and access to employment opportunities. For corporate partners, these challenges provide fresh perspectives on pressing business issues and access to top talent.
Internship Programs
The TMCF internship program is an integral part of a student’s education. It helps students successfully apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges. With every internship experience, students have an opportunity to grow personally and professionally while making meaningful contributions to their employer.
Through strategic partnerships with major companies and government agencies, TMCF offers 10-12 week paid internships that usually take place between June and August. Interns work in various locations across the United States in state-of-the-art facilities conducting research and/or contributing to the overall organizational enterprise. In addition, interns work on challenging projects and participate in career readiness workshops and webinars.
Leadership Institute
The Leadership Institute is an exciting four-day leadership development conference for HBCU and PBI students which offers the opportunity to develop and practice leadership skills in areas that will contribute to the success of their personal, academic and professional goals through a variety of interactive sessions and simulations with executives from Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. The conference culminates with a recruitment fair with recruiters exposing students to employers offering internships, full-time jobs and continuing education opportunities.
The Leadership Institute also offers select students an opportunity to participate in corporate immersion experiences and specialized training sessions prior to the start of the conference.
Teacher Quality Retention Program (TQRP)
The Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP) provides high-caliber training and mentoring to aspiring, pre-service and new teachers. TQRP offers an intense 10-day Summer Institute that convenes all three individual areas of focus (HBCU males, STEM and new teachers) to develop sound pedagogy, discuss and demonstrate research-based educational practices and analyze current educational policy – all with the goal of developing the skills of future teacher leaders.
The Pitch
The Pitch is a reimagined, place-based learning experience—a four-day immersive challenge designed to equip HBCU students with the technical, creative and business skills needed to excel in emerging technology fields. Guided by a curriculum grounded in intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial skills in emerging technologies, participants actively apply these skills, engage in innovation workshops, hands-on product development and a high-impact pitch competition.
TMCF Corporate Scholar Programs
Our TMCF corporate scholar programs promote career readiness through scholarships, leadership development, boot camps and immersive experiences for hand-selected student leaders attending HBCUs, PBIs and HBCCs.
These highly competitive programs leverage the knowledge, experience and network of top employers from around the country and TMCF staff to foster a collaborative learning community. Students develop key leadership skills, nurture their originality and receive hands-on experience that will prepare them to be career ready as they join the workforce.
TMCF SOAR Program
The TMCF SOAR (Seeking, Observing and Achieving Results) program champions students as they explore and determine their pathway after high school and continuing support through All Things TMCF (TMCF Pre-Scholars). SOAR provides a multi-year approach to preparing students for life beyond their K-12 educational experiences.
Workforce Development Summit
The TMCF Workforce Development Summit is designed to connect forward-thinking industry partners with work-ready talent from historically Black community colleges (HBCCs), which play a critical role in local and regional economic development through workforce innovation, industry-recognized certifications and associate degree programs. These credentials position students to enter the workforce, filling skilled positions that offer good pay and a promising future. TMCF recognizes the need to drive economic mobility and dismantle barriers to employment through alternative educational and career pathways.
These highly competitive programs leverage the knowledge, experience, and network of top employers from around the country and TMCF staff to foster a collaborative learning community.