For Riley Roberts, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) provided more than professional development opportunities. It helped him build the skills, confidence and connections needed to launch his career.
Roberts graduated from Alabama A&M University in May 2026 with a degree in computer science and will join Truist full-time as a technology and innovation program analyst in the company’s leadership development rotational program. He received the offer after participating in TMCF’s Leadership Institute, where he connected with Truist representatives, served as a student speaker and completed multiple interviews.
The Leadership Institute was one of several TMCF experiences that shaped Roberts’ college journey. He participated in the Citi immersion as a freshman, The Pitch as a sophomore and attended TMCF events hosted on his campus.
As a first-generation college student, Roberts entered college with limited knowledge of professional networking and corporate culture. Through TMCF, he developed networking and interviewing skills while gaining the confidence to step outside his comfort zone.
“Do every application,” Roberts said. “TMCF sends you so many resources, and it’ll open so many doors. I left Leadership Institute with two offers and an additional interview.”
Roberts also learned to remain open to opportunities he may not have initially considered. As a computer science student, he had not considered Truist because he associated the company primarily with finance.
“It’s OK to be uncomfortable,” Roberts said.
Roberts credits TMCF with preparing him to navigate the professional world and take advantage of opportunities beyond the classroom.
“TMCF was one of the few places for an HBCU student that gives you a lot of experiences you won’t get elsewhere,” Roberts said. “TMCF really equips you so you aren’t nervous going into interviews. You don’t realize at the time how much those things help you.”
From his first TMCF experience as a freshman to securing a full-time position, Roberts’ journey demonstrates the impact TMCF can have when students take advantage of every opportunity available to them.
