VSU students develop advanced leadership skills at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s Leadership Institute

July 22, 2019

Twenty-two VSU students participated in the 17th Annual Leadership Institute organized by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), October 20-24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Nearly 400 students participated this year from TMCFs 47 member institutions. The VSU contingent was tied for the second largest amongst the member schools.

VSU was represented by 9 seniors, 9 juniors, and 4 sophomores, and the group included students majoring in majors as diverse as computer science, criminal justice, mathematics, biology, computer engineering and political science. The group was led by TMC Campus Ambassador Mr. Jason Daniels (Senior, Computer Science), Dr. Aurelia Donald (Department of Management Information Systems) and Dr. Daniel Roberts (Honors Program and TMCF campus coordinator).

President Abdullah and Provost Palm hosted a lunch with the students prior to their departure where they emphasized the importance of programs like TMCF’s Leadership Institute for students to develop their leadership skills and to interview with leading companies for highly competitive internships and jobs. Ultimately, the VSU students proved to be in high demand for internship and job interviews at a broad range of companies including, Altria, Wells Fargo, Walmart, Pfizer, Hershey, and JP Morgan. The program concluded with TMCFs 30th Anniversary Gala on October 24, where the new incoming TMCF President and CEO, and current Delaware State University President, Dr. Harry Lee Williams, was announced.

Roberts commented, “VSU students continue to receive considerable attention at Leadership Institute, both as young developing leaders and as excellent prospective interns and employees. I was extremely proud of this group of students, and am grateful to TMCF for all of the support they provided our students at LI and throughout the year.”

Related News

The second wave of Thurgood Marshall College Fund scholarships for 2025-26 are open

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have seen record increases in applications and enrollment in recent years, with students preferring a more inclusive environment over predominantly white institutions (PWIs).  Underrepresented minority and low-income students face a disproportionately higher burden of unmet financial need, negatively affecting their retention in the first two years of college. Student […]

Thurgood Marshall College Fund statement on the Department of Education’s FY26 budget request

The Thugood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) officials expressed disappointment in the Trump administration’s decision to recommend Congress cut more than $12 billion in federal education investment in its FY26 budget request. The administration recommended in its budget request that federal TRIO programs and the Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) be eliminated and requested a […]

Chair of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Board of Directors featured in Her Agenda 

The chair of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Board of Directors is featured on the digital media platform Her Agenda. According to its website, the platform bridges the gap between ambition and achievement for millennial women.  Racquel Oden, also serving as HSBC US Head Of Wealth, Premier And Global Private Banking, spoke with Her […]