UNCF Brings 70+ Diverse HBCU Students Together for Annual Student Leadership Conference
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As the U.S. becomes majority-minority, employers face a critical challenge: to find and hire the next generation of diverse professionals in the high-growth industries of business, computer science, education, engineering, finance, healthcare and technology. UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) addresses this need through its annual Student Leadership Conference (SLC), conducted this year May 29 through June 1, where rising college juniors and seniors at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) attended intense training sessions hosted by high-level business and non-profit executives. UNCF workshops equipped students with the skills needed to be successful as interns and early-career professionals, as they begin to embark upon their internships and fellowships after the conclusion of the conference.
UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax delivered the opening keynote address to more than 70 college students at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.
SLC attendees are top-caliber, selected program and scholarship recipients in key UNCF pipelines that are developing highly qualified college graduates. Students attending this year's SLC were selected from one of the competitive internship or fellowship programs offered by Anthem Corporate Scholars Program; Health Care Navigator/Apricity Resources Scholars Program; UNCF/Carnival Corporate Scholars Program; United Health Foundation Diverse Scholars Initiative; the Walton-UNCF K-12 Education Fellows Program; and Wells Fargo's intern program.
"These highly motivated students are the future leaders and professionals in their chosen industries, and this conference is engaging them outside their campuses and preparing them for that role," Lomax said. "From healthcare to finance engineering, students like them will soon face challenges we've yet to imagine, and it's imperative that they are prepared to step up and lead.
"We also couldn't do this important work without the companies that are investing in these future leaders at this year's SLC, so we truly thank our participating organizations for their continued support," Lomax added. "This experience is invaluable for any student, but particularly for those UNCF supports."
Students attending the conference were very excited by the information and skills the UNCF SLC provided.
Livi Grant, a junior at Florida A&M University said, "I was about to learn about corporate social responsibility... I'm happy to have engaged and worked with so many amazing individuals both professionally and personally."
Reginald Blouin, Jr., a senior at Xavier University of Louisiana, explained that the conference gave him pertinent details about ensuring others following in his footsteps could have similar opportunities. "All the speakers were amazing. What they told me?and my favorite thing?was that [access to education is really important, and we need to stress that to all of our communities. And to give back!"
Along with Lomax, keynote speakers during the conference were noted author Dr. Joe Johnson, writer of "Pursue Your Purpose, Not Your Dreams"; and UNCF Director of National K-12 Advocacy Naomi Shelton.
Additional conference speakers included:
- Dr. Kelvin Baggett, chief operating officer, Health Care Navigator
- Tracey Edmunds, chief diversity officer, Anthem Corporation
- Shawn Hardnett, CEO and founder, North Star College Preparatory Academy for Boys
- Sharon Murphy, executive vice president and chief information officer, Wells Fargo and Company
- Ronald Phillips, chief people officer and senior vice president of human resources, Carnival Cruise Line
The UNCF SLC is a component of the Walton-UNCF K-12 Education Reform Fellows Program, which is funded by the Walton Family Foundation. The SLC aims to equip students with the skillsets they will need to be successful as interns and early career professionals. Participants gain enhanced understanding of:
- Critical thinking
- Project management
- Verbal and written communications
- Workplace productivity, readiness and etiquette
- Personal leadership styles
- Networking
About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community, and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF annually awards $100 million in scholarships and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste.®" Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter, @UNCF and #UNCFSLC.
SOURCE United Negro College Fund
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