UVI VOICE 2.0

November 2018

by Leandra Kent

UVI students from both campuses were selected to attend the 18th annual Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute (TMLI)  in Washington, D.C. this fall. Eight coeds, including two attending school in Denmark, traveled to the four day event to network with employers, stake holders and more than 500 students from 48 Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.

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Mrs. Anyha Jerris-Lord, Career Services Coordinator, chaperoned  eight students from the STX campus who included Shakyra King, Jahvan Navarro, Iris Battiste, Julienne Ekpe, Matthew Perry and Arl Polydore. Marc-Anthony Colon and Tione Grant, traveled from their host exchange country, Denmark and joined the group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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The conference includes workshops, seminars and a recruitment fair where Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and graduate program representatives offer jobs, internships and continuing education opportunities.

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According to the (TMLI) website  

 

The award-winning Leadership Institute is a national program intended to develop students’ leadership skills, create a community of scholars, provide companies access to a talented and diverse student population, and help students make connections that lead to careers.

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This power-packed four-day conference prepares carefully selected students from the 47 publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to compete in today’s very competitive global workforce. 

https://www.tmcf.org/our-programs/career-preparation/leadership-institute

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UVI Voice 2.0 spoke with two of students from STX  to get their impressions of the forum and share their experiences with our readers. 

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Arl Polydore, 24, junior, computer science major concentrating in cyber security explains that “overall it was a great experience.  I met with recruiters from Boeing and Walmart Labs along with Georgia Pacific." Polydore added, "We had power sessions with many of the other companies that spoke about [employers]  look for in individuals.”

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Shakyra King, 21 year old senior, accounting major says  her experience was “very informational and inspirational.” She was impressed with the intensity of the conference format and meetIng structure and quoted TMLI's motto, 'Where You Enter as a Student and Leave as a Professional.'

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Eligibility requirements include the following 

 

• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA

• Junior, Senior, Graduate, or Professional Student (strong sophomores considered)

• Science,Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics and Business, Communication Majors 

• Strong Verbal and Written Communication Skills

• Able to Demonstrate Strong Initiative and Drive

 

TMLI offers preparatory webinars prior to the actual event and King added, "Mrs. Lord also did workshops on our campus." 

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