I am a native of Laurinburg, NC, and I transferred to Pembroke State University in January 1988. I felt that I would prosper if I could find a college setting near my home which offered smaller personalized classrooms. While enrolled, I was a part of the following: Special Assistant (Intern) to the University Attorney, President and Director of Gospel Choir, member of the Baptist Student Union, and a founding brother of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Additionally, I participated in the Chancellor's ad hoc committee to establish an interdepartmental minor in African American Studies and the Chancellor's ad hoc committee to increase minority professors at the university. Because of my interest in society and improving the lives of the disadvantaged, I wanted to become a civil rights lawyer. In June 1989, the summer after my first year, I applied for and received a paid internship as a cooperative education student with the US Department of Labor. The agency works to protect the civil rights of the American workforce. Sixteen years later, I am a civil rights advocate through my employment at the Department of Labor. I would never have had this opportunity had it not been for UNC Pembroke and the personalized counseling I received from Dr. Diane Jones, Ms. Jackie Clark , Dr. Lisa Schaffer, Mr. Frederick Stephens, and Dr. Robert Reising just to name a few.

I learned to seek mentorship, read posted information bulletins, and the importance of volunteering. Specifically, I learned early through mentorship from my professors that some opportunities may not exist presently, but they may be created. I took this challenge personally and I began to look for opportunities to further my academic and social development by reading all of the boards posted in the University Center and in the Administration Building and by spending time volunteering to assist my professors in political campaigning at the grassroots level. This exposure taught me to network and be of service to others. My educational exposure allowed me to contribute to the campus social environment by volunteering in local community based programs geared to address social programs like literacy and teenage pregnancy.

I would advise prospective students to visit the campus and I encourage current students to ask themselves why they came to college. The students should seek guidance from the support staff of career counselors and professors early upon their campus arrival. Both prospective students and new students should be active in their learning by exploring careers and graduate schools early. This early preparation will go a great distance in preparing them for the future.

UNC Pembroke provided an environment for me to grow. The relationships that I established have been lasting and meaningful. I am so grateful to faculty and staff at the university for the impact they had on the opportunities I realized. I received encouragement from everyone from the Chancellor to the Custodial staff and as a result, I am sincerely grateful.