White House Initiative picks JCSU student as HBCU All-Star
|
Posted By: Hija Chang on February 02, 2017 Tremell Parker, a 20-year-old sophomore from Durham, N.C., is the latest HBCU All-Star chosen to represent Johnson C. Smith University on the national stage. On Aug. 19, the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities announced his name among this year’s All-Stars class of 73 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, chosen from hundreds of applicants for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and civic engagements. This is the third year of the program, and the third time a JCSU student has been chosen as an All-Star. Last year Parker, a computer engineering major with a minor in computer science, attracted the attention of JCSU’s then-All-Star, Andronica Klaas, who recognized his potential. “I saw Tremell would be a good leader right away,” Klaas said. “He had already taken the initiative and worked his way into becoming president of the JCSU chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. It was quite a feat for a freshman. He had the skills and the grades to be a great asset to the program.” Klaas groomed Parker for the position, sharing her accomplishments and goals from the 2015-16 year and supporting him through the writing of the two qualifying essays, as well as providing encouragement during the waiting period that followed. “I received the call in August saying I’d made it,” Parker shared. “And I feel so fortunate. We’re going to the White House in September and I hope to meet President Obama before he leaves office. Of course, Secretary Clinton might be there, too. Truthfully, I’ll be honored to see anyone associated with the program.” In the meantime, the tall, outgoing student is honing his elevator speech and preparing himself for a year of representing JCSU. Parker said he will try to positively impact JCSU as an HBCU All-Star by bringing more networking opportunities to campus. Over the next year, Parker will serve as an ambassador by providing outreach opportunities and communicating with other students about the value of both education and the Initiative as a networking source. Using social media, relationships with community-based organizations and sessions with industry professionals, he and his fellow All-Stars will share proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential. They will also participate in the White House HBCU Week Conference Oct. 23-25, 2016, national and regional events, and webinars with Initiative staff and other professionals on a range of disciplines that support a spirit of engagement and personal and professional development. https://www.jcsu.edu/ If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Hija Chang
Management, See Moss Interactive Bellarmine University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest News
 |
Promote the Vote Fund: Ensuring Every Voice Is Heard in Michigan 28 April 2026
Promote the Vote Fund, a Ford grantee, is a coalition of partner organizations leading these efforts. The organization works across the ideological spectrum to support voting rights for Michiganders ...more
Hija Chang • 90 Views • May 3rd, 2026 |
 |
Temple to open medical campus in Atlantic CityBoth Temple and the Katz School of Medicine are guided by the belief that education and healthcare open doors and transform communities, and that is exactly what we have accomplished in Pennsylvania,” ...more
Hija Chang • 95 Views • May 3rd, 2026 |
 |
Apartheid’s legacy and the rise of xenophobia in South Africa todayPhoto: An image showing a South African township street with closed small shops owned by African migrants, police presence in the background, and community members walking past with tense expressions. ...more
Joel Savage • 328 Views • April 30th, 2026 |
 |
James Artissen, Big Gipp & DJ Burn One - Just Another DayAcclaimed Grammy-Nominated singer-songwriter James Artissen teams up with Southern hip-hop rapper Big Gipp, and respected producer DJ Burn One for their latest release, “Just Another Day.” The record ...more
Lenell Johnson • 209 Views • April 28th, 2026 |
 |
PROPEL Center Launches Future of Tech Innovation Challenge to Spotlight HBCU Talent & Shape the Next Generation of AI LeadersPROPEL Center, the global HBCU technology and innovation hub committed to strengthening the future Black talent pipeline, announced the launch of the Future of Tech Innovation Challenge, a national co ...more
Crystal Willis • 261 Views • April 27th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 108,216 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
