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/
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Thursday, February 2nd 2017 at 3:32PM
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