Spring 2021 Press Release
SECU Foundation SECU Public Fellows Internship at Fayetteville State University July – September 2020
About About Fayetteville StateUniversity University Fayetteville State Fayetteville State University, the second oldest public university in North Carolina and a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System, will be the regional university of choice for students from rural, military, and other diverse backgrounds who are poised to become visionary leaders who transform communities, states and nations.
Mission Statement
Core Values
Fayetteville State University (FSU), a public comprehensive, Historically Black University, offers robust and innovative degree programs rooted in the liberal arts tradition.
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The university advances knowledge through the integration of teaching, learning, research, and public service. FSU strives to meet the educational, career, and personal aspirations of its students from rural, military, and other diverse backgrounds so that they are equipped with academic and practical knowledge to serve local, state, national, and global communities as enlightened citizens, globally astute leaders, and engaged solution creators.
Integrity Flexible and Adaptable Shared Governance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion • Collaboration and Partnerships • Innovative • Culturally Connected Strategic Priorities 1. Academic Excellence 2. Student Campus Engagement 3. Employee Vitality 4. Impactful Community Outreach and Research 5. University Sustainability
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About the Program The SECU Foundation awarded Fayetteville State University funding to support 10 students under the SECU Public Fellows Internship for program year 2020. The SECU Foundation established the SECU Public Fellows Internship program to connect interested, talented undergraduate students with local leadership in order to obtain meaningful on-the-job experience with a local agency or organization and to provide a unique learning opportunity to allow the SECU Public Fellows Intern to give back to his/her community. Objectives of the internship program include: • • • •
To build capacity for underserved areas To reduce the talent drain from rural communities in North Carolina To develop understanding of the collaborative nature of public sector & nonprofit issues To develop soft-skills while strengthening core competencies
The program was carried out in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing protocols and students were placed at sites that provided virtual and remote work opportunities.
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Program Leadership Team University Leadership
Dr. J. Lee Brown Interim Provost Fayetteville State University jbrown84@uncfsu.edu Dr. Ulysses Taylor Interim Dean Broadwell College of Business & Economics utaylor@uncfsu.edu
Program Director
Ms. Tamri Graves, MBA Corporate & Community Relations Manager Broadwell College of Business and Economics tgraves3@uncfsu.edu | 910-672-1335
Program Administrator
Dr. Rodney McCrowre Assistant to the Dean for Student Success Broadwell College of Business & Economics rlmccrowre01@uncfsu.edu | 910-672-2142
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Program Director
Tamri D. Graves holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing. In addition to a passion for advancing student achievement, Tamri has served as the Corporate and Community Relations Manager for the Broadwell College of Business and Economics in the Office of the Dean at Fayetteville State University. Her successes and achievements in this role include developing and implementing a variety of academic events and corporate-facing programs —most notably, the Whether's Mary Ellen Pleasant Entrepreneurial Fellowship Initiative (2018), the Broadwell College of Business and Economics Speaker Series presents: E-fluence(d)'19 (2019), and the SECU Public Fellows Internship program (2020present). More recently, she onboarded the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Civil Rights and Hershey’s Category Management for Food as a corporate participant in the university’s Corporate Day. Tamri has a diverse bandwidth of experience in fostering academic-corporate relations that includes: academic event planning, strategic community engagement and collaborations, program facilitation, brand creation, advertising and promotion development, product curation, and group seminar facilitation. She also has experience in collaborating, organizing, and hosting academic forums with county/city officials, community-based organizations, university/campus administration, and healthcare professionals. Tamri is a student-centered professional who aims to elevate student competencies through professional development opportunities focusing on business etiquette and performance. She believes it is important to create synergy and value-driven relationships between the academic community, the private and corporate sector, and local and federal government in order to create opportunities for student success. She brings to the SECU Public Fellows Internship program a passion for education and a diverse skill set in management and corporate relations—skills which are placed in service of student success and career readiness. 5
Tyshawn Adams 2020 SECU Public Fellow
I am Tyshawn Tyree Adams, an accounting major with a minor in banking and finance at Fayetteville State University. I hail from the small town of Addor, North Carolina. I was brought up by a loving family and a community that lives by the old proverb, "it takes a village to raise a child." Throughout my life, God has shown me the importance of adversity and how it shapes our very destinies – teaching that our hardships influence passion that erects a platform to carry out a purpose. The SECU Foundation’s SECU Public Fellows Internship program has been a manifestation of this wisdom.
Internship Placement Cumberland HealthNET Classification Junior Major Business Administration Accounting Minor Banking & Finance
My experience in this fellowship has opened doors for me to develop my professional practices and relationships. More importantly, it has allowed me to serve my fellow woman and man, thus creating a lasting impact on my life and within the Fayetteville community. While participating in this fellowship, I had the pleasure of working with Cumberland Healthnet, an extension of the Continuum of Care Program in the United States that is dedicated to the prevention and eradication of homelessness and its negative socio-economic impacts. It felt great applying the lessons learned from my courses of higher learning, including creating cash flow analysis statements, managing capital expenditure projects, and constructing ledgers for complex data entries. But also, it felt much greater speaking with the members of the community while passing out hot meals, learning about their life stories and journeys. It felt electric as I worked with parents through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and securing children's wish lists to Santa. I also paused and expressed to the young black and brown boys and girls I met that they could accomplish anything they put their minds and efforts towards. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program has highlighted areas of future success that I must strive towards to facilitate positive growth. It has confirmed my aspiration to secure a Master’s degree in Accounting. Also, it has fed my passion for becoming a business owner that supports other local businesses and non-profits. Finally, it has gifted me with a deeper drive to further develop my nonprofit, Grace of God Outreach, into a well-respected pillar for disenfranchised communities similar to my hometown.
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Shameka Hamilton 2020 SECU Public Fellow
I am Shameka Hamilton and I am from Fayetteville, North Carolina. I attend Fayetteville State University at the Broadwell College of Business & Economics. My degree is in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare. I participated in the SECU Public Fellows Internship program for Summer 2020. My Program staff supervisors were Ms. Tamri Graves and Rodney McCrowre.
Internship Placement Connections of Cumberland County Classification Senior Major Business Administration Concentration Healthcare
I completed my internship at Connections of Cumberland County. My task was to improve the business plan for the For Goodness Sakes Shop (FGSS), an online retail store. I created a new marketing manual and developed new strategies for selling and marketing the store items. I also assisted with increasing the online store sales and traffic. I updated the pictures and created a list of call-to-action phrases for the organization’s website. I processed daily outbound orders and daily inbound donations. I monitored the sites, sold items, and processed them efficiently. Any donations were quickly sorted, looked up, put into the database, pictured, and posted to be sold. I processed daily orders going out and daily donations coming in. I measured the store’s operational task areas and created a new flow chart on the flow and organization of the store items. I created monthly stores promotions and relevant strategies that helped get items sold. I trained and managed new interns on the operations of the store. I updated the FGSS database along with the data for Connections of Cumberland County. I was able to assist the City of Fayetteville Covid-19 Relief Funds through the CARES Act. I believe the SECU Public Fellows Internship program was a great representation of new opportunities. Knowing your worth and putting your best foot forward will land you where you need to be. In 3-5 years, I see myself owning and operating my own business.
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Kelsey Johnson 2020 SECU Public Fellow
I am Kelsey Johnson, a Business Administration major at Fayetteville State University. I was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in West Chester, Ohio. I attended Lakota West High School and graduated in 2011. During high school, I played basketball and played basketball my first semester of college in Montana. In my past time, I enjoy traveling and trying new food from different cultures.
Internship Placement The Arts Council Classification Senior Major Business Administration Concentration General
During my fellowship I worked for the Arts Council of Fayetteville. The Arts Council is responsible for promoting the vibrant arts and cultural industry in Cumberland County by supplying organizations and artists with grants and support, decorating the community with art, and holding many events, like A Dickens Holiday. During my internship, I was responsible for writing weekly articles spotlighting artists within our community. These articles were published in the Fayetteville Observer newspaper and website. I was also accountable for copyediting the 2019-2020 Annual Report. I learned a lot during this internship and was able to connect with community and have fun while working. The SECU Public Fellows Internship was my first experience in the nonprofit business world. It was educational, engaging, resume-building, and charactershaping. I was able to learn how a nonprofit organization runs and how it effects and improves our community. It helped me see how all departments of an organization work and what may interest me for the future. In the next 3-5 years I hope to have a graduate degree and working full-time in the Human Resources department of a corporate company like Amazon.
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Alexia Massengale 2020 SECU Public Fellow
I am Alexia Massengale, a senior at Fayetteville State University. My major is Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. I was born in Burlington County, New Jersey in the city of Willingboro. My parents were in the military and were stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. We moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina shortly after I was born. However, I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina after my father retired from the military. I attended and graduated from Westover High School. I am a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
Internship Placement United Way of Cumberland County Classification Senior Major Business Administration Concentration Marketing Member • Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
For the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I worked at United Way of Cumberland County. This organization partners with local nonprofit agencies to fund programs that address basic human critical needs. My position at United Way was to assist the community impact director. In my position, I created board reports for each upcoming board meeting and a portfolio of the past graduates from their Leadership Development Program from 2004-2019. This portfolio project was very important and took six weeks to complete because I had to gather information on every graduate for over the past 15 years. I researched where they worked and if they had a business. This task was conducted to ensure that United Way had updated database to host a “Where Are They Now?” event. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program helped me grow professionally and personally. I would love to open my own nonprofit organization within the next 3-5 years. I want to build an organization that will give back to the community, specifically the homeless. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program has given me the chance to understand the depth of giving back to my community and it is something I will forever cherish.
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DV-Ontee Monroe 2020 SECU Public Fellow
Internship Placement The Greater Fayetteville Chamber Classification Junior Major Elementary Education Minor Spanish Member • Student Activities Council • Student Government Association • Royal Court
I am DV-Ontee Monroe, a junior at Fayetteville State University. My major is Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. I am from Pinehurst, North Carolina and I attended Pinecrest High School. In high school I was a member of the National Honors Society, Future Career and Community Leaders of America and the Future Educators Club. During my college career I have served on the Student Activities Council, the Student Government Association and the Royal Court. In 2019 I had the distinguished opportunity to mentor high school students for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Fleischer HBCU Scholars program. In my free time I enjoy volunteering at local elementary schools, practicing textile design, and seeking opportunities to mentor young scholars. For the SECU Public Fellows program I worked with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. The President and CEO welcomed me with open arms. My new colleagues gave me a tour of the office and introduced me to the new software that I would be using everyday at work. I was tasked to create mass email campaigns through Constant Contact and to send them to all the active members of the Chamber. I also regularly updated and input new members using the software Chamber Master. The greatest challenge was training myself in WordPress in order to make major updates to the Chamber website. Nevertheless, I overcame that obstacle and was able to update both the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and Military Affairs Council webpages. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program is such a wonderful opportunity for students seeking internships. This internship contributed to my professional development and taught me how to adapt in a corporate space. After graduate school I plan to work full-time, while running my own enterprise. Throughout my time as a SECU Public Fellow I was able to experience the inner-workings of a real business, make life-long professional connections, and become efficient in web-based software that I may need in the future. I would truly recommend this program to other scholars.
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Calvin Ramseur 2020 SECU Public Fellow
I am Calvin Ramseur. I am a senior at Fayetteville State University and my major is banking and finance. I am from Red Springs, North Carolina. I graduated from Walter Hines Page High School in Greensboro, NC. In my four years at FSU, I have been a part of many organizations on campus such as the Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Student Government Association, Phi Beta Lambda, Collegiate 100, Honor Scholars Association and many others. Some of my interest include playing video games, playing sports, and enjoying family and friends.
Internship Placement City of Fayetteville Information Technology IT Classification Senior Major Business Administration Concentration Banking & Finance Member • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. • Student Government Association • Phi Beta Lambda • Collegiate 100 • Honors Scholars Association
During my time with the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I worked with the City of Fayetteville in the IT department. In this position, I was able to have an eye-opening experience with working in a field outside of my finance major. I learned many new skills in the world of IT while I was also able to use my financial knowledge at the same time. During my time working with the IT department, one of the projects I had the opportunity to work on were the department’s financial spreadsheets for the upcoming years. This helped the department because they are going through the process of researching replacement equipment for the different departments around the City for the next four years. I believe my contribution to this project made a significant impact for the department. Participating in the SECU Public Fellows Internship program has helped me to grow and develop professionally. Having the support of the program staff and IT staff at City Hall really helped me to gain knowledge that will be useful post-graduation. After I graduate, I plan on becoming a financial analyst. I also plan on attending graduate school in the Fall 2021. My goal is to obtain a master’s degree in business administration and open my own financial business one day.
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Sydney Theobald 2020 SECU Public Fellow
I am Sydney Theobald. I was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin, and attended D.C. Everest High School. I started my college journey at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee before getting married and moving to Fayetteville, North Carolina. I graduated with an Associate in Arts from Fayetteville Technical Community College. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree at Fayetteville State University. I am a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society and the National Association of Social Workers. I love spending time with my dog named Iris and working on home improvement projects.
Internship Placement Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation Classification Junior Major Social Work Member • Phi Alpha Honor Society • National Association of Social Workers
For the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I interned at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation. This opportunity allowed me to play a part in the military community of Fayetteville. I worked as an administrative assistant to the Deputy Director who oversees the Paver Program and contributed to the day-to-day operations of the foundation. The Paver Program allows community members to memorialize beloved military members through marble placards that add to the museum's beauty. I also assisted in the annual Field of Honor. This event allows the community to honor and remember loved ones that have served. Field of Honor strengthens the military community through a visual spectacle of support and respect for those that serve. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program is a phenomenal program that has allowed me to get involved in the community by making connections and gaining work experience. This program has allowed me to network and support my community, cementing a passion for those that live within it. The program has allowed me to explore my devotion to people and caring for the community. In the next five years, I hope to have graduated with my master's in social work and be on the way to clinical licensure specializing in working with the military community. The SECU Public Fellows program and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum have helped me find a home away from home in the Fayetteville community. 12
Grace Vincent 2020 SECU Public Fellow
I am Grace Vincent, a junior at Fayetteville State University. I am originally from Durham, North Carolina, and I attended East Chapel Hill High School. I am pursuing a bachelor of science in Mathematics and Computer Science. I am also pursuing minors in both Data Science and Geospatial Data Analytics. At FSU, I am a member of the Honors Program and the University Softball team. I have served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well as worked as a peer tutor.
Internship Placement City of Fayetteville Information Technology GIS Classification Junior Major Mathematics and Computer Science Minor Data Science Geospatial Data Analytics Member • University Softball Team • Honors Program • Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
During the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I worked with the City of Fayetteville in the IT-GIS Department. In this position, I was able to grow my knowledge of common ArcGIS functions and applications. During my time, I had the opportunity to develop different mapping applications available to the City of Fayetteville residents for knowledge on zoning information and flood areas given specific precipitation levels. These products inform citizens about potential danger as well as reduce the number of citizen requests about zone type. My work provided citizens with information that the City currently did not have time to compile and distribute but needed. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program has provided me the opportunity to not only grow my knowledge and understanding, but also allowed me to apply what I learn in my courses. I am grateful for the opportunity that this internship has provided and the insights I have gained by working in a geospatial analysis environment. Because of this internship, once I graduate from FSU, I plan on attending graduate school to continue learning about Geospatial Data Analysis and enter a career applying this learned knowledge of GIS.
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Vanessa Ward 2020 SECU Public Fellow
Internship Placement Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office Classification Junior Major Public Administration Member • National Honors Society • Student Activities Council • HBCU Student Alliance
I am Vanessa Ward, a junior majoring in Public Administration. I am from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. I graduated with a 4.2 GPA from Rocky Mount Senior High School. I was also a member of the National Honors Society, Student Government Treasure, Student Booster club, Key Club and an AP student. I was captain of my basketball and volleyball team. I also became the county champion in shotput and discs for indoor and outdoor track & field. During my time at Fayetteville State University, I have served as a Leap Scholar, Bronco Ambassador, Student Activities Council Member, HBCU Student Alliance Action (Democracy Fellow), and Miss Junior. I also participated in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute. I love giving back to my community and making a difference. I love to read inspirational & historical African American novels. I also believe in having self-care days and spending time with family & friends. For the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I worked with the Cumberland County District Attorney’s office. The supervisors and staff welcomed me with open arms. Expanding my network, I gained much more than connections, I have gained mentors and friends. Any question I had about the Prosecutor’s process they made sure to answer. I was able to learn the legal system and gain answers to questions relating to statutes, rules, regulations, and court interpretations. I was able to research legal precedents, get advice from officials on legal implications of actions, and study County policies, procedures, and efforts to ensure compliance with the law. Most importantly I was able to help prep trial with the Assistant District Attorney. This was the most impactful part of my internship experience because it allowed me to help women who had been victims of horrible crimes get the justice that they deserve. I am very grateful to have been part of this opportunity. It is so important and heartwarming to know that the SECU Foundation is investing funds into Fayetteville State University students. The SECU Public Fellows Internship program has helped me to see a clear path for my future. Upon graduation I want to attend Texas Southern University’s dual Masters of Public Administration and Juris Doctorate 3-year program. I hope to have a career in the law field or a state official’s office. 14
2020 SECU Public Fellows SECU Fellows participated in and implemented a variety of community initiatives to support economic and social well-being.
Pictured Sydney Theobald Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation (Top Left) Calvin Ramseur City of Fayetteville Information Technology (Top center) Kelsey Johnson The Arts Council of Cumberland County (Top right, Bottom right) Vanessa Ward Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office (Bottom left) DV’Ontee Monroe The Greater Fayetteville Chamber (Bottom center)
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Our Partners Preceptors of North Carolina
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Our Fellows Community 2020 SECU Public Fellows Onward and Upward!
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1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 www.uncfsu.edu
SECU Foundation, PO Box 25966 Raleigh, NC 27611-5966 www.ncsecufoundation.org