SECU Public Fellows Internship at Fayetteville State University - Fall 2022

SECU Public Fellows Internship at Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville

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.

Fayetteville State University (FSU), a public comprehensive, Historically Black University, offers robust and innovative degree programs rooted in the liberal arts tradition.

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.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The SECU Foundation awarded Fayetteville State University funding to support up to 20 students under the SECU Public Fellows Internship for program year 2021.

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 & non-profit 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.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Tamri D. Graves

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 serves as the Corporate and Employer Relations Director for the Division of University Advancement 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 (2020-present). 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.

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT

I am A’Clea Johnson, a business administration major with a minor in accounting at Fayetteville State University. I am from Gastonia, North Carolina and attended Ashbrook High School. In high school I was president of National Honors Society, a member of student government and Civinettes, a part of leadership in the marching band, and an athletic trainer. At Fayetteville State University I am a member of L.E.A.D organization, Student Activities Council, Phi Eta Sigma, and a member of the Dean’s Student Ambassador Council for the Broadwell College of Business and Economics. In my free time I enjoy learning about natural hair

care, the outdoors, and spending time with my family and friends.

In my internship, I worked with Charisma Beauty Institute as an Administrative Assistant. Charisma is a cosmetology school located in Fayetteville, NC. Due to COVID-19, I relocated back home to Gastonia, NC and arranged to complete my duties virtually. Once I started everyone welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I was part of their family while virtual. During my internship, I was able to see how business was conducted from the source and the behind the scenes of the Institute.

I managed social media, marketing campaigns, and navigated the

school’s web platform.

I am honored and thankful to have been selected for the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program. This experience has helped me grow my knowledge in my intended career path and expand my transferable skills. My duties, position, and projects have broadened my way of thinking on what it takes to run a business. I now have a clearer vision for my future. After graduation, I plan on continuing my education to obtain my master’s degree in business administration and hope to intern within the accounting industry to soon work within corporate businesses.

I am Christopher Paul Lawrence, a business administration major with a concentration in management at Fayetteville State University. Being a military child, I lived at various military installations and cities around the U.S. including California, Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA. I attended White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina where I graduated with AP Accounting honors.

As a Fellow of the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I had the pleasure of holding the position of a Distribution and Logistics Manager as well as a Marketing and Public Relations Specialist

at Hot Sugar Pop, “Fayetteville’s Finest Popcorn” in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Coming into the genesis of the distribution plan, I learned how a business is set up from the preparation of the product to the point of sale. For the marketing tasks of this internship, I conducted the sales and advertisements on the websites and made the menus that are now being used for customers.

Throughout the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, Ms. Graves and Dr. McCrowre have inspired me to be a business professional. It has been an honor to learn and grow as a student as

well as a person. In the next 3-5 years, I hope to be working in the corporate world, while working to have a black-owned business to be a global inspiration to younger and older people to Eat healthy, Feel healthy and Be healthy.

Christopher Paul

I am Elijah Brake, an English/ Pre_Law major at Fayetteville State University. This summer, I had the distinct honor of working with the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office through the SECU fellows program under the direction of Ms. Tamri Graves and Mr. Rodney MCcrowre. This has been an experience like no other! It has always been my goal to become an attorney. I want to contribute to the legal field and to have the opportunity to interact with attorneys of such high value has been extremely rewarding. The first day on the site, I was greeted by all of the amazing staff, given a tour of the courthouse and the courtrooms where a few cases were being held. The staff greeted me with warm welcomes, serving up continuous advice and

guidance that will assist me in my legal journey.I felt at home here because everyone had a goal of servant leadership in mind. When you are a servant leader, you tend to have the objective to empower others by setting an example of what you believe will produce the most effective workplace and uphold the values set forth.

Not only did the staff carry themselves as servant leaders, the SECU Fellows Program executed this action as well.Once A fellow completes their duties, going back to their communities and sharing what they have learned with peers is one of the best ways to display understanding and purpose of the program. I want to thank the SECU Fellows Program, Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office,

and of course the directors of this program for the unwavering belief in us, the fellows.Thank you all for the opportunity and most importantly, than trusting that we will take what we have learned and create a positive impact on our communities!

Accounting

I am Jerome Lincoln, an accounting major at Fayetteville State University. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and I moved to North Carolina when I was 15 years old. I came to North Carolina to explore new opportunities. Upon graduation, it is my goal to earn my CPA license to operate my own business.

During the summer I was placed with HotSugar Pop that is located at Cross Creek Mall. During internship I wanted to do better for myself and wanted learn new skills, networking and I wanted to see push my self to do more things. My site supervisor is Will Glass and I was

gladly able to work with him and even learned about how to start

a small business and have it franchise out. While working in the store I was able to meet the employees that was there and welcomed me with open arm to the “PopCorn Family.”I was able to learn about all the different flavors that the store had to offer and I was also able to teach the employees how to sell to their customers.

After my work of teaching the employees how to sell, we saw a spike in customers. Some of same customers but a lot more new customers.

Overall I really enjoyed my time with the SECU Public Fellows Internship program and I also enjoy my time working at HotSugarPop. I wouldn’t take this opportunity for granted.

I am Junae Buchanan, psychology major at Fayetteville State University. I am from Greensboro, North Carolina but I currently reside in Harnett County in Dunn, North Carolina. I attended Walter Hines Page High School in Greensboro, then I went to North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, North Carolina but in Fall 2019, I transferred to Fayetteville State University.

Here on Fayetteville State’s campus, I am a member of L.E.A.D. and I’ve been involved in other organizations such as being an Orientation Leader and being the Transfer Student Representative in the Weekend Activities Committee.The

placement site that I’ve interned at is The Sherri Arnold-Graham Foundation in Fayetteville, North Carolina and I was the Media and Marketing Specialist. The projects that I’ve worked on in my position is creating newsletters/flyers for the foundation, researching different marketing strategies to use for their social media platforms, and finding ways to bring the Foundation’s events to FSU campus.

I feel like I’ve made a not to small but not to big impact on the projects I’ve worked because the Foundation always talk about how such a big help, I’ve been in my contributions to the Foundation. How do I feel about the SECU

Public Fellows Internship program? I think it’s a great way to build up your character and a great way to build your resume too. I’m a Psychology major and the program helped me develop a new skill that I never thought I had. What I hope to accomplish in the next 3-5 years is a master’s degree in education, I want to be a teacher for middle or high schoolers. My career goal is to become a middle or high school guidance counselor.

Justice-Troy Thomas

Internship Placement

I am Justice-Troy Thomas, transfer student and Business Administration with a concentration in General Business at Fayetteville State University. I am from Bay Shore, New York in Suffolk County. I graduated from Bay Shore High School and attended Suny Morrisville State College and Suny Farmingdale State College.I am a former member of the Black Student Union and NAACP. My hobbies are watching sports, playing video games, and reading. The site I was placed in is Scott & Associates, located in Fayetteville, NC.

My position was an Insurance Brokerage Office Intern. My duties were to handle client inquiries,

provide various administrative support, coordinate meetings for the owner, and maintain filing systems and customer profiles. I also worked on a project interviewing the founder of a non-profit organization that helps families receive education and jobs. The interview was about the founder’s organization having a back to school fundraiser for students and how people can donate school supplies to Scott & Associates.

I believe I made a difference on a small scale by contributing to a local business. The SECU Public Fellows Internship was a great learning experience for me. I enjoyed learning about insurance

and working closely with my coworkers.

My time at this internship has definitely prepared me to work in corporate settings and my career path.Within the next 3-5 years, I plan to graduate with my Bachelor’s of Science in Business and work in Human Resources while attending Law school. My career aspiration is to become a Corporate Lawyer.

Associates

My name is Ka’Nijuh N. Tillery, and I am from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and grew up in Edgecombe County. I am a Junior at Fayetteville State University majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and minors in Visual Arts and Marketing. I graduated in June 2019 from Rocky Mount Senior High School. I am a member of Phi Eta Sigma freshman honor society and Enactus. I served as Secretary of FSU’s Hispanic Club and FSU’s Title IX as the Poster/Design Artist. My hobbies include being creative (art, innovations, etc.), cooking, helping others, and spending time with loved ones.

For the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I worked with Freedom Organization as an

Operation Intern. I was responsible for attending various meetings, managing/updating data, managing email and social media content, and conducted research for events/ programs. I also gained relevant HR experience as well as applying for grants and enhancing donor letters. Two of the projects I worked on were Princeville Community Day and Princeville Annual Cookout. I was responsible for researching volunteer recruitment information,

creating flyers, and promotions, via social media. I single-handedly increased its interaction rate by 9.5% from June-August and created a new website. I also worked and marketed with Golden Organic Farm, a partnership of Freedom Organization.

I am pleased to have been a part of the SECU Public Fellows Intern program. This opportunity granted me skills to enhance my communication, written, creative, and public speaking skills.

Subsequently, I used my creative skills to create my first website for a company and contribute my knowledge from schooling to effectively help a non-profit organization. In 3-5 years, I hope to earn my master’s in business administration for entrepreneurship following a full-time, high-paying Administrative or Executive job for my own company, non-profit, or corporation, leading others down the path that I endured.

Katia Crawford

Placement

I am Katia Crawford, a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland but I wanted a change when it was time for me to choose colleges. Before attending FSU in 2019, I attended North Carolina Wesleyan College located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. I had originally started as a biology major but, after taking general education classes, I soon realized that I enjoyed learning about the mind and what psychology has to offer. Transferring to FSU to finish my education is one of the best decisions I have made in my college career.I can be a part of mentoring clubs, such as LEAD, and civic educational clubs such as NAACP. Having opportunities to intern for the summer through FSU is a major benefit that I believe more students should know about.

The SECU Foundation SECU Public Fellows Internship Program is a great way to build your work experience and better understand what field you may or may not want to go in after graduating college.

Over the summer, I was placed at Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch, a Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the homeless and less fortunate communities.

I am Keyondre Currence, a healthcare administration major, with a concentration in Management at Fayetteville State University. I am from Kings Mountain, North Carolina. I attended Cleveland Early College High School, class of 2017. At Fayetteville State University, I have participated in SGA, serving as Freshman Class Representative and Senior Class President. I have also served as Mr. Senior in the Royal Court. I have obtained the accolade of SGA Man of the Year for the 2017-2018 academic school year. I have also been apart of Man in The Mirror Male Mentoring, serving as the President, 20182020.

This summer, I interned for the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC), an economic development group designed to

cater to existing industry while introducing new industries to the Fayetteville Cumberland area.

The FCEDC highlights the best of Fayetteville and the positives of the area to businesses who may need a change of scenery or are looking for a fresh start in the area. While in this role, I was able to sit in on site presentations, attend board meetings, manage a coworking space, facilitate a Buy Local Policy and meeting the many city officials and entrepreneurs at the Annual Trade Show at FTCC.

This internship taught me how to conduct business, both personally and professionally. I learned how to present myself and my brand. Before, it hadn’t occurred to me that something as simple as a smile and great presentation could sell a company to this area until I saw it for myself. Being genuine in your approach and supplying the

Keyondre Currence

best possible information about Fayetteville and its resources, that’s how they were successful. This internship has helped me grow into a more thoughtful and meticulous leader, professional, and student.

Nathan Sisk

Internship Placement

The Rock Guns

I am Nathan Sisk, a healthcare administration major at Fayetteville State University. I am from Rochester, New York, and attended Churchville-Chili Highschool, where I graduated in 2013. I then attended Monroe Community College for three semesters until I decided to join the Marine Corps as an infantryman in December 2014. I now have been married to my beautiful wife for two years, and we enjoy going to the gym together and weightlifting.

For the SECU Fellowship program duration, I was placed at The Rock Guns and Accessories, where my prominent role was as a marketing liaison. Throughout my time there, I accomplished many individual projects, including developing a custom gun ordering sheet and researching businesses in the local area for cerakote expansion. This was a fully remote position;

it prepared me for the modern workforce when work is done outside the office.

The SECU Foundation has allowed me to see into a career path that I haven’t initially considered. This has also allowed me to have great experience working on my resume and experiencing a diverse workplace. Within the next 3-5 years, I plan to start and finish my master’s degree and acquire a job within the VA healthcare system to help provide better care for veterans like myself.

Veterans are often forgotten, neglected, and I want to make a difference in the lives of many during my career.

Classification Junior Major Healthcare Administration

Nikkita Logan

I am Nikkita Logan , a social work major with a minor in sociology at Fayetteville State University. I was raised in Spring Lake, North Carolina. I graduated from Pine Forest High School.

After high school, I attended North Carolina Central University for a year to pursue my degree in Social Work. Shortly after, I had my beautiful son which led me to take time off from school for a year. Following, I attended Fayetteville Technical Community College to receive an Associates of Arts Degree. A motto I have learned to live by is “you are the most valuable investment you will ever make.”

For the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I interned at the Melchor Quick Meeting House (MQMH). Which is a non-profit

organization whose mission is to provide a place to honor African Americans in Fayetteville, NC, providing a space for spiritual, cultural, and educational enrichment.

My duties involved formulating a list of potential community organizations to connect with MQMH. One of my major tasks was to merge a joint website with the meeting house sister organization AAERO.I had the pleasure of working jointly with a SECU Fellow, Mr. Tyrik Williams, to complete the website.

Lastly, I attended the AAERO@ MQMH virtual symposium.I had the opportunity of meeting members of the organization to discuss the current and future endeavors for the organization.

The SECU Public Fellows

Internship program has provided me with the opportunity to make connections and push my career forward. It has helped me gain experience in the workplace. In the next 3-5 years, I hope to expand my mom blog, “Mingle Mommy”, into an organization to help mothers come together to educate, inspire, and connect; pushing forward to pursue their goals with a community of moms.

I am ShaQuoyia Collins, a Business Administration concentration in Management and minoring in Finance at Fayetteville State University.

I live in Lumberton, North Carolina. I attended South Robeson High School in Rowland, North Carolina, and graduated in 2019. I am currently on the Dean's list and Chancellor's list at Fayetteville State University. My hobbies are listening to music, writing, and the most important; a passion to help people. I love to put a smile on someone’s face.

The company I am working for is called Native Angels, but the department I am working in is

Native Angels Total Property Management. The positions I have been doing are working with

Human Resources, filing, faxing paperwork, and going through the employee records to make sure everyone has all the information updated and their orientation packets are completed. I also was going over medical records and making sure everything is done correctly.

The owners of Native Angels provided all the employees with a free covid-19 test. To ensure their client's safety when they go to the homes to provide the services needed. During this project, my outputs were a medium scale because I implemented a spreadsheet of documentation for covid testing.

What I learned out of the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program is always to follow your dreams and pursue them. I’m

very grateful for being placed at Native Angels because I learned a lot regarding the field, I’m pursing which is Management and Finance. In the next three to five years, I see myself finishing up my graduate degree, which will be my Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources and be financially stable and prosperous within my life.

My name is Tha Thoun, and my major is Accounting. I am from Modesto, California. I have faced a lot of adversity growing up includes enduring poverty, the absence of either parent in my life. The hardships, fueled my desire for a strong work ethic. It also made me very resilient. Due to the adversity, I had faced in life, I learned to overcome my obstacles by building perseverance, praying, and staying proactive. My interests include working out because I am constantly challenging myself. My passion is standing up for civil rights and volunteering to help the less fortunate. The obstacles in my life had given me a different perspective of life. I learn to stay with my roots and help those that are in my community. My placement is at Southern Regional AHEC. We focused on

social determinants and health disparities. The duties that I have completed include, PowerPoints, presurvey questions, creating a master calendar, applications such as disclosure forms and director forms, accountability for conferences, marketing events, completing certificates for attendees, and attending symposiums.

I have learned so much from the health professionals, the CME presentations, and my director. Ms. Goble reminded me since my first week that I was gifted and suggested that I pursue graduate school. Post-graduation, I plan to work and attend graduate school. I plan to pursue a career in health care. SECU Public Fellows Internship program provided me with new insight, network

connections, hard skills, and improving my communication skills by allowing me to gain work and educational experience. I learned to improve my communication skills and build my marketing skills. I want to give a big thanks to Fayetteville State University, SECU Foundation, and Ms. Tamri Graves for allowing me to reach and finally see the potential in myself.

Tyeishia Timlet

Internship Placement

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber

My name is Tyeishia Timlet and I’m a Senior at Fayetteville State University studying Media and Communications. I grew up in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Andy Dekaney High School before attending Texas Southern University. I transferred to FSU during the pandemic to finish my senior year. Within my first two semesters, I made the Fayetteville State University Chancellor’s List. In my free time, I like to travel, go shopping, and eat seafood.

For the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I worked with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce as the Corporate Communications and Marketing fellow. In this role, I focused on executing digital marketing campaigns to promote

the Business Networking Breakfast, Business After Hours, and Chairman’s Coffee Club. I led the redesign of the Chamber website and communicated the vision with the design team. This project gave me leadership and project management skills.

I am very proud that I became a better Marketing professional during this experience.

The SECU Foundation’s SECU Public Fellows Internship program provided an opportunity to network with community leaders and engage with local businesses. After graduation, I will establish a career and land a full-time job that I enjoy while also getting back to a few passions and hobbies that I love. I will travel and start a YouTube channel helping other

women develop themselves in their careers, style, and life.

I am Tyrik S. Williams, a social work major with a minor in criminal justice at Fayetteville State University. I am from Fairmont, North Carolina and graduated from Fairmont High School. During my time at Fayetteville State University, I have been a member of the Student Government Association, served as Chief Justice of the Student Conduct Board, Mr. Hispanic Club, Mr. Future Alumni Association, and a production member of the Black Millenium Modeling Troop.

For the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I worked with the African American Education & Research Organization (AAERO). Throughout my position I conducted research and organized a list of organizations to assist AAERO in connecting with the African American community in Fayetteville, NC. I worked alongside AAERO to

help redesign the website and marketing materials. Also, I had the opportunity to give insight on supporting the educational needs of the African American community while maintaining the true vision of AAERO. Lastly, I had the pleasure of giving a virtual presentation on my internship experience at AAERO annual symposium.

At Fayetteville State University, I have had the privilege of being in an environment of military personnel.

With this I have grown a passion to study and learn more about the effects of PTSD and other mental issues that surround Veterans and those who are active duty. With obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Social Work in December 2021, I strive within the next 3-5 years to get my master’s in Social Work to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My goal is to

Tyrik Williams

open a private practice for adults and children to come to receive treatments for mental health issues that can be occurring within oneself.

2022 SECU Public Fellows

SECU Fellows

participated in and implemented a variety of community initiatives to support economic and social well-being.

Ka’Nijuh Tillery Freedom Org

Jerome Lincoln & Christopher Lawrence HotSugarPop

Tyeishia Timlet Greater Fayetteville Chamber

Katia Crawford OperationInAsMuch

Tha Thoun Southern Regional AHEC

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