TMCF Scholarships

In FY18, in partnership with TMCF, 30 of our partners invested in student success by providing critical funding for merit and needbased (gap completion and supplemental needs) scholarships for students attending publicly-supported HBCUs and PBIs.

TMCF had a historic year of student investments with over $4.2 million awarded for student scholarships covering spring, summer, and fall semesters in 2018. 

Partner Highlights

TMCF | Walmart Foundation First-Generation Scholarship and Mentor Program

The 2018-2019 Walmart Foundation Scholars gained an increased competitive advantage during their first semester as a result of the support and guidance they received from their mentors. Programs such as this are shown to help increase student retention and boost student achievement.

The 18th Annual Leadership Institute was presented by Wells Fargo, which pledged an additional $1.1 million investment in TMCF. The event culminated with a major recruitment fair, where Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and graduate program representatives offered jobs, internships, and continuing education opportunities.

Leadership Institute Testimonials

“TMCF has provided me with so many opportunities that have enhanced my leadership and professional skills. From interviews to sessions, walking the red carpet, and meeting amazing celebrities, there is genuinely no other experience like the TMCF Leadership Institute experience. I can now stand alongside my mother and sister to attest how life-changing TMCF is to so many Scholars and families.” — Jneva Norfleet, TMCF Leadership Institute Scholar 

“Wells Fargo has invested over $7 million dollars into TMCF and the Leadership Institute because we believe that these students are the best of the best.” — Jimmie Paschall, Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise Diversity and Inclusion & Strategic Philanthropy, Wells Fargo

Program Highlights

Department of Defense Internship: (Stats taken from Post Internship Survey)

• 97% of interns agreed that they were “very satisfied” (63%) or “satisfied” (34%) with their professional growth as a result of the internship.
• 87% of interns are likely or very likely to consider DOD STEM careers. *89% of interns stated that they are “highly committed” to pursuing a career in a STEM-related field.
• 100% of interns stated that they would like to participate in TMCF internships in the future.
• 94% of mentors were “very satisfied” (69%) or “satisfied” (25%) with the TMCF internship program.

USDA Internship: (Stats taken from Post Internship Survey)

• 100% of interns stated that they would like to participate in TMCF internships in the future.
• 100% of interns considered the program relevant and meaningful to their short/long-term career interests.
• 97% of interns were satisfied with their professional growth as a result of the internship.
• 93% of supervisors rated their interns’ overall performance as “excellent” (74%) or “above average” (19%).
• 97% of supervisors “strongly agreed” (76%) or “agreed” (21%) that their intern(s) had the educational/academic skill sets to meet the needs of the workforce.
• 95% of supervisors were “very satisfied” (81%) or “satisfied” (14%) with the TMCF internship program.

Opportunity Funding Corporation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program

The annual Opportunity Funding Corporation (OFC) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference train future innovators and entrepreneurs from HBCUs and PBIs in the skills needed to generate economic success through their own businesses or within knowledge-driven organizations. This intensive event connects students developing technological innovations with their peers who have strong business acumen and provides training, coaching, and resources to prepare them for the event’s culminating Pitch & Win Competition.

This year’s event hosted 93 students at the American Underground at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham, NC. Guest speakers included Antwon Davis, managing partner, 4THPARK; Clarence Bethea, founder & CEO, Upsie; Felecia Hatcher Pearson, co-founder, Code Fever; Gamal Codner, co-founder, Fresh Heritage; Hassan Riggs, founder and CEO, Smart Alto; Kehlin Swain, co-founder & CEO, Xplosion Sports; and Shuya Gong, venture designer, IDEO.

OFC Partners

The investment OFC makes into the lives of HBCU students extends far beyond the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. After attending OFC, Ariana Waller founded her own tech startup company called Adoraa Company and participated in the Start Garden 100 Ideas citywide pitch competition. Her tech startup business was awarded $20,000.

“Before OFC I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but after OFC I became one. TMCF gave me an opportunity and experience that I can now say was a critical part of my foundation for becoming an entrepreneur. The OFC team equipped me with the skills to become an IOS developer; gave me access to a network of amazing people; and, most important, gave me the necessary tools and motivation to start a business.” — Arianna Waller, OFC Participant

Apple HBCU Scholars Program

As a result of Apple’s multi-million dollar investment in 2015, our Apple HBCU Scholars program offers students work experience with one of the most innovative companies in the world. In 2018, Apple HBCU Scholars participated in a 3-day immersive experience, a 12-week internship, and received up to $25,000 in need-based funding.

To date, over 100 HBCU students have been immersed in Apple’s corporate culture and the entire Silicon Valley ecosystem as Apple Scholars. This was accomplished through leadership development opportunities, mentoring, and participating in the Apple internship program at the company’s Cupertino Headquarters.

The Vivian Burey Marshall Academy

Made possible by the U.S. Army, the Vivian Burey Marshall Academy (VBMA) is in the second year of the four-year pilot initiative. Designed for students in Baltimore, MD, and Vicksburg, MS, VBMA provides access to Army-sponsored science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs that will engage and inspire the next generation of K-12 talent. The VBMA program received the Governor’s Award for Exemplary Partnerships from the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education in 2018, amongst other honors.

In 2017-2018, 59 Scholars participated in Gains in Education through Math and Science (GEMS) and UNITE summer program, and 92 Scholars participated in other Army-sponsored programming including Junior Solar Sprint (JSS Competition), eCybermission Competition, STEM Expo, and APG Bootcamp. These activities focused on STEM skill-building, challenges, research projects, and other team building activities. VBMA Scholars continued to excel, earning 28 awards, which was an increase from nine in all previous years combined.

Teacher Quality and Retention Program
Summer Institute

Through our Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP), we invest resources into recruiting and training teachers to serve in high-need urban and rural schools, and we provide assistance and ongoing professional development to support new teachers during their first years in the classroom.

We also hosted the Third Annual Teacher Fellow Summit in Houston, TX. The six-day event is led by STEM professionals with the objective of preparing the Fellows to work with VBMA Scholars during the next year as they participate in national STEM competitions and enrichment activities that are sponsored by and in collaboration with the U.S. Army.

“As a second year teacher Fellow, coming to the Summit again was a rewarding and refreshing experience. I left more excited about what is to come this upcoming year, and I truly feel blessed to be a part of such a rewarding program” — Benjamin Battle II, Vicksburg, MS

Teacher Quality and Retention Program
Summer Institute (cont.)

In 2018 alone TQRP Fellows had an impact on more than 2,500 K-12 students in high-need urban and rural areas across the country.

The 2018 TQRP Institute, like those from 2015 – 2017, received extremely high overall ratings from Fellows, with 98% of Fellows rating it as excellent or good. TQRP 2018 received a Net Promoter Score of 91 at post-Institute and 95 at follow-up.

At TQRP, there was an understood idea that teaching is our passion and although this is a challenging career, we have a responsibility to educate and empower our students to reach their full potential…I left knowing that I made authentic connections with genuine people. I know that if I am faced with a problem, whether it is in my own classroom, within my school, or even personal, I can reach out to my TQRP family — Tiyana Herring, TQRP Fellow, Florida A&M University

I have been attending the Institute for the past six years, and my experience has been nothing other than great. When I started attending TQRP I entered the workforce ahead of my colleagues; mastering topics such as classroom management and differentiated instruction, which made me stand out to my employers who were very impressed by how well I handled myself in the classroom. We are strong and we are leaders. I owe that all to TQRP. — Latoya Benjamin, University of the Virgin Islands – St. Croix

Member-Universities Professional Institute

In June 2018, with the support of Title Sponsor Wells Fargo, TMCF partnered with the National Sponsored Programs Administrators Alliance (NSPAA) to host the Member-Universities Professional Institute (MUPI) in New Orleans, in conjunction with NSPAA’s 23rd Annual Technical Assistance Workshop Series.

TMCF developed and managed content for the first day and a half of the conference, which focused on diversifying the types of federal funding that sponsored research officers pursue. Under the theme “Working Together – Our HBCUs Will Survive and Thrive,” TMCF’s President & CEO Dr. Williams delivered the keynote address during a special dinner commemorating NSPAA’s 25th Anniversary. The Institute also featured a keynote address by Grambling State University President Richard Gallot, Jr.

U.S. Department of Defense Faculty
Fellowship Program

Eight universities and 10 faculty fellows participated in the 2018 Department of Defense Summer Faculty Fellowship Program to do research and present it to the scientists at the Department of Defense, Army Research Labs in Aberdeen Proving Ground in Adelphi, MD, and the Air Force Research Lab in Rome, NY.

The partnership between TMCF and the U.S. Department of Defense serves to increase opportunities for faculty research, strengthen capacity building for HBCUs, and support the overall diversification of the STEM workforce.

*100% of participants

• stated that they were well-versed and knowledgeable regarding U.S. Department of Defense research topics.
• were offered the opportunity to collaborate on current and future research activities.
• stated that they would like to participate in TMCF Faculty Fellowships in the future.
• stated that after the fellowship they will likely bring U.S. Department of Defense research activities to their campus.
• stated that the U.S. Department of Defense Faculty Fellowship met their expectations.

Capital Builders Center

Thanks to a $1 million grant from a public/private partnership between the Clifton Foundation, University of the District of Columbia (UDC), and the District of Columbia government, students at Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and UDC will have the opportunity to participate in the Capital Builders Center, which is an exciting new entrepreneurship program that is administered by TMCF.

Graduating high school seniors and college freshman from DC, who are entering their first year at Bowie State University, Morgan State University, or UDC, can participate in the free, 18-month program. The program includes boot camps, entrepreneurship training, pitch competitions, and mentoring, and culminates with a summer apprenticeship with a local corporation or organization the following summer. Fifteen participants comprised the inaugural group.

“This is the entrepreneur’s Julliard for local, high-potential students who can build organizations of unlimited size. Entrepreneurship is the most important talent in America right now.” –Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO, Gallup

TMCF Government Relations

TMCF secures investments for the entire Black College Community through the effective advocacy efforts of our Government Relations Division. TMCF provides unparalleled advocacy on behalf of our member-school HBCUs and PBIs before Congress and the Executive Branch, to protect and secure critical funding across federal agencies and advance the policy priorities of the Black College Community in Washington, DC, and at the state level.

2nd Annual HBCU Fly-In

TMCF hosted 35 presidents, chancellors, and law school deans for the 2nd Annual HBCU Fly-In in February 2018, which is our member-school Winter convening designed to give our school leaders the opportunity to engage with federal agency leaders, Members of Congress, and the Executive Branch on legislation and policy affecting HBCUs and PBIs.

The keynote address was delivered by Johnathan Holifield, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, and the event included stimulating presentations and discussions.

The first day culminated with a special reception in the Mansfield Room in the U.S. Capitol attended by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, as well as a wide array of bipartisan Members of Congress, including Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN); Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions, Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA); the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA); Senator Tom Carper (D-DL); Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); Senator Chris Coons (D-DL); Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD); Representative Alma Adams (D-NC); Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX); Representative Mark Walker (R-NC); and Representative David Price (D-NC) .

Legislative Advocacy

Due, in large measure, to TMCF’s advocacy efforts, Congress provided the HBCU Community with substantial wins within the FY18 Budget such as:

• Increasing funding for Title III Strengthening HBCU and HBGI programs, the U.S. Department of Defense’s HBCU Minority Serving Institutions Program.
• Maintaining funding for year-round Pell Grants to students.

Congressional and Administration Engagement

With 2018 being Dr. Williams’ first year as TMCF’s President & CEO, Dr. Williams and the Government Relations Team met with several key Trump Administration officials, Betsy DeVos, U.S. Education Secretary; Johnathan Holifield, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs; and administrators within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the National Institutes of Health throughout the year.

Additionally, TMCF had strategic engagement meetings with several Members of Congress during the year, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); the leadership of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Chairwoman Virginia Fox (R-NC) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA); Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN); Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-LA); Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Thad Cochran (R-MS); and Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and Representative Bradley Byrne (R-AL), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus.

TMCF HBCU Sustainability Summit

TMCF’s long-term investment in the future of HBCUs was displayed by the convening of the TMCF HBCU Sustainability in Washington, DC, in partnership with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and its Millennium Leadership Institute (MLI).

TMCF convened former HBCU presidents and chancellors, advocates, and Members of Congress to focus on not only finding innovative ways to support our schools but also to have a frank and honest conversation about the challenges that we collectively face that make such solutions necessary.

A white paper outlining potential solutions will be released in 2019 offering insights from the Sustainability Summit panelists, which included Representative Mark Walker (R-NC) and HBCU experts and leaders.

Boeing

Boeing made a $6 million investment in the future technical workforce through its partnership with TMCF. The Boeing | TMCF investment funds scholarships, internships, on-campus engagement, and immersive boot camp programs that serve to introduce students to Boeing’s culture and career paths. The eight HBCU priority schools identified by Boeing are:

1. Alabama A&M University
2. Clark Atlanta University
3. Howard University
4. Morgan State University
5. Morehouse College
6. North Carolina A&T State University
7. Spelman College
8. Tuskegee University

“We make investments like this because our most valuable resource is our people, and we’ll succeed only if we can continue to attract forward-thinking innovators.” — Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg, 2018 TMCF CEO of the Year

My school, TMCF, and Boeing all have three things in common — they are focused on success, innovation, and giving back. To be immersed in three institutions that are giving me the skills and opportunities I need to grow and be successful in my engineering dream is invaluable. — Adonis Rucker, North Carolina A&T State University

Honda, North America, Inc.

Honda created an annual scholarship fund for students pursuing an education in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain at HBCUs. The award started with a $25,000 donation to TMCF.

Honda awarded scholarships to five HBCU students in conjunction with its annual scholarship fund and provided students the opportunity to interview for co-op and internship positions at Honda operations. The students receiving TMCF awards through Honda’s support are:

• Richard Asante, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• Dymon Atkison, North Carolina A&T State University
• Michael Caldwell, Tennessee State University
• Marvin Edge, North Carolina A&T State University
• Xavier Leslie, Alabama A&M University

“Honda is pleased to support these impressive students, who we hope will become part of the future of manufacturing in America. This is just the beginning of a wonderful collaboration between Honda and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund that will support deserving students and help increase opportunities in the important field of manufacturing.” — Yvette Hunsicker, Vice President of the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Honda North America, Inc.

Strada Education Network

The Strada Education Network invested $1.8 million in grant funding to TMCF for the creation of the TMCF Fleischer HBCU Scholars Program, which will assist high school students in transitioning successfully through college and into the workforce. The program will be piloted on three campuses: Fayetteville State University, Texas Southern University, and Virginia State University.

“One of Strada’s top philanthropic priorities is to support and scale student success programs that work in preparation to pursuing successful career pathways. We’re honored to partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to build on the impressive success of the Fleischer program and replicate it to benefit thousands more high school students in their transition to attend our country’s leading HBCUs.” — Bill Hansen, President and CEO, Strada Education Network

TMCF 31st Anniversary Awards Gala

TMCF friends, supporters, and partners came together to make a significant investment in our work with a record-breaking fundraising evening. More than $5.6 million was raised at the gala to support TMCF.

The Honorary Congressional Host Committee included the following U.S. Senators: Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Richard Burr (R-NC), Tom Carper (D-DL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), as well as the following U.S. Representatives: Alma Adams (D-NC), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DL), Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Mark Walker (R-NC).

Center for Advancing Opportunity

The Center for Advancing Opportunity (CAO) supports faculty and students at HBCUs and other postsecondary institutions to develop research-based solutions to the most challenging issues in education, criminal justice, and entrepreneurship. CAO’s constituency is people living in fragile communities and they are members of all races, ethnicities, and religions.

CAO Scholarships and Fellowships

Administered through TMCF, CAO granted more than $34,000 in awards to students who applied and were selected for CAO’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship and Doctoral Research Fellowship. The merit-based scholarship is offered to undergraduate applicants obtaining degrees in fields of study related to CAO’s mission of expanding educational, social, and economic opportunities in fragile communities.

Students who received funding attended the following schools:

1. Central State University
2. Florida A&M University
3. Jackson State University
4. Spelman College
5. University of Missouri
6. West Virginia State University

State of Opportunity Report

CAO partnered with Gallup to launch one of the most comprehensive efforts of its kind – a six-month qualitative and quantitative survey of residents in fragile communities in four metropolitan areas: Birmingham, AL; Cleveland, OH; Fresno, CA; and Chicago, IL. Using these insights, Gallup mailed a questionnaire to 28,000 people in urban and rural fragile communities nationwide, with more than 6,230 responding to produce a rich collection of insights on their lives and experiences.

From the survey, CAO produced the inaugural The State of Opportunity in America report. This first-of-its-kind document was created to understand the perceived barriers to opportunity and empower organizations that serve these communities to create evidence-based solutions.

State of Opportunity in America Summit

The gathering of people committed to improving society is one example of TMCF’s service to humanity. It is in this spirit that CAO hosted its first invitation-only State of Opportunity in America Summit, February 5–6.

The Summit convened more than 250 professors, reformers, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, employers, and others committed to advancing opportunity for people living in fragile communities. Guests heard from Nobel Prize winner Sir Angus Deaton. The 2018 Summit is the beginning of what will become an annual event.

• 114 HBCU Professors in attendance
• 31 TMCF member-schools represented
• 13 Non-TMCF members-schools represented
• 44 HBCUs represented overall

“Our partnership with TMCF and its Center for Advancing Opportunity is particularly exciting because it helps to bring important voices into the conversation about how to remove barriers that prevent millions of people in communities across the country from realizing their potential. We’re thrilled to support the world-class faculty and students at TMCF member schools who are doing this important work.” — Brian Hooks, president, Charles Koch Foundation

CAO Centers

The Center for Justice Research

CAO awarded Texas Southern University a $2.6 million grant to launch the Center for Criminal Justice Research (CJR). Since then, the Center has worked to produce innovative solutions to criminal justice reform and address challenges in America’s criminal justice system. Led by Dr. Howard Henderson, CJR’s founding director, it has become an incubator for policy-driven criminal justice research support, increasing the research capacity of HBCU faculty in the field, and training and mentoring graduate students interested in addressing issues surrounding mass incarceration.

Center for Educational Opportunity

CAO awarded Albany State University a $3 million grant to establish the Center for Educational Opportunity (CEO) and research ways families may obtain greater access to high-quality K-12 education. The aim of CEO is to find ways, through research, to discover and uncover educational models, accessibility practices, innovations, and opportunities that can be operationalized, sustained, and shared in communities with the greatest need. CEO is led by Founding Director Dr. Kathaleena Monds.

National Working Groups

In the fall of 2018, CAO held a series of three working group meetings on Criminal Justice Research & Reform, Education Research and Reform, and Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility Research. The two-day invitation-only gathering provided participants from the CAO Summit and others an opportunity to do a deeper dive into issues discussed in the State of Opportunity report and beyond.