NCCU School of Business Insights Magazine 2019-2020

INSIGHTS INSIGHTS

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

2019-2020

1

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MAGAZINE DELIVERING REAL WORLD INSIGHTS TO FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS

FEATURE

NCCU Business Graduates Brace for Pandemic Impact | 10 New Program Focuses on NCCU Student Leaders Teaching Peers about Financial Literacy | 15 NCCU Business Students Takes Top Prize at the 3rd annual HP HBCU Challenge | 23

INSIGHTS

NCCU DEAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS ANTHONY NELSON

22

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

AnthonyNelson N

o one would have expected the academic year of 2019-2020 to conclude amidst a global pandemic and a barrage of social unrest in this country. However, just as those who came before, we are equipped to soar above anything that challenges our progress remembering always the words of our founder, James E. Shepard, “the eagle is no common ordinary barnyard fowl”.

Our students, faculty and staff not only persevered but navigated these challenges masterfully and succeeded in continuing to cultivate a superior environment for learning and growing.

Throughout the year we continued to work with Vines Architecture in the development of new and exciting designs that will go into the new school of business building, still on track for a 2021 groundbreaking. We strengthened our commitment to supporting women in IT by working with Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITMSF) providing mentorship programs and working with the National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT) to ensure we are doing all that we can to be a first choice for women desiring IT education.

In partnership with the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development we launched a peer-to-peer financial literacy program for students. Our Hospitality and

Tourism Administration degree program continued to receive acknowledgement for its stellar online course offerings and our Entrepreneurship focuses centered on the support of student businesses and expanding resources to support their dream through our relationship with the Small Business Technical Development Center (SBTDC).

We witnessed our students and faculty thrive both face to face and virtually in varying and uncertain circumstances. They displayed prominence locally and nationally through case competitions, journal recognitions, student organizations, and community engagement. We also continued to move forward on the production of programs that will further strengthen our academic offerings such as a new Information Technology degree with concentrations in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Information Communications and Technology and an Enhanced Online MBA program with concentrations in Marketing, Data Analytics, and Hospitality and Tourism.

As we conclude the year we know that we enter into uncertain times but can rest comfortably in the fact that regardless of our circumstances our students will continue to thrive, perform and be significant contributors to the global marketplace.

INSIGHTS

Insights is a new School of Business

03

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

04

FACTS AND FIGURES

06

• New MBA Director • New Hospitality and Tourism Administration Chair

magazine that aggregates faculty, student and industry insights gathered throughout the course of the year through programming, outreach,

08 10

NEW APPOINTMENTS BOV MEMBERS

• Introduction of the NCCU Board of Visitors

FEATURE

• NCCU Business Graduates Brace for Pandemic Impact

IN THE NEWS

networking, corporate partnerships, research and industry engagement.

12

• NCCU Examines STEM Influences for Rural Students • ITSMF Pilots Mentorship Program for Female College Students • New Program Focuses on NCCU Student Leaders Teaching Peers about Financial Literacy • Intelligent Recognizes NCCU School of Business Hospitality Management Degree Program in the top 50 • Entrepreneurs Featured in Panel Discussion • NCCU School of Business New Professional Closet

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

19

• NCCU Business has extended its partnership with Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) to create a pipeline for the next generation of business leaders • Innovators Improve Business Systems for Durham Education Initiative

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

21

28

• Student Recognized with National Award for Peer Advocacy • High Achiever Named White House Initiative Scholar • NCCU Business Students Takes Top Prize at the 3rd annual HP HBCU Challenge • Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Inducts Newest Cohort of Business Scholars • NCCU NSHM Chapter Receives National Recognition • NCCU SHRM Chapter wins Superior Merit Award for the Third Consecutive Year

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS ALUMNI NEWS

32

Golden Eagle Brings her Family Back to the Nest Business Alumnus, Nelson Cooper Gives Back Alumnus Thomas A Stith III Leads the NC District of the US Small Business Administration

36

CAREER PLACEMENTS

38

DONORS AND CONTRIBUTORS

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

Insights

3

INSIGHTS

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

4

Facts & Figures 2019-2020 $

Students

943 36

UNDERGRADUATE

GRADUATE

Approximately 943 undergraduate students and 36 graduate students taking business courses.

#3

$70K

North Carolina Central University is #3 on Best hospitality Degrees.com Ranking: Best Online Colleges for a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality.

$70K Scholarships awarded to 49 students

INSIGHTS

5

>150

80%

110%

$300,000

More than 150 students participated in internships at fortune 500 companies

80% job placement for Computer Science and Business and Hospitality students.

110% Increase in donor support

Cybersecurity lab grant

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

500

INSIGHTS

NEW NEWAPPOINTMENTS APOINTMENTS

66

NEW APPOINTMENTS

NCCU’s School of Business Appoints New MBA Director

N

orth Carolina Central University School of Business has appointed Deirdre Guion Peoples, Ph.D., as director of the Master of Business Administration program.

Guion Peoples brings a wealth of knowledge from her experience in corporate branding at General Mills and a history of entrepreneurial activity in full-service marketing and advertising.

A valued member of the School of Business marketing faculty, Guion Peoples has proven to be a great contributor in advancing student excellence. Through her role as MBA director, which started in February 2020, she will also ensure that master’s level students receive a high-quality professional graduate education.

As we strive to fully equip future business leaders with top level skills, the school is also dedicated to:

•

Providing greater financial incentives to attract qualified applicants to our traditional MBA program;

•

Expanding our course offerings with our joint-degree programs with the Schools of Law (JD/MBA) and Library Science (MIS/MBA);

•

Creating Eagle-Enhanced©, an online MBA program that can be completed in as few as 18 months;

•

Developing additional concentrations customized to best serve market demand.

The School of Business is saying goodbye to Sharon White, Ph.D., outgoing MBA director, for her years of service. White, who developed much of the quality programming that set the foundation for graduate education, will remain on the faculty as associate dean for the School of Business.

For more information regarding the NCCU School of Business MBA program, please contact us at 919-530-6405 OR MBA@ NCCU.EDU

INSIGHTS

7

NEW APPOINTMENTS

By Keisha Williams

N

orth Carolina Central University School of Business has appointed Po-Ju Chen, Ph.D., as the Michael P. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Business and chair of the Hospitality and Tourism Administration program.

Chen currently serves as the 2018-2022 co-editor of the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases and as associate editor for the Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science and the Journal of Global Business Insights.

Prior to joining NCCU, Chen served as the associate executive director of Northern Arizona University’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. She is a twotime Fulbright U.S. Scholar and three-time Shanghai Distinguished Foreign Scholar, as well as serving as a visiting scholar for several universities, including Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Duy Tan University.

Chen obtained her bachelor’s degree from Tamkang University and doctoral degree from Penn State University.

Chen’s research interests include marketing and consumer behaviors involving tourism and retail shopping. Her secondary research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability and cross-cultural research.

Her work has earned research awards and academic recognition. Chen has published several articles in leading business, hospitality and tourism-related academic research journals.

North Carolina Central University’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Administration prepares students to become hospitality professionals who possess the knowledge, managerial skills and competencies to obtain roles in various aspects in the global industry. Graduates of the program are employed in lodging, food and beverage service, convention and visitors’ bureaus, event management, resorts, conference centers, cruise lines and airlines.

For more information on the NCCU School of Business, visit WWW.NCCU.EDU/BUSINESS

NEW APPOINTMENTS

NCCU’s School of Business Appoints New Hospitality and Tourism Administration Program Chair

INSIGHTS

BOARD OF VISITORS

8

Introduction of the NCCU Board of Visitors

T

he Board of Visitors is comprised of supportive leaders who exemplify the talent of the alumni, employers and other partners of the School of Business. The members of the Board actively support the mission of the School by Supporting student development and employment through mentoring, networking and identification of suitable career opportunities; Helping secure private resources that are needed to achieve excellence in all of our programs, centers and

functions; Serving as advocates for the School to promote its standing to the business community, alumni, University administration, prospective faculty and students, employers and other stakeholders; and Providing counsel and guidance to the Dean on the formulation and implementation of the School’s strategy.

Please help us in welcome the following BOV members to the NCCU School of Business Family.

BOV Members

Ms. Tonya Holcomb

Mr. Damon Lester

Mr. Ed Loya

Travelers

National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD)

Human Resources Dell Corporate Services

Claims Director

President

Mr. Jeff Mercer

Mr. Damian Mills

Family Fare Service Collaboration & Support Center

Mills Automotive Group Stateline Chrysler Dodge Jeep

Business Consultant

President & CEO

Senior Vice President,

Ms. Erica Parker Vice-President, Small Business Administration Home Trust Bank

INSIGHTS

9

BOARD OF VISITORS

BOV Members

Mr. Cornell Slade Partner

5B Capital LLC

Ms. Tamara L. Terry

Research Survey Scientist and RTI University Collaborations Office Relationship Manager for NCCU

RTI International

Mr. Jason Williamson Vice President

Oracle for Startups

Ms. Michelle Witherspoon

Director of Business Operations, Chief of Staff, Security and Trust Organization

Cisco

Mr. Jody Bagwell Chief Claims Officer

The Redwoods Group

Mr. Jason Golub

VP, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Walker & Dunlop

Ms. Peggy Ward Investment Advisor

New York Life Insurance Company

Ms. Zenaida Wright

Minority Dealer Coordinator, Retail Network Operations and Minority Dealer Operations

Ford Motor Company

Ms. Schwanzetta Williams Director, Talent Acquisition

Smithfield Foods

Ms. Rebekah Ratliff President

Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals

INSIGHTS

10

FEATURE

FEATURE

NCCU Business Graduates Brace for Pandemic Impact

By Keisha Williams Director Marketing/Communication School of Business

T

he academic year of 2019-2020 had a rather unexpected end as May graduates prepared to do something no other graduate from NCCU has done—graduate virtually. As the global pandemic quickly crept into many homes and families the need for conscious and thoughtful adjustments to how we normally conduct this ceremonial occasion had to be quickly implemented.

While the class of 2020 took these adjustments in stride, holding zoom graduation parties and socially distant graduation pictures on an empty campus, thoughts to whether jobs that were secured pre-pandemic were going to continue to be around when they officially graduated. I took a moment to talk with some NCCU graduates and Deborah Brame, the School of Business’s Director of Student Professional Development, to find out how NCCU Business was preparing students for this rather unorthodox journey into their newly acquired careers.

Keisha Williams: Students are about to enter into a rather unorthodox terrain, how do you think they should prepare for these uncertain times?

Deborah Brame: We recognize that students

are entering into the workforce during an economic downturn, and during a time when companies are attempting to adjust and reacclimate their operations to more virtual access to secure employee safety. I think our students are well prepared for these types of conditions. We have focused on building interpersonal capabilities and critical thinking since day one. These are all skillsets that are required in order for students to be adaptable and forward thinking-- all of which are essential at this very moment.

I then took a moment to talk with some recent graduates about their post-graduation ascension into their respective career roles.

INSIGHTS

What does being a 2020 business graduate mean to you?

I’m proud to be a business graduate from the NCCU School of Business! We were the first class to not have a physical graduation and go through a global physical and financial pandemic. That shows grit, ambition, determination, courage, and strength. I’m blessed to have a secure corporate role during these times and I’m thankful for my support system I know I have at NCCU during this new chapter of my journey.

How was your navigation into your corporate role affected by the pandemic?

The navigation into my role has been affected by the pandemic. My site (Chicago) is still shut down and in the red. Learning how to display your brand, network, and connect with people virtually is difficult. You have to over communicate and be concise to be successful.

It’s all an amazing learning experience.

How was the navigation into your corporate role affected by this summer’s social unrest (i.e. black lives matter)?

When I first started my role my team was really focusing on how they could be more inclusive and diverse and I was excited to hit the ground running with helping them accomplish that.

How do you think the business world will shift after this period in history?

I think the business world will shift by being more open to having uncomfortable conversations and recognizing when something is offensive/not inclusive. There is still a lot more work to be done.

How can students be better prepared to be even more agile that usual to an ever changing environment?

You have to be very flexible & agile. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Learn how to pivot and adjust quickly. Remember to find balance and protect your mental health.

Also, SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

Name Theo Tagoe Major : Business Administration (Finance) Company: Citi Role: Corporate FX Sales & Trading Analyst How was your navigation into your corporate role affected by the pandemic?

I was blessed to have secured my full-time offer before graduation in 2020. You always want to be strategic about recruiting and make sure you prepare. Have as many mock interviews as you can.

How was the navigation into your corporate role affected by this summer’s social unrest (i.e. black lives matter)?

Citi has been very proactive in helping with social unrest. We are having active conversations about racial injustice and our role in being a solution to this issues.

Managers and other leaders are encouraging it in the right way.

How do you think the business world will shift after this period in history?

Hopefully, the business world will take the efforts they put into helping their black employees and build on it. The efforts shown shouldn’t just be for this period of time.

How can students be better prepared to be even more agile that usual to an ever-changing environment? The world is changing every single day.

As students, you have to learn to change with it. And that’s the only way you can be competitive. You always have to do more.

While Taylor and Theo entered into an unexpected corporate environment postgraduation they were well prepared and have taken these experiences in stride believing the best is yet to come. In the words of Mrs. Brame, “Covid may slow us down but NCCU Business Eagles will continue to soar”.

FEATURE

Name: Taylor Ford Major: Business Administration Concentration Entrepreneurship Company: JP Morgan Chase & Co Role: CIB Merchant Service Product Strategy Analyst

11

INSIGHTS

12

IN THE NEWS

In the News

IN THE NEWS

NCCU Examines STEM Influences for Rural Students

By Quiana Shepard

R

esearchers at North Carolina Central University received a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate the STEM-skills gap that exists between rural high school students and their more urban counterparts.

Residents of rural communities, especially students of color, are less likely than students on average to seek out STEM-based coursework and degrees, contributing to a lack of diversity in STEM fields, said Cherise Harrington, PhD, MPH, who is an associate professor of Health Education at NCCU. Harrington is the principal investigator on a multidisciplinary team of researchers working on the three-year project, including representatives from the departments of Psychology, Computer Science, Business and Social Work.

“To better understand the lower STEM-based recruitment and retention in this group, we are, one, investigating the exposure to and quality of STEM-based education during the secondary education years; two, examining facilitators and barriers impacting student recruitment in STEM subjects; and three, assessing relevant social determinants,” Harrington said.

“The results will help us gain an understanding of the factors behind the lower recruitment and attainment and identify areas to leverage to improve outcomes.”

A community-based research approach will help investigators identify the key factors influencing persistence and success in STEM education, said Donna M. Grant, PhD, who is chair of the Computer Science and Business program in the School of Business and a coprincipal investigator on the project.

“Our team has 70-plus combined years of addressing health and social disparities,” Grant added.

The two-phase project will start with interviews, focus groups, and surveys with key stakeholders, including our target group to gather information about the facilitators and barriers to STEM advancement, Harrington said. A second phase will involve a pilot study to gauge the effectiveness of GO STEM (Gaining Opportunities in STEM), a program designed to recruit more minority students onto STEM-based degree tracks.

North Carolina has approximately 570,000 students attending schools in rural communities – about 40% of the state’s school-age population, according a 2019 report by the Public School Forum of N.C. Nationwide, about 20% students live and attend school in rural areas.

INSIGHTS

13

IN THE NEWS

IN THE NEWS

ITSMF Pilots Mentorship Program for Female College Students Amanda P. White Marketing Manager, ITSMF

ATLANTA, OCTOBER 1, 2019 – Information

Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) is pleased to announce the launch of the pilot EMERGE Mentorship Program. The pilot will run from September 2019 to May 2020 with six participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and an experienced pool of mentors who are leaders within the technology industry.

This one-year mentoring program is designed to support and retain black women in STEM majors. Research and data substantiate the unbalanced representation of women in STEM fields due to a number of societal, psychological, and economic factors which result in high attrition rates—the leaky pipeline. Lack of belonging induced by previous exposure to unconscious bias and stereotypes foster an exclusive environment, underperformance and, subsequently,

diminished interest in these fields. To combat this, the EMERGE Mentorship Program consists of three components: 1:1 mentoring with industry leaders, virtual learning sessions, and organized peer engagement.

“Our community of leaders has committed to partnering with and caring for these promising students to ensure that each one of them is equipped to add value and, ultimately, lead in the STEM space,” said Elizabeth Agosto, Director and Global Chief Operating Officer, Information Security Division at BNY Mellon. “This program takes mentorship to another level. And if these young women own this experience—really take it seriously—and nurture these relationships, they will not only have a good mentor, but will have earned themselves a sponsor who will extend their personal capital to them when it matters most.”

INSIGHTS

IN THE NEWS

14

After the successful 3-month proof of concept developed and implemented for the ITSMF EMERGE Academy capstone project in 2018, this year-long pilot is the next step in helping to bridge the gender diversity gap in STEM fields. 25 female students from the following schools are participating in this pilot: Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Howard University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, South Carolina State University.

Donna M. Grant, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Business; Computer Information Systems (CIS) Department Chair; and Computer Science and Business (CSB) Program Coordinator at North Carolina Central University, believes that the EMERGE Mentorship Program benefits are multifold. “I anticipate that our students will gain a sense of reality of what it’s like to be a female Information Technology professional in an industry that is currently dominated by men. I want them to learn strategies on how to successfully navigate through corporate political environments. This mentoring experience should

supplement the students’ book knowledge from the university with real-world practical knowledge gained in Corporate America.”

ABOUT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SENIOR MANAGEMENT FORUM Since 1996, Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) has been dedicated to increasing the representation of black professionals at senior levels in technology, to impact organizational innovation and growth.

We do this by developing and nurturing these dynamic leaders through enrichment of the mind, body, and soul. At its inception, only 3% of seniorlevel positions in the technology industry were held by blacks. With 1.2M computer-related job openings expected by 2022, ITSMF is committed to increasing the number of qualified black professionals for these positions.

For more information about ITSMF, VISIT WWW.ITSMFONLINE.ORG.

INSIGHTS

15

IN THE NEWS

IN THE NEWS

New Program Focuses on NCCU Student Leaders Teaching Peers about Financial Literacy

By Keisha Williams

N

orth Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) School of Business has partnered with the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development to launch an innovative peer-to-peer financial literacy program for students.

The Ambassador Program engages students at NCCU and 11 other universities in efforts to promote and teach financial literacy on campus. The program is funded by Wells Fargo Hands-on Banking on behalf of the nonprofit financial education society.

Initially chosen to serve as peer ambassadors at NCCU were four business administration students: Danielle Newton, Ambrose Bond, Khalil Woods and Theo Tagoe.

The ambassadors will be overseen by Finance Professor Kofi Amoateng, Ph.D., who, along with other members of the faculty, will teach them to implement industry-relevant lesson plans, refine their leadership skills and serve financial-literacy champions on campus.

Among workshops to be offered through the program include credit management, student loan management, budgeting, saving and investing, and financial goal-setting. A recent study by AIG

Retirement Services reports only 35% of college students take a personal finance course in high school.

“Today’s high-school students and incoming college freshmen are bombarded with financial information that can seem overwhelming,” student ambassador Bond said. “This program will provide students with pertinent information needed to survive in today’s globalized world.”

For the past 20 years, the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, based in Alexandria, Virginia, has worked to enhance financial and economic literacy in the United States, providing provided financial literacy training workshops to thousands of individuals and college students, with a focus on underserved communities.

“In today’s society, financial literacy is one of the most important tools to have in your arsenal,”

said student ambassador Khalil Woods. “This initiative will provide key financial literacy to help prepare individuals for the real world.”

INSIGHTS

IN THE NEWS

16

IN THE NEWS

Intelligent Recognizes NCCU School of Business Hospitality Management Degree Program in the Top 50 CONTACT: ERICA FAGIEN [SEATTLE, WASHINGTON] – North Carolina Central University has been

awarded top ranking status for multiple degree programs by Intelligent.com. North Carolina Central University was listed amongst hundreds of other competing institutions across the nation. The studentfocused comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,604 accredited colleges and universities. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and postgraduate employment.

The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment, and leading third-party evaluations.

Intelligent.com analyzed hundreds of schools

with comparable programs on a scale of 0 to 100, with North Carolina Central University making it to the final list for 4 Degree Programs. The methodology uses an algorithm that collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each university’s degree program. Hospitality Management Degree Programs Ranked #48in this assessment along with Criminal Justice Degree Programs| Ranked #38 Master’s in Library Science Degree Programs| Ranked #4 and Counseling Degree Programs| Ranked #42 https://www.intelligent.com/best-onlinehospitality-management-degree-programs/

INSIGHTS

Entrepreneurs Featured in Panel Discussion

By Keisha Williams

T

he spirit of entrepreneurship once again descended upon the campus of North Carolina Central University on November 20, 2019, for the second annual “How I Started My Business” panel discussion. As with last year’s inaugural installment of the series, students were privy to first-hand insight regarding life as an entrepreneur. As diverse as the panelists were in industry and interest, it was their shared experiences as African American entrepreneurs fulfilling their passions and aspirations that spoke volumes to the budding student entrepreneurs.

The discussion was moderated by Geoff Durham, president and CEO of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. He facilitated a 60-minute discussion with five entrepreneurs: Michael J. Bohannon, NCCU alumnus and president of Bovanti International; Cheryl Brown, owner and operator of Pattie C. Brown Enterprises; Amos Cooper Jr., CEO of Bull City Butler; Karen Levert, CEO of AG Techinventures; and double Eagle Lisa Smallwood Howell, CEO of Spoke-4 Communications, LCC. The panelists shared their insight regarding the opportunities, challenges and benefits of

running their own businesses, including being your own boss and having a flexible schedule.

However, they all referenced the high intensity of work that goes into establishing a business, which oftentimes includes working very hard and being available to your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Karen Levert recognized that even the most impassioned entrepreneurial student may choose to work in a corporate setting after they graduate, which in her words “is super because what you learn working in a larger organization, including their processes and structural operations, are all the things you need to be successful in your own business.”

In response to a question asked by Taylor Ford, a senior Business Administration Finance student, regarding building a level of trust and respect in the industry to maximize your product or services, Michael Bohannon explained the importance of working collectively with other business owners to get ahead. “If there is a beauty shop that already exists and could have products complementary to yours, it may make more sense to put your business beside it and work together to build your brand collectively so that you may leverage each other and crosspromote.”

All in all, the panelist presented thoughtful examples of real-world experiences, along with great tips and tools for building businesses. They all recognized the value of building upon the educational foundation set forth through the students’ collegiate coursework and taking full advantage of the rich network that has been cultivated at NCCU to grow and sustain their business aspirations.

IN THE NEWS

IN THE NEWS

17

INSIGHTS

18

IN THE NEWS

IN THE NEWS

NCCU School of Business Office of Student Professional Development and Career Management Opens Career Closet for Business Students

By Keisha Williams

NCCU School of Business, along corporate partner, Dell, developed a career closet to support the needs of business students in Fall of 2019. “Looking your best so you can feel your best is critical to landing any job you seek, said Mrs. Deborah Brame, Director of Student Professional Development and Career Management in the School of Business, “We teach our students through professional development courses that preparedness not only incorporates having an innate knowledge of a corporation’s practices, but is also being aware of interpersonal attributes and unspoken cues that can either encourage or discourage further pursuit of that hiring manager from offering you the job.”

Job search online portals from Indeed to LinkedIn discuss the importance of having appropriate attire for an interview and its ability to spur the confidence of the interviewee and allow the interviewer to know that you are serious about the opportunity.

“Dell has been a valued partner to the School

of Business in a variety of ways,” said Dr. Anthony Nelson, Dean NCCU School of Business, “not only are they represented as members of our Board of Visitors, but they have on several occasions extended their support by way of classroom visits and networking opportunities.”

Along with Dell’s contribution to the closet, Verizon, Eagleland, and other private sponsors contributed to the closet by way of suit donations.

In order for students to be granted the opportunity to visit the closet they must be actively searching for employment opportunities and engaging in School of Business career networking events. The unfortunate Covid-19 pause has impeded the grand opening of the closet, but as soon as students return back to campus the Student Professional Development and Career Management team look forward to welcoming them to take advantage of these resources.

19

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

NCCU Expands Partnership with Durham Tech for Business Administration Education

N

orth Carolina Central University (NCCU) has extended its partnership with Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) to create a pipeline for the next generation of business leaders.

NCCU will welcome students with an associate’s degree from the Durham Tech’s business administration program into upperlevel courses for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This agreement provides a seamless transition from community college into the NCCU School of Business and a chance to complete a B.S. in two years.

“Partnering with Durham Tech is of great importance to growth producing successful business leaders. Durham Tech graduates bring an added value to our business school community. This agreement is essential to cultivating a seamless pipeline leading to a business administration bachelor’s degree.”

Angela Miles, Ph.D., chair of NCCU Business Administration Department.

NCCU will grant full academic credit for approximately 60 hours of courses earned through Durham Tech’s Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration program,

as well as provide support services and access to NCCU resources.

With over 200 companies in the Research Triangle Park, a continuously growing job market has increased demand for marketready employees.

NCCU and Durham Tech currently have another existing partnership leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Administration.

“This collaboration is specifically designed to assist our graduates in having a smooth transition with no credit loss to pursue a bachelor’s degree”, said LaTonya Steele, Ph.D., director of Durham Tech’s Business Administration Program. “We are excited to recognize this agreement in promotion of both schools’ collective student success goals.”

NCCU and Durham Tech collaborate on residential, dual-enrollment and transfer admissions. Through several articulation agreements, combined programs of study include nursing, accounting, criminal justice, public administration and biology with a concentration in pharmaceutical science.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Community Partnerships

INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

20

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Innovators Improve Business Systems for Durham Education Initiative A

call from the director of Crayons2Calculators (C2C) prompted students in Dr. Henry McKoy’s entrepreneurship course to devise upgrades for an inventory system.

For the past 13 years, C2C has supported the educational and creative needs of teachers and students in the Durham Public School System by maintaining free and unrestricted access to a warehouse filled with muchneeded classroom supplies. The supplies are donated by a number of local public and private agency sources in the Triangle, as well as individual gifts and grants.

NCCU alumna Dr. Eunice O’Neal Sanders (’77,’82,’94), a retired Durham Public Schools administrator, is co-director of Crayons2Calculators and understands the

need for a strong inventory system so she called on NCCU students specializing in entrepreneurship to analyze the situation.

Their task was to reduce the time it takes to count and enter items into the warehouse database, improve accuracy and accountability, and streamline the inventory system technology.

“As a Triple Eagle, I enjoy finding ways to give back and be a resource to my alma mater,” Dr. Sanders said. “Having the opportunity to work with NCCU business students on a project that could challenge their problemsolving capabilities and creativity was most appreciated. The students answered the charge with excellence, and we now have a system in place that provides us with the level of efficiency we require.”

INSIGHTS

21

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Student Recognized with National Award for Peer Advocacy

Student Highlights

Story by: Jasmine Hall NCCU Office of Communications and Marketing Intern

F

or business administration major Hollan Strepay, service is embedded in his character. His desire to help others has been acknowledged by the Campus Compact, a Boston-based nonprofit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

Strepay is among the 262 students from across the nation that make up the organization’s 2019-2020 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.

The Cary, N.C., native interests include entrepreneurship and student advocacy. Currently, he is actively addressing the digital divide for fellow students.

Strepay, a second-year student, strives to shorten the digital divide though his initiative Assisting Student Success in Supplying Technology (ASSIST), a technology inclusion program that provides laptops to students to enhance academic success. Thanks to financial support from North Carolina Central University’s Provost Office, Information Technology Services and University College,

students were presented with 13 new Dell 2-in-1 laptops.

Strepay’s overall goal is to provide all first-year students with laptops to aid their pursuit of academic achievement.

United States Senate. The fellowship also provides participants with access to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

My passion for equity and justice flourished when I entered NCCU, student success has always been at the top of my priorities and my involvement in student government allows me to have a platform to address students’ struggles.

“We are proud to recognize each of these extraordinary student leaders and thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with them,” said Campus Compact President Andrew Seligsohn.

The Newman Civic Fellowship, named for Campus Compact co-founder Frank Newman, is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional and civic growth for students who have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and an investment in solving public problems.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the

“The stories of this year’s Newman Civic Fellows make clear that they are committed to finding solutions to pressing problems in their communities and beyond. That is what Campus Compact is about, and it’s what our country and our world desperately need.”

The Newman Civic Fellowship is supported by the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.

Learn more at COMPACT.ORG/NEWMANCIVIC-FELLOWSHIP.

INSIGHTS

22

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

High Achiever Named White House Initiative Scholar

N

orth Carolina Central University (NCCU) junior business major Zaniya Caine has been named as a 2020 HBCU Competitiveness Scholar by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), a program that recognizes outstanding student performance in higher education.

Caine is among 44 students selected based on high achievement in academics, campus involvement, entrepreneurial ethos and civic engagement. To be considered for the honor, students must submit their college transcripts, résumés, an essay and letters of recommendation.

“Zaniya is an honor student with a razor focus for enhancing the community and her selection as an HBCU Competitiveness Scholar is an acknowledgment of her commitment to success,” said Ontario Wooden, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for Student Success and Academic Outreach.

In 2019, Caine started classes at NCCU as a third-year undergraduate after earning course credits at Nash Community College.

She is currently spending her summer break with Nash County Government as an administration/grants, intergovernmental relations intern. Upon returning to campus in the fall, she will also volunteer with the Nash General Hospital as a finance intern.

The initiative will work closely with federal and non-federal partners to develop a robust calendar of virtual events for scholars that will explore, exchange ideas and share best practices around leadership, professional

development, career pathways, government resources among others.

Plans are currently underway for virtual event and campaign to acknowledge scholars during the 2020 Virtual HBCU Week Conference. During the event, scholars will participate in workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills. Over the course of the next year, Caine will also take part in other initiatives to enhance professional development in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” said Caine.

“NCCU has prepared me for this honor by effectively allowing me to develop and employ my leadership skills.”

The Battleboro, N.C., native has been involved with several student organizations, including the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, University Honors Program and the School of Business Student Advisory Council. She also served as a scholar for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program.

Caine has also contributed greatly to the NCCU community through her work as a liaison for the LGBTQ Center and writing consultant for the university’s writing center.

She plans to work as a financial advisor or budget analysis after graduation.

INSIGHTS

23

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

NCCU Business Students Takes Top Prize at the 3rd annual HP HBCU Challenge NCCU Business students captured a 1st place win at the 3rd annual Hewlett Packard (HP) HBCU Challenge.

As HP Inc continues to forge a way for the next generation of talent to emerge, over 30 HBCUs from across the country were brought together in a competitive match that tested students’ business acumen, technical aptitude, research capabilities, and problem-solving skills.

DURHAM, NC | NOVEMBER 21, 2019

NCCU students, Ambrose Bond, Political Science and Finance major, Jacobia Johnson, Computer Science and Business major, Daniel Barbare, Chemistry major, and Hadeer Salem, Management major, masterfully tackled a live case study presented by HP, Inc concerning a highly competitive and relevant gaming chair innovation and its positionality in a growing industry.

With guidance from their team advisor, Business Communications instructor Laura Graham of North

Carolina Central’s School of Business, the team of students honed their idea from a notebook sketch to a business plan they could take to market.

“Watching the students learn how to turn a good idea into a viable business proposal has been inspiring,” Graham says. “You see that reflected in our team, where we have STEM, Management and Finance majors, Division I student athletes, honors students, and students with internships all working together and using all their academic and life skills to help solve a business problem.”

The students recognized the challenge set before them, “our approach to the competition evolved in many ways throughout our engagement, said Ambrose Bond, “once we recognized the value of utilizing our respective skillsets and interests, we were able to provide a uniquely diverse and expansive solution to HP’s pre-described issue.”

“We could see applicability for simulations

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

24

INSIGHTS

and training and even a more immersive experience in an office environment for this kind of technology,” said Hadeer Salem.

The students’ respective disciplines range from management to finance to chemistry, all blending into the perfect accumulation of technical and practical application.

“Usually, when you do group projects everyone comes from the same background,” says Daniel Barbare, a chemistry major who brought his knowledge of materials science to the winning team. “We had a lot of diversity so it helped give us an edge.”

“Anytime our students are able to engage with executives from major organizations like HP, it offers such a rich opportunity for them to gain experiential insight and valued exposure to real time challenges”, said Dr. Anthony Nelson, Dean School of Business. “I am so proud that our student team was recognized for their

hard work and the innovative solutions they presented to HP. We are grateful to the Deans roundtable for their partnership with HP and their commitment to bringing this kind of experience to students from HBCUs across the country.”

As echoed by the sentiments of the all of the team members, Jacobia Johnson, declared her pride in being a part of such a focused and dedicated group who came together to produce an award-winning solution, “even though we all kept incredibly busy schedules, our team was so cohesive and really put the needs of the overall goal of the project as a priority and consequently saw victorious results.”

INSIGHTS

25

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

T

he North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Business has welcomed 27 business scholars into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society on March 1, 2020.

Founded in 1913, the honor society is the highest recognition a business student can receive from an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.

Eligible students represent the top 10% of undergraduate students and the top 20% of graduate students at AACSB-accredited schools. The premier association accredits only 5% of business schools worldwide. The NCCU School of Business originally received accreditation in 2006.

NCCU’s chapter president Taylor Ford enjoys the network building aspect offered through membership.

“Beta Gamma Sigma impacted my undergraduate career tremendously,” said Ford. “The connections and relationships I have built through the affiliation of Beta Gamma Sigma is something that I will always cherish.”

Members are offered various networking and leadership opportunities including: conferences, workshops to strengthen interpersonal skills, exclusive scholarships, graduate application fee waivers and discounts to designated retailers.

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Inducts Newest Cohort of Business Scholars The association’s value is not lost upon its members including NCCU’s chapter vice-president, Hollan Strepay.

“Being a member of Beta Gamma Sigma is an honor that comes with great responsibilities,” said Strepay. “I am proud to be a part of an organization that serves as a connector of both educational and professional opportunities.”

The 2019-2020 inductees possess the scholarly requirements and commitment to education that the association so richly represents. Three School of Business professors are also included among its news members.

INDUCTEES INCLUDE: Alisha Malloy, Ph.D. Kayvan Lavassani, Ph.D. Raghavan Iyengar, Ph.D. Celinda Bailey Stacey Biles Malcolm T. Brown Brian Bullock Mauricio Cabrera

Miguel Campos Umana Lakeisha Crews Tierra Ferebee Jared Garland Zafira Harris Russell Henry Jurasia Horvat Moziqe Howard

Kiara Hurley Rodney Jeffreys Viridiana Jimenez Diaz Jacobia Johnson Christopher Krennrich Caleb McRoy Pablo Moya Tanea Norton

Azianna Simmons ShaNiyah Spencer Amiah Taliaferro Sativa Temple Anita Torres-Nunez Aaron Totten Alleya Williams

INSIGHTS

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

26

Back Row: Navarone Brown, Tasheed Winston, Quameer Archy, Kedric Jones, Harold Ragland Front: Nigel Griffin

KeShauna Holloway and Interim Chair, Dr. Beverly Bryant

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

NCCU NSMH Chapter Receives National Recognition

T

he National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) is a non-profit organization founded in 1989, to educate, encourage, and empower minority students interested in pursuing hospitality careers.

With well over 50 chapters worldwide, the organization is committed to providing resources, tools, and information to assist students in their endeavors to succeed in the hospitality industry as well as to work closely with industry partners in developing diverse, inclusive, and supportive environments.

North Carolina Central University’s National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH)

members attended the NSMH 31st Annual National Conference & Career Fair in Houston, Texas from February 23rd thru February 26th.

The theme for the conference was “Visioning a New Beginning”.

Students was afforded the opportunity to participate in Resume Ready Room, Career Fair and Onsite Interviews with prominent partners in the hospitality industry.

KeShauna Holloway, a junior HADM major was awarded $1000 scholarship from Compass Group.

INSIGHTS

27

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

DURHAM, NC, JUNE 15, 2019 | The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has awarded the 2018-2019 Superior Merit Award to North Carolina Central University SHRM student chapter for providing superior growth and development opportunities to its student chapter members.

The SHRM student chapter merit award program, which began in 1972, was created to encourage student chapters to require ongoing excellence in the following areas: student chapter requirements, chapter operations, chapter programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession, and SHRM engagement. Led by a group of dedicated students and advisor, Dr. Angela Miles, Chair, Business Administration, the chapter held regular meetings that included HR leaders, workshops, and professional development opportunities.

“Our SHRM student leaders engaged in internships, professional conferences and delivered exceptional programming that accelerated their development. This achievement celebrates their excitement and dedication to the profession,” said Dr. Miles, “we are honored by this recognition.”

“SHRM allowed me to gain real world insight into the Human Resource industry, solidifying my intents to have a career in that field”, said Courtney Price, 2018-2019 Vice-President of NCCU Chapter of SHRM “The organization provided me with a network of people who

are poised to help me continue to grow and develop as a professional.”

“SHRM is committed to engaging the future leaders of the HR profession—HR and Business students. As we work to shape better workplaces—where employers and employees can thrive together—we are energized by the work our student chapters are doing to encourage students to choose HR as a career path,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, president and chief executive officer of SHRM. “Awarding this Superior Merit Award designation is just one small way for SHRM to recognize and celebrate the big steps the North Carolina Central University SHRM student chapter has taken this past academic year.”

ABOUT THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM. For more information about SHRM PLEASE VISIT HTTPS://WWW.SHRM.ORG/.

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

NCCU SHRM Chapter wins Superior Merit Award for the Third Consecutive Year

INSIGHTS

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS

Faculty Publications

28

N

CCU business professors, Drs. Erastus Karanja, Aditya Sharma, and Ibrahim Salama co-authored an article for Scientometrics, “What does MIS survey research reveal about diversity and representatives in the MIS field? A content analysis approach” (a top tier academic publication). The objective of this study is to investigate the extent to which survey-based research articles reflect diversity in MIS research and to evaluate representativeness in journals in the MIS field.

Atty Barry Shuster, business instructor, is the co-investigator on the manuscript, “New Classification System for the U.S. Restaurant Industry: Application of Hedonic and Utilitarian Continuum Model.” The manuscript has been accepted for publication to the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, which is a top tier academic publication.

INSIGHTS

“Evaluating LearnerCenteredness Course Pedagogy in Project Management Syllabi Using a Content Analysis Approach” ERASTUS KARANJA, DONNA M GRANT

Journal of Information Systems Education 6/4/2020

FACULTY PUBLICATION GRANT TITLE:

“Global Supply Chain of Medical Equipment: Vulnerability Assessment, Emergency Response Tool, and Financial Impact Analysis” DR. KAYVAN MIRI LAVASSANI (PI) & DR. RAJ IYENGAR (CO-PI)

Advanced Center for COVID-19 Related Disparities 2020

P

roject Management (PM) capability continues to be a highly desired skill set in many for-profit and not-for-profit organizations across a range of industries. However, the PM field faces a talent gap, and one approach that may increase the interest in PM education is having a learner-centered pedagogy. A learner-centered pedagogy seeks to create a community of learners through the implementation of several initiatives namely, sharing power between the teachers and the students, providing multiple assessments and evaluation avenues, specifying clear feedback mechanisms, and articulating a rationale for the course by tying the course content to the learning outcomes. The goal of this research is to conduct a descriptive content analysis to examine the nature and content of the PM syllabi to gain a better understanding of how they reflect and communicate the attributes

T

his grant provides an opportunity for the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Business Ecosystem Lab (IEBE Lab), to lead a team of researchers from North Carolina Central University, Arizona State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill to conduct a large scale study on the global supply chain of medical equipment. Dr. Kayvan Miri Lavassani, Director of the IEBE Lab noted that “motivated by

of a learner-centered pedagogy and thus help in improving the learning, teaching, and delivery of the PM curriculum. This study makes use of a sample of 76 PM syllabi gathered in 2018 from instructors affiliated with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) schools in the United States. The results have implications for the academy and the PM practice and call for improvements in the design and content of PM syllabi by including language and activities that foster the creation of a community of learners, mechanisms for offering periodic feedback, and consistent teacher-student interactions.

Furthermore, it is suggested that the assessments and evaluations should be tied to the learning outcomes and incorporate “real world” experiential projects.

the effects of COVID-19 on global supply chains and operations, our IEBE Lab will utilize various data mining, big data analytics, and network science techniques to explore the financial and operational effects of the network structure and interruptions on the global supply chain of medical equipment”.

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS

FACULTY PUBLICATION

29

INSIGHTS

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS

30

FACULTY PUBLICATION

“Addressing food waste: How to position upcycled foods to different generations” HAEYOUNG JEONG

Journal of Consumer Behaviour 01 July 2020

FACULTY PUBLICATION

“The Role of the Top Management Team in Understanding the Innovation Capacity and Sustainability of Family Firms” STEVEN W. DAY

Journal of US-China Public Administration June 2020

F

ood waste is a global crisis that paradoxically exists alongside food scarcity. A promising solution to these connected problems of food insecurity and food waste is upcycled foods. Upcycled foods are made from ingredients that are usable but generally discarded. While upcycled foods can help reduce food waste, little is known about the best market strategy for these foods.

This research investigates

T

heoretically framed by upper echelons theory, this paper aims to synthesize the current knowledge on top managers in family firms and to suggest valuable future research avenues.

The purpose is to investigate the relationship between family firms, innovation capacity.

This study will examine how innovation capacity is affected by family involvement and other characteristics of the top management teams (TMTs) of family firms. This article examines the management characteristics in a family firm and their affect on the innovation and sustainability of the firm.

Familiness is examined to provide further insights and measures of top management teams (TMTs) in explaining the firm’s capacity to innovate. Things like family Involvement, size, and age of the firm along with other TMT demographics are

how consumers from different generations perceive upcycled foods. Our findings show that Gen Z, Gen Y, and Baby Boomers have higher intentions to purchase upcycled foods while Gen X shows lower intentions to purchase because of quality concerns. The present research also explores lifestyle patterns of each generation. Based on lifestyle analyses, positioning strategies for upcycled foods are proposed.

investigated. . To understand innovation in family-owned businesses, the focus will be on the capacity including innovative activities such as research and development, number of patents, and new product development.

Specifically, this research will investigate the significance of innovation management and how it is influenced by the TMT characteristics of family firms.

This work contributes to the field by developing a better understanding of innovation and sustainable competitive advantage within family firms.

This paper will advance the research on strategic innovation in a family firm as well as shed light on the failure of innovation management literature to recognize the importance and deliberately integrate family firms into the literature.

INSIGHTS

“The Africa Café: A case study on the success factors associated with sustainable entrepreneurship in South Africa” STEVEN W. DAY

International Journal of Business Research March 2020

FACULTY PUBLICATION

“From High-Touch to High-Tech: COVID-19 Drives Robotics Adoption” PO-JU CHEN

Tourism Geographies May 2020 (Online - Early Access )

T

his study describes the case study of a Black South African sustainable entrepreneur who formed a new venture in Cape Town after the Apartheid. The purpose of this article is to further investigate entrepreneurial activities in South Africa. It is often presumed that the black population of South Africa has a low participation rate in entrepreneurial activities and a low level of ambitions regarding self-employment. This study examines a case of how the South African Tourism and Hospitality industry cultivated an entrepreneur and a small successful restaurant by the name of Africa Café. Although the founder was a black South African and had to overcome racism and adversity associated with the Apartheid era, he still managed to grow a successful business that continues to expand operation today. This

W

hile controversial in the past due to concerns over job losses and data privacy, the adoption of robotics and artificial intelligence in travel and tourism will likely continue after the COVID-19 pandemic becomes less serious. Business practitioners and scholars are to seize this opportunity to develop robotic applications that enhance

paper presents the accounts of the successful entrepreneur, Mr. Hector Mbay and the strategy he used in developing a sustainable small business in Cape Town, South Africa. The data collection in this study involved administering inductive interviews and analyzing the information after. The interviews were conducted with the owner Mr. Hector Mbay. He was chosen because of his direct and hands on experience with the sustainable development of the Africa Cafe. The examination of this particular individual and his unique business model is essential because it further substantiates previous research undertaken in other contexts and paradigms on the components of sustainable entrepreneurship.

The purpose of this paper is to review and extend the current literature by further developing an integrated model of sustainable entrepreneurship.

consumer experiences, the protection of natural and cultural resources, citizen participation in tourism development decision making, and the emergence of new ‘high-touch’ employment opportunities for travel, tourism and hospitality workers.

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS

FACULTY PUBLICATION

31

INSIGHTS

ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni News

32

ALUMNI NEWS

Golden Eagle Brings Her Family Back to the Nest

A

s NCCU Homecoming 2019 came to an end, the School of Business welcomed a “golden eagle breeze” when Joan ClaytonDavis graced the halls of CT Willis on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, presumably returning with the same spirit of hope and ambition she embodied as a budding 1969 business school graduate. As the daughter of a farmer in Person County, she and her siblings grew up—like most African American children during that time—humbly, surrounded by a lot of love and family. They lived on a family farm, fulfilling the daily obligations of farm living but still aspiring to grow and sustain their family’s land.

Born into slavery in 1862, Mrs. ClaytonDavis’s grandfather, Monroe Clayton Sr., purchased the original 200 acres of what is now known as Monroe Clayton Sr. Farm in 1913 at the age of 51. He purchased over 290 acres of farmland and quickly learned the value of agricultural sustainability. He

was able to cultivate a business enterprise and develop the means for his family to live and prosper, despite the many obstacles that threatened to deprive him of his rightfully acquired possessions. From 1980 to 2017, the farm was under the management of Mrs. Clayton Davis’s brother Burley M. Clayton, NCCU alumnus, until his death in 2017.

The NCCU footprint runs mightily throughout the lineage of the Clayton family. Mrs. Clayton-Davis, her sister-in-law Joyce Daye Clayton, and her nephew Lucious Clayton led a captive audience of School of Business students in a riveting discussion regarding their NCCU experience, the legacy of their rich family heritage and the recent Century Farm Award presented to her grandfather’s farm, which she, her sister-in-law and oldest brother, Larry Clayton, now manage.

Lucious, a 2014 NCCU alumnus, volunteers his technology skills and lends a helping hand to the team. Still a working land, the farm

INSIGHTS

Imparting words of wisdom to the business undergraduates, Mrs. Clayton-Davis encouraged them to, “Take full advantage of all you are learning here at North Carolina Central University School of Business.

There hasn’t been a time in my life that I haven’t utilized some of the knowledge I acquired through my coursework in my daily interactions.” Joyce Daye Clayton stressed the importance of developing and nurturing relations on campus and beyond that can be useful in personal and professional development. For example, her husband, Burley, utilized the services of many of his trusted and resourceful classmates from NCCU and those he worked with professionally as he managed the farm.

Lucious Clayton challenged the students to appreciate the professors and staff at NCCU, especially those in the School of Business. He stated that “they are knowledgeable, second to none, care deeply about student wellbeing, and demand excellence.”

A Century or Centennial Farm is a farm or ranch in the United States or Canada that has been officially recognized as being owned by a single family for 100 or more years. “Our grandfather established the farm so that our family could be self-sufficient and create opportunities for the community,” says Mrs. Clayton-Davis, and “he promoted education, hard work, and civic engagement of African Americans and wanted to see all reach their full potential.”

“Hearing the story of Mrs. Clayton-Davis and her family’s rich and sustaining history is quite inspirational,” said NCCU senior Destiny Floyd. “As I approach my impending graduation, I am even prouder to be associated with an institution that developed individuals like those in the Clayton family.”

Many members of the Monroe Clayton Sr. family have attended NCCU, where the principles of civic engagement and entrepreneurship are woven throughout the curriculum. There are several generations of NCCU graduates in Mrs. Clayton-Davis’s family. Her sister, Dr. Linda Ann Clayton, graduated from NCCU and became the first fully trained African American female surgical gynecologic oncologist in the United States.

She received an honorary doctorate from NCCU in 2005 for her work and publications in medicine, health disparities and public health.

Her brother, Burley M. Clayton, attended NCCU’s School of Business after the Vietnam War, received his BSC and then his MBA, and became the first African American purchasing director in Durham County. He married Joyce Daye Clayton, BA and MA in History, and their son, Lucious, graduated in 2014 with a degree in Computer Information Systems and provides assistance as needed.

Other family members who are NCCU graduates include Attorney T. T. Clayton and his wife, Congresswoman Eva Clayton, who was the first African American female to represent North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives; Joyce Clayton Nichols, the first female and first African American to become a physician assistant in America; art teacher A. M. Celestine Clayton Roberts; political scientist Professor Dewey Monroe Clayton; and educators Helen Lindsey, Karma Lindsey Branch, Mary Ann Drumright, Sherie Allen, Cinzia Petty Harris, and Stavonna Petty.

Latrise Collins Clayton is currently enrolled in a graduate program in Information Science at NCCU. “It is through the paths that the Clayton family have paved that I can walk with ease into a successful future,” says Destiny Floyd.

ALUMNI NEWS

grows and harvests trees and has been a great contributor to the economic growth and welfare of Person County.

33

INSIGHTS

ALUMNI NEWS

34

ALUMNI NEWS

Business Alumnus, Nelson Cooper Gives Back

N

CCU Business School Alumnus, Nelson Cooper (class of 2015), has started a non-profit organization that is making a huge impact. Nelson is a former studentathlete and a member of the NCCU Baseball team. He resides in Pittsburg, PA and is the Assistant Vice President, Underwriter for PNC Financial. He has continued to follow his passion for baseball by opening up the opportunity for low-income teenagers to be scouted by colleges through his organization,

Pittsburgh Hardball. His program offers academic assistance as well as athletic training.

The non-profit organization works to enrich the lives of youth in the Greater Pittsburgh area via the games of baseball and softball, with a focus on the underrepresented and underserved. Pittsburg Hardball offers specialized training, year-round academic & social enrichment programming.

35 INSIGHTS

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

36

2019-2021

Career Placements ACCOUNTING

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONENTREPRENEURSHIP

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONFINANCIAL ANALYTIC

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONMARKETING

Kennedy Anderson

Cisco

Financial Analyst

Tevin Hayes

Thomas, Judy & Tucker

Staff Accountant

Tiffani Jones

Thomas and Gibbs

Staff Accounting

Kelvon Keith

Department of Revenue

Interstate Field Auditor Intern

Angelena King

UNC-CH

Business Service Coordinator

Krisondra Lione

EPA

Crystal Pierce

BCBSNC

Senior Claims Operations Specialist

Mya Reeves

Exxon Mobil

Controllers Analysts

Eboni Wade

Blue Ridge

Accounts Payable

Tavin Wilson

The Maytown Inn

Generalist

Sherwood Young

Jareh Healthcare

Brown Alton

RHA Health Services

Med Tech

Lauren Bennett

Digital Turbine

Ad Operations Specialist

Nathan Corley

Kelloggs

Sales Rep

LaKeisha Crews

PNC Bank

Teller

Morgan Hinton

Walmart E-Commerce

Category Specialist

Vincent Hudgins

NCCU Bookstore

Retail Team Member

LaRavia Outlaw

Customer Service Representative

Randstad USA

Kemeyon Rainey

Entreprise Holdings

Detailer

Jammerah Ali

Wendy’s Corporation

Accounting Analyst

Jimmy Bellamy

AXA

Financial Advisor

Ikharo Imevboreh

Drucker and Falk

Property Manager

Theophilus Tagoe

CitiBank

Global MKT Analyst, NY

Myles Alston

Virginia Commonwealth University

Brandcenter

Zeshan Aslam

Fat Cat Strategies, LLC

Digital Marketing Intern

Chyna Hines

Net/APP Upstate New York

Digital Account Rep

Dagim Bika

Young Orthodox Tewahedo Christians

Digital Marketing Associate

Aynna Marsha

Red Ventures

Professional Sales Specialist

Britani Harris

Duke University

Patient Service Aide

Chantel Ellison

TEX Systems

Digital & Creative Research

Jessica Johnston

Cisco

Project Manager

Kennedy White

FIS

Operations Analyst

Melanie Wright

Wright Stop

Owner

Whitney Hill

Walmart

OGP Association

INSIGHTS

Ekwubiri Chikwenyere

Cisco Technical consultant engineer

J’Cori Hall

TEI Consulting Group

Starr Jackson

State Department (Washington, DC)

Nya Knight

Atrium Health PSA

Gary Murray

Enterprise, Management Trainee

Nikkita Swain

Wells Fargo

Shawon Phillips

Front Desk Agent at TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Alicia Pretty

Net App, Operations Analyst

Jalajayai Tate

Billing Specialist at Spectrum

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION – HUMAN RESOURCE

Assata Conneh

Democracy North Carolina

HR Assistant

Drake Dais

JP Morgan Chase & Co,

HR Analyst

Ti’Eja Woodson

NCCU

Administrative Support Specialist

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND BUSINESS

Lyndon Bowen

Excelerate America Community Manager

Latrice Cameron

AT&T Tier 1.5 Network Operations Engineer

Domaine Johnson

North Carolina National Guard Association Information Technology Specialist

Mohamed Kaba

GAMA -1 Technologies Tier 2 Service Desk Technician

Harold Raymond

VP of Business Development and Engineering Mini City

Gregory Siegfriied

EASi/Caterpillar Engineering Trainee

Danzel Whitted

NetApp- Professional Service Associate

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM ADMINISTRATION

Tamara Bellinger

Discover Durham

Sales and Service

OShaela Peebles

Workplace

Operations Business Analyst

Tayaa Pratt

Consumer Sales Specialist

Wells Fargo

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION – MANAGEMENT

37

INSIGHTS

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

38

Donors & Contributors MAJOR GIFT COMMITMENTS ($25,000+) TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MADE BY ALUMNI AND FRIENDS (FY20) Dominion Energy (Yvonne M. Simmons ’62)

Family Fare (Jeff Mercer ‘79)

To Honor the Memory of Dr. Francis A. Kornegay ‘35

Walter Douglas ’54 (MBA ’55 and Honorary Degree in 1998)

Kevin and Lauretta Holloway ’75 / ‘75

Cornell and Bessie Slade ’75/ ’75

Retha (Hughes) Douglas ‘56

Michael P. Johnson, Sr. ‘69

In Honor of Randal M. Rogers

In Honor of Dr. Lincoln Harrison, CPA and Dr. Stewart Fulbright

Jamia S. Mills, Ph.D. ’05 / ‘07

James H. Speed, Jr. and Thedora (Baker) Speed ’75 / ‘80

Barbara Exum ‘75

Dr. William F. Pickard

Stephanie Strong ‘78

$2500-$5000 Carolyn Abney Ward ‘94

2,500.00

Ernest Jenkins ‘74

2,500.00

Glenwood Davis ‘78

5,000.00

Thad Jones ‘63

4,000.00

Kenneth Gibbs ‘78

5,000.00

George Walls ‘75

5,000.00

Benjamin Hill ‘74

2,500.00

Valeria Wilson ‘65

4,000.00

$5000-10000 Mrs. Helen Latten ‘69

8,350.00

Dr. Jamia Mills ‘05

6,000.00

Ms. Stephanie Strong ‘78

9,000.00

INSIGHTS

39

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Jalisha Pone Director of Development/ School of Business  jpone3@NCCU.EDU  919-530-5368

INSIGHTS

NCCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | INSIGHTS

40

1801 FAYETTEVILLE STREET 221 C.T. WILLIS BUILDING DURHAM, NC 27707 FOR MORE INFO CONTACT 919.530.6458 | BUSINESS@NCCU.EDU | NCCU.EDU/BUSINESS FOLLOW US     