HBCU College Fair exposes local students to future opportunities
By Shawn Nowlin
Archie Freeman knows that choosing which college to attend is one of the most important decisions a person will ever make. To help equip students with the information they need to make the best decision, the William Fleming High School Principal participated in the inaugural Historically Black College and University Fair at his school on Saturday, February 17.
Hosted by the Roanoke Chapter of the Hampton Alumni Association, the free event started at 10 a.m. and lasted for four hours. Representatives from Hampton, Norfolk State, Virginia State, Howard University, and Alabama A&M Universities and the of Maryland Eastern Shore answered questions, looked over resumes and gave advice to both students and parents. Before the event concluded a dozen students had been accepted into a college.
Hamyra Taylor, an admissions recruiter for Maryland Eastern Shore, said she was impressed with the way Roanoke Valley students approached the college fair.
“My responsibilities consist of traveling to different high schools and college fair events to share information about our academic programs and help students through the admissions process,” she stated. “Sometimes students are completely unprepared to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them. That wasn’t the case at William Fleming. I can tell that most of the students that I spoke with aren’t going to have any problems adjusting to college.”
Douglas Wilder, a 1951 graduate of Virginia Union University, became the first African American Governor of Virginia, serving from 1990 to 1994. Jay Smith, 16, says she met Mr. Wilder a few years ago and he motivated her to get into politics. “He told me that “you don’t need money to make a difference in the world,” said the Northside High student. “He also told me to always gather as much information as possible before making a definitive decision. That has always stuck with me. I got a business card from every college representative, and I will send each of them an email over the next week.”
Mayor Sherman Lea, Mel Wheeler Inc. Program Director Kianna Marini, Vice Mayor Anita Price and Pathways To Promise Founder Melanie Hayden Glover were among the notable faces who played a vital role in the HBCU College Fair.
Cameron Williamson, a Patrick Henry High School underclassman, says Howard University was the school that impressed him most. Located in Washington D.C., Coleman says Howard is known for the major he plans on studying – Biomedical Sciences.
Jaime Coleman, 17, another college hopeful in two years,, stated: “I was incredibly nervous at first to talk with the admissions counselors, but they all made me feel comfortable. Attending Saturday’s college fair with my parents gave me a lot of confidence.”
Event organizer Lezla Gooden said she was inspired to help create the HBCU College Fair after realizing that many local students had never stepped foot on a Black College campus.
“I handled outreach to the colleges and universities that ultimately attended,” said Gooden, a Hampton University graduate and current WSLS 10 reporter. “It is crucial that parents are involved through every step of the college process because it will spark a conversation about what students need to do to get into their desired school. I wish to bring more events and opportunities like the HBCU College Fair to the Roanoke area in the future.”
