@Claflin: Primary Talent Partners Provides Scholarships, New Men's Basketball Head Coach and more

May 20, 2022

The World Needs Visionaries

Primary Talent Partners Provides $100,000 Scholarship to Claflin University

Claflin University announces that Primary Talent Partners (PTP) will invest $100,000 to support scholarships at Claflin University through its DiversIT Scholars program. PTP will fund 40 scholarships over the next five years to help remove financial barriers that often lead to high attrition rates among students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). PTP's goal is to increase Black representation nationwide in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers.

According to the Pew Research Center, Black students earn only seven percent of the nation's bachelor's degrees in STEM. "Study after study demonstrates that Black students leave STEM majors at far higher rates than their white peers," said Dr. Marcus Burgess, interim vice president for institutional advancement at Claflin University. "The PTP donation helps us make impactful changes by providing tuition assistance for students committed to completing their degree requirements.”

Thanks to PTP's program, Claflin University graduates will contribute directly to increasing the number of Black professionals in the STEM workplace. By supporting HBCUs that are working to increase Black representation in STEM careers, organizations can assure that the pool delivers a steady stream of qualified graduates.

Tinisha Bookhart, PTP Founder, said that strengthening the Claflin partnership makes sense when considering the level of talented STEM scholars the University produces each year.

"Our clients are anxious to hire more Blacks in STEM positions," Bookhart said. "We have witnessed Claflin's success and we are confident that this infusion of funds will help the University expand the number of Black computer scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, and scientists across the board that will enter the workforce. We're excited to help make this happen."

Dr. Karina Liles, assistant professor of Computer Science at Claflin University, said the investment will make a significant difference in the lives of the students receiving the DiversIT scholarships. "Every day, we see bright and driven students that must put their career goals on hold due to financial constraints.

I look forward to seeing these funds from PTP make a significant impact on diversity in the STEM workplace."

PTP founded the DiversIT Scholars program in 2018. It was designed to increase the number of minority candidates in STEM-related fields by offering substantive financial and emotional support to HBCU students enrolled in STEM programs. PTP co-brands these scholarships with clients, furthering the benefit for everyone involved.

Scholarships are funded via a percentage of every hour billed to clients. The funds deliver several benefits to STEM students attending HBCUs, including a $2,500 scholarship, clothing, and housing stipends to remove barriers to meaningful internships in high cost of living locations and mentors throughout their college careers.

‍"The honor of being a Divers-IT scholar has been the best experience during my matriculation," said AaLeeyah Housey, DiversIT Scholar and 2022 graduate of Claflin University. "The scholarship reduced my financial burden and allowed me to focus on the most crucial aspect of school - learning.

The continued support and mentoring they provided made me a much better candidate for the job market. I was more prepared than I could have ever imagined. I am deeply appreciative of Primary Talent Partners and how they helped me get closer to achieving my career goals."

Dunlap Named Claflin University Men's Basketball Head Coach

Brion (pronounced Bree-on) Dunlap was announced as Claflin University’s new head coach for men's basketball on Thursday, May 19, during a press conference at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. Dunlap was chosen to lead the program following a national search.

"This is a great opportunity," said Dunlap. "I look forward to working with two outstanding leaders – Claflin President Dr. Dwaun Warmack and Athletic Director Tony O'Neal – that want to win. They've been winners all their lives, and I'm trying to be a part of a winning program. Winners create winners, and that's my goal. To produce championships, raise banners, and most importantly, see every student-athlete who comes to our program walk across the stage to get their degree and raise banners that will last forever."

Dunlap comes to Claflin after a successful stint at Harris-Stowe State University, where he spent five successful seasons with the Hornets. He compiled an 81-56 overall record and won three American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament Championships (2017, 2018, and 2020). His tenure produced several players who earned All NAIA and All-AMC honors.

"This young man took over a program [Harris-Stowe] a few years back … and he built a successful program," said Claflin University Director of Athletics Tony O'Neal. "Everybody talks about building a great team. Legacies are built on great programs."

Before Harris-Stowe, Dunlap spent a season as an assistant coach at Winston-Salem State University, also a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

He also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at the College of the Holy Cross, where he helped the Crusaders compile a 34-30 overall record in two seasons. Holy Cross was 20-14 in the 2013-14 season - the team's first 20-win season since 2006-07. The Crusaders notched three finishes in the top half of the Patriot League standings during Dunlap's tenure.

Claflin finished 7-20 overall last year. Included was an opening round defeat in the 2022 CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Dunlap is a 1998 graduate of Old Dominion University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in human services counseling. He was a four-year starter with the Monarchs and led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and two Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championships. Dunlap was named to the CAA All-Rookie team in 1995 and the CAA All-Tournament team in 1997. He earned Chevrolet Player of the Game honors following Old Dominion's 59-55 loss to New Mexico in the first round of the 1997 NCAA Tournament. He still ranks among the CAA's all-time leaders in career assists.

Employee News

Claflin University Deputy Director of Athletics Marilynn Stacey-Suggs has been named the 2022 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Senior Woman Administrator of the Year. The award was presented on Wednesday, May 18, at the CIAA Annual Spring General Assembly and End of Year Awards Reception in Baltimore, Md.

"I'm really proud of her accomplishment," said Claflin University Director of Athletics Tony O'Neal. "This is a tremendous honor, and it is well deserved."

Stacey-Suggs was selected for the award by her SWA peers in CIAA. The honor comes following a banner year by Claflin's student-athletes. The Lady Panthers softball team reached the championship game of the 2022 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament after winning the university's inaugural CIAA softball championship. Freshman sprinter Zoe Adams competed in the 2022 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships and the Lady Panthers volleyball team made advanced to the semifinal round of the 2021 CIAA Volleyball Championship Tournament for the first time in school history.

The team's academic success included the induction of 15 student-athletes into Claflin's chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.

Stacey-Suggs was promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator in January of 2021. Among her duties is serving as the University's Director of Compliance and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She is also the co-advisor to the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society.

Stacey-Suggs is a native of Reidsville, N.C., and a graduate of Winston-Salem State University. She holds memberships in the Women Leader in College, the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC), and the Minority Opportunities Association (MOAA).