InsideTSU - May 30, 2023

Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University!

May 25, 2023

Future Bankers at TSU Achieve 100 Percent Pass Rate on Industry Exam for Third Consecutive Semester

Students in Texas Southern University’s Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP) achieved an impressive 100 percent pass rate for a key professional certification exam – giving them a distinct advantage as they pursue careers in the finance and banking industry. This marks the third consecutive semester the entire FBLP cohort has passed the exam.

Click here to read the full story.

More than 900 Students Graduate During Spring Commencement

Texas Southern University graduates crossed the stage during Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 13. The ceremony recognized and celebrate students who have persevered through portions of an academic journey impacted by COVID-19 and who have matriculated with bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees.

The commencement speaker was be Dietra Trent, Ph.D, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs.

"TSU has instilled a sense of pride into you," Dr. Trent told the graduates. "They've cultivated your desires and your dreams and they’ve refined your talents and your gifts. Excellence and leadership are the hallmark of Texas Southern and the HBCU experience. This institution has been a training ground not only for your benefit and success, but for leadership that can change the world. So class of 2023, you’re not only prepared for what’s ahead. You are uniquely equipped to lead."

The 926 graduates included 562 with undergraduate degrees, 177 with graduate degrees, 59 with Doctor of Pharmacy degrees, and 128 with Juris Doctor degrees from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. This commencement also included the first graduates from TSU's newly-established College of Transdisciplinary Studies.

To view all graduation photos, click here.

Valedictorian Nora Rodriguez Makes History on her Way to Medical School

Nora Rodriguez came to Texas Southern University from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

“I felt so supported,” she said. “It just felt like TSU was giving me this hug and they were just helping me through anything I needed.”

She was a star pitcher for the softball team and a Freeman Scholar in the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College.

“It was definitely a challenge. And it had a very big learning curve to it. But, in order to stay organized, I would make a lot of to do lists and I’d have to prioritize. I had to draw up my schedule and say 8 a.m. I have to do this, this and this. This is what I want to get done. I’d also, in order to not go insane and have time for myself, I’d schedule out breaks and time to hang out with my friends.”

This graduation was the first time in TSU history that the valedictorian and salutatorian were both student-athletes.

Nora will attend McGovern Medical School at UT-Health in the fall. She aspires to be a dermatologist.

Click here to read more of Nora's story.

Salutatorian Embraces Historic Feat as he Prepares to Begin MBA

Devansh Chadha’s journey to salutatorian started on the other side of the world.

“I’m from Kolkata, India,” Chadha said. “That’s where home is for me. But I spent junior and senior year of high school in Australia. That’s when I got recruited to come to TSU.”

He was a member of the TSU men’s golf team.

Click here to read more.

Dexter Maryland Named TSU's

First Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow

Texas Southern University graduating senior Dexter Maryland has been awarded a 2023 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide contest. A distinguished panel selected him out of almost 900 outstanding candidates. The Pickering Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State.

Read more by clicking here.

Texas Southern University's Ocean of Soul Selected to Perform in the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands

TSU’s acclaimed Ocean of Soul marching band has been selected to participate in the 2023 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) on Saturday, August 26 at NRG Stadium at 6 p.m.

The NBOTB is the largest HBCU marching band event and the fourth largest HBCU African American event in the country. With more than 2,200 participating members from across the nation, the NBOTB showcases the top bands as a kickoff to the fall marching band season where each demonstrates a unique style, sound and talent.

The selection for this year’s competition include:

Florida A&M University, Marching “100”
Langston University, “Marching Pride” Band
Mississippi Valley State University, Mean Green Marching Machine
Norfolk State University, The Spartan “Legion” Marching Band
Southern University, Human Jukebox
Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands
Texas Southern University, “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band
Virginia State University, Trojan Marching Explosion

The annual event has built a reputation as an event celebrating the rich culture of HBCU marching bands while focusing on generating scholarship funding for participating HBCU bands and supporting various initiatives in the community.

For tickets, go to www.nationalbattleofthebands.com.

TSU Freshman Selected for Black Music Collective and Amazon Music Scholarship

TSU junior Courtney Roberts has been selected as a 2023 BMC | AMAZON MUSIC YOUR FUTURE IS NOW SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT.

For a third year, the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective and Amazon Music have collaborated to provide an exciting scholarship opportunity for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities who are the next generation of music industry power players.

Five students enrolled at an HBCU will be awarded $10,000 each and have the unique opportunity to participate in an immersive rotational program with Amazon Music and Recording Academy department leads. In addition, the BMC and Amazon Music will award two HBCUs $10,000 grants each for equipment for their music programs.

"TSU in the News" snapshot:

TSU's Ocean of Soul selected to perform in the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands at NRG this year (May 25)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dr. Dietra Trent White House Executive delivers TSU Spring Commencement keynote address and shares her role as an advocate for HBCUs (May 23)

Houston air quality is improving but still among worst in nation (May 15)

Why college officials think COVID made the Class of 2023 uniquely prepared for the workforce (May 15)

Social Media Reacts to “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” Season 2 Premiere (May 15)

Dow Jones and Columbia Journalism School Launch HBCU Media Collective (May 16)

Carl Goodman Selected as the Next Provost

at Texas Southern University

Student Experience Set to Soar with Addition of Two New Leaders

Two new administrators join the Texas Southern University (TSU) community this spring to provide visionary leadership in Enrollment and Student Success and enhance the student experience.

Linwood Whitten, D.C. assumes the role of assistant vice president for student experience. In his capacity, Dr. Whitten is responsible for student programs that have a direct impact on the student experience, growth and development, persistence to graduation, and overall success. Likewise, he will work collaboratively with other colleagues to ensure that all first-time, continuing, and non-traditional students engage and experience University life through student involvement and participation in university organizations and promote school spirit at all levels of the university.

Charged with providing direct leadership for undergraduate and graduate programs, Tiyahri Wilson, Ph.D. becomes the new dean of student responsibility and university standards. She brings more than two decades of leadership and oversight as an administrator, researcher, mental health clinician and community leader that influences holistic development and empowerment for student success. Her practical experiences include judicial affairs, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging advocacy as a licensed mental health practitioner and restorative justice strategies.

Dr. Tiyahir Wilson joins TSU as the new dean of student responsibility and university standards.

Dr. Linwood Whitten joins TSU as the new assistant vice president for student experience.

Thurgood Marshall School of Law Employee Receives Statewide Award

A rising star is in our midst!

Congratulations go to The Earl Carl Institute’s Associate Director for Criminal Justice with the Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s Brian Ehrenberg on receiving the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) Rising Star Award for exhibiting outstanding leadership in representing accused citizens and for his vast contributions to the profession. Ehrenberg story is the featured cover titled, “Casting a Wide Net: Immigration’s Definition of a Conviction” inside TCDLA’S Voice for the Defense, magazine.

Click here to read the full story.

TSU Alumna Soars in Higher Education Administration

There is no doubt Monica G. Williams, Ph.D. is planting seeds for a robust legacy in higher education administration. As vice president for university advancement with the University of North Texas Dallas (UNTD), Dr. Williams also serves as president and chief executive officer of the UNT Dallas Foundation. In her dual roles, she is the chief stewardship officer overseeing a portfolio for the institution’s fundraising, alumni affairs, external relations, marketing and communications and sponsored research missions.

Dr. Williams began her higher education career at TSU serving as an adjunct professor in the School of Communication and later transferring to the Office of Advancement where she acquired the fundamentals of stewardship and philanthropic giving. She has amassed exceptional accomplishments since joining UNTD in July 2016 by raising more than $20 million in private philanthropy while leading the team toward increasing research grants to nearly $40 million.

Dr. Williams earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and communication respectively from Texas Southern University and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A&M University.