University of Memphis and Bank of America Launch Inaugural Career Fellows Program for Black/African American Students

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics, in partnership with Bank of America, have launched the FCBE Career Fellows Program. This initiative is designed to engage, educate and effectively prepare Black/African American business students for professional success.

This partnership is a demonstration of Bank of America’s and the University’s commitment to driving opportunities for people and communities of color. The inaugural cohort of FCBE Careers Fellows include rising junior business students: Ashanti Crowder, Chanise Thompson, Isaiah Capps and Aaron Wallace.

Back row (L to R): Marja Martin-Carruth, Director | Avron B. Fogelman Center for Professional Career Development; Bonita Terry-Malone, Senior Director | Corporate Foundation Relations, University of Memphis; Trevia Chatman, President | Bank of America, Memphis; Dr. Gregory W. Boller, Interim Dean | Fogelman College of Business & Economics, UofM ​ Front Row (L to R): Isaiah Capps, Chanise Thompson, Ashanti Crowder, Aaron Wallace. Photo provided by University of Memphis.

Over a two-year period, the FCBE Career Fellows Program will provide professional development opportunities, job shadowing, resume and interview workshops, internships and career opportunities, and more.

In a recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the number of internships completed and a student’s GPA are the major predictors of initial career outcomes.

Graduates with more internships and graduates with higher GPAs had higher odds of being employed relative to seeking employment six months after graduation.

Through this partnership with Bank of America, the University of Memphis hopes to develop an innovative and strong pipeline of Black/African American graduates. College graduation is significant to economic mobility, and the purpose of this program is to eliminate the graduation gap.

“Career opportunities are a critical pillar in addressing the racial equality gap in our country,” said Trevia Chatman, president, Bank of America Memphis. “In partnership with UofM, the FCBE Career Fellows Program is designed to further equip Black/African American undergraduate business students with career development support and guidance to help ensure their success and position them for career advancement.”

“College and career readiness are more vital now than ever,” said Marja Martin-Carruth, director of the Avron B. Fogelman Center for Complete Professional Development (CPCD). “With a strategic approach, we will work closely with Bank of America and the FCBE Career Fellows to create customized professional development plans in hopes of bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and career readiness by providing resources necessary for student success in today’s ever changing job market.”

About University of Memphis

The University of Memphis (UofM) is a comprehensive, internationally recognized, urban public research university preparing students for success in a diverse, innovative, global environment. Student success, service, innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration and accountability are core values at the University of Memphis. The University is classified as “Carnegie R1” or “Doctoral: Very High Research Activity and Community Engaged” per the Carnegie Classification for Institutions of Higher Learning. With a focus on research and service benefitting communities locally and across the globe, we are home to nationally designated centers of excellence in cybersecurity research and education, transportation workforce development, mobile health data and five Tennessee centers of research excellence. The UofM is dedicated to providing the highest quality of education to a diverse student body that includes members who are of all ages, racial and ethnic heritages and economic backgrounds (including a significant proportion of students who are Pell-eligible), as well as veterans and first-generation college students.  Academic degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, doctoral and professional levels as well as certificate programs are offered on the main campus in Memphis, the Lambuth campus in Jackson, and through UofM Global. The UofM awards approximately 4,700 degrees and certificates annually. Talented and innovative faculty have developed both undergraduate and graduate programs that are ranked in the top 25 nationally. Our metropolitan setting has enabled us to build a nationally recognized internship program that facilitates the placement of undergraduate and graduate students throughout the community in nonprofit and for-profit organizations that specialize in healthcare, government, transportation and logistics, music and entertainment, medical devices, banking and the arts.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATM and award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Source – Bank Of America