ARL Illuminator Vol.. 13, 1: The Academic Issue

Bro. Jerome Sheriff

• Spring 17 initiate
• Major: Education and Psychology
• Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
• Future Plans: Teachers for America in Cleveland

Bro. Manthani Brown is a 2017 graduate of Capital University where he majored in Comm. Studies. He was initiated into the OP Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Spring of 2014. Currently, he is volunteering with AmeriCorps with the City Year Program. He is also working on developing his own business to help with the youth in his home city of Columbus, Ohio.

Bro. Jordan Hawkins , Spring 15 initiate of the Mighty Omicron Rho Chapter, is a 2017 graduate of Otterbein University. Majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology, Bro. Hawkins has already begun a promising career in the world of politics. He currently serves as a Legislative Aide in the Ohio Senate for fellow Alpha Senator Vernon Sykes and plans on attending graduate school in order to attain a masters in public policy in the next year. Bro. Hawkins proudly served as president of major minority campus organizations while at Otterbein, serving as the chapter vice president from 2015-2017, and a campus leader always eager to engage in activism on campus.

Bro. Brandon Briscoe is a 2017 graduate of Capital University, where he majored in Business Management. Bro. Briscoe was initiated into the Omicron Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Fall of 2014. He currently works as an Admissions Counselor at The American University in Washington, DC, and is preparing to start his MBA with a concentration Management at American as well. After obtaining his MBA, he plans to work in the Public Policy sector of governance or start his own non-profit. In his spare time, Bro. Briscoe is heavily involved in the Arts, especially Photography, Graphic Design, or Modeling.

Spring 2017:  Bro. Tyrin Rome

• Spring 2014 Initiate
• Hometown- Toledo, Ohio
• Degree- Music Production
• College Involvement/Accomplishments:
  • Men of Black Excellence
  • Academics Award
  • Ohio-in-LA global opportunities program
  • Liaison for the Black Student union
  • Achieved Deans list 4 times
  • The740 student-run radio show

Future plans:

Bro. Rome future plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue music. His future plans also include opening a music studio for audio engineering/recording; and begin a program for young people to help them become Music professionals both as artists, musicians, and executives.

Spring 2017:  Bro. Marquis Maines

• Fall 2016 Initiate
• Hometown- Cleveland, Ohio
• Degree- Interactive MultiMedia and Design
• College Involvement/Accomplishments:
  • President- Alpha Phi Alpha
  • Graphic Design Intern- CLDC Intern

Future Plans:

Bro. Maines is currently in a graphic design role with Phenom People. He is hoping to learn more about the world of design and make an impact on a global scale.

Fall 2017:  Bro. Michael Jones

• Spring 2014 Initiate
• Hometown- Cincinnati, Ohio
• Degree- Interactive MultiMedia
• University Involvement/Accomplishments:
  • Student Ambassador- Global Leadership Center
  • President – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Phi Chapter
  • Global Leadership Center-Certificate

Future Plans:

Bro. Jones future plans include utilizing his global leadership experiences abroad to make a difference. He plans to use these skills to fuel his future entrepreneurial ventures.

Fall 2017:  Bro. Nigel Vinson

• Fall 2016 Initiate
• Hometown- Cleveland, Ohio
• Degree- Global Studies (East Asia)
• University Involvement/Accomplishments:
  • Historian – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Phi Chapter
  • Chinese Language Student Association

Future Plans:

Bro. Vinson plans to travel to Shanghai, China and teach English to elementary students. Upon completing his teaching internship, he will be attending law school in the fall of 2018.

Spring 2018:  Bro. Michael Kinlow

• Fall 2016 Initiate
• Hometown- Canton, Ohio
• Degree – Chemistry Pre-Med minor in African American Studies
• University Involvement/Accomplishments:
  • President – Black Student Cultural Programming Board
  • Vice President- Minority Association Pre Health Students

Future Plans:

Upon graduation this spring Bro. Kinlow plans to attend medical and law school.

Almar T. Walter

What would you have done differently in the past to prepare for your senior year, had you known what you know now?

Dear Younger Almar,

I was in your shoes about 13 years ago and want to share some nuggets of knowledge as you prepare to graduate and enter the workforce.  Here are six nuggets of information (from your future self) that you should heed, as doing so now will bless your tomorrow.

1. You are nearing graduation and have sufficiently developed the core competencies necessary to earn a degree. Do not be afraid to explore the use of those competencies outside of your intended field; they are transferable so don’t limit yourself to a particular field. You have skills and competencies that could translate into opportunities within other fields.

2. Consider making decisions that will benefit your long-term needs. Too often juniors are focused on their short-term wants. Example; don’t buy those Jordans young Almar, instead buy 25 shares of that $4 Apple stock like Dr. Gupta suggested.

3. Very carefully select what relationships you invest in as most of the people you’re currently entertaining will yield no benefit after graduation. Meaningfully invest into the relationships that will add value to your life then intentionally develop them.

4. I know you hate to do this but, push yourself outside your comfort zone in an effort to develop supportive networks. Believe me young Almar doing this now will yield in ways you do not yet understand.

5. What you have inside of you is more than enough for the journey ahead so trust your God given gifts, academic training, and ask for help when you need it! Don’t shy away from your individuality but be sure to fully embrace your uniqueness.

6. Find a mentor to share your dreams with and let that person help hold you accountable for reaching your greatness.

Your Future Self,

Almar Thomas Walter

P.S. Stop wondering what could go wrong and start envisioning your success after graduation. You’re dope, the world needs you. Peace!