Elizabeth City, N.C. — Every institution tells its story through those it sends to the frontline. This fall, ECSU’s “best” told that story well. From Oct. 1–5, 10 Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) students traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 2025 Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute, a leading national program designed to prepare HBCU scholars to excel in today’s competitive workforce. Accompanied by Assistant Director of Employer Relations Tameka Gibbs, the group joined hundreds of students from across the country for four days of leadership development, professional growth, and a culminating recruitment fair.
“This year marked our largest group of participants to date,” said Gibbs. “Their preparation and professionalism reflect the caliber of students we develop at Elizabeth City State University.”
For Luz Vazquez Rivera, a senior majoring in engineering technology and mathematics, the experience was both affirming and transformative. “The most impactful lesson I gained from the TMCF Leadership Institute was the importance of showing up with purpose even when the path ahead feels uncertain,” she said. “I learned that leadership isn’t defined by titles or positions, but by how we adapt, connect, and bring value wherever we are.” Rivera added that stepping onto a national stage was empowering. “My journey, as a Latina and non-traditional student, is proof that persistence and authenticity open doors.”
Jasmine Jackson, a senior kinesiology major and one of only 14 student emcees selected for the event, described the moment as a defining highlight of her ECSU journey. “The most impactful moment was hearing from past TMCF Leadership Institute scholars who once stood on the same stage or sat in the same seats we were in not long ago,” Jackson said. “Witnessing so much Black excellence in one room was powerful. It reminded me that leadership is about legacy and staying connected to the spaces and systems that shaped us.” She credited ECSU’s Career Development team and Gibbs for preparing the group “to show up focused, confident and ready to learn, grow and carry Viking pride and professionalism.”
For Niarea Matthews, a senior majoring in computer science, the conference reshaped her definition of success. “The most impactful lesson I took away was that your brand isn’t how others see you; it’s how you decide to show up and define yourself,” she said. “During my first LI, I walked in feeling like an imposter. But by the end, I realized the only thing separating me from the people I admired was the confidence to stand in my own story.” Matthews called the opportunity “both humbling and empowering and proof that I was exactly where I was meant to be.”
Nyla Phillips, a junior majoring in criminal justice, reflected on the confidence she gained from connecting with industry leaders. “Being able to sell my brand to the companies in the room without a script was a heart-rushing feeling,” Phillips said. “Telling my story and letting them be clear on my interest allowed me to have meaningful conversations about a future possibility of working with their team.” She added that being part of the ECSU contingent “put a bug in their ear about the greatness coming from Vikingland.”
For Nadrya Godwin, a senior graphic design major, the event reinforced what authentic leadership means. “The most impactful lesson I experienced was that you can’t lead people when there’s no one behind you,” she said. “Being chosen for this experience made me feel proud and professionally invested. Personally, I gained confidence in the future and how I can further represent and be a pioneer for other graphic designers from ECSU.”
The 2025 ECSU participants were:
- WeszliyaCraddock, senior engineering technology major
• Nadrya Godwin, senior graphic design major
• Nyia Howard, junior psychology major
• Michael Johnson, senior aviation science major
• Jasmine Jackson, senior kinesiology major
• Niarea Matthews, senior computer science major
• Quaysan Miles, junior kinesiology major
• Nyla Phillips, junior criminal justice major
• Luz Vazquez Rivera, senior engineering technology and mathematics major
• Abdou Zongo, senior engineering technology major
The Leadership Institute experience reflected the purpose of an ECSU education—to prepare students to step into the world with skill and confidence. ECSU’s dynamic 10 have returned to Vikingland and are already putting the university’s guiding promise into practice: to come to discover and leave to conquer.
For more information about the Leadership Institute, visit tmcf.org/programs/leadership-institute