LU’s Collegiate 100 chosen to participate in new Leadership and Career Institute

Since being chartered in February of 2021, Lamar University’s Collegiate 100 chapter has been impacting change and doing work that matters within the Southeast Texas community. The organization was recently chosen as one of top 10 chapters by the 100 Black Men of America to participate in the launch of the 2022 Collegiate 100 Leadership and Career Institute –– a pilot program focused on providing C100 members with leadership development and professional growth opportunities.

“Their mission is to get students ready for an internship and to get them placed and set up for a career with different companies,” said Kathryn Washington, assistant professor of educational leadership and C100 chapter advisor.

The Collegiate 100 is a campus-based auxiliary program of the 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont, a civic organization, whose goal is supporting the development of social, emotional and educational needs of youth who need positive role models in the community. In line with the C100 institute’s mission of building a support network and assisting C100 members with obtaining internships and full-time career level employment, each month the institute plans to invite local company representatives to campus to offer career guidance and professional development tips to organization members.

The group held their first institute orientation on Jan. 27 for C100 members and on Feb. 3, they participated and learned insight on the application process with representatives from Geico. Washington said with the organization’s connection to the 100 Black Men of America, companies have been pouring in inquiring on how they can assist with the institute. “Companies are reaching out to the 100 Black Men of America as a way to try to recruit more African Americans into their professions.” 

Washington said even if you are in a different organization –– especially if you are a student of color ­­–– the benefits and opportunities available for C100 members are endless. The organization frequently participates in playground clean ups, school clean ups and volunteering opportunities in local schools. They also are involved with events on campus such as vaccination clinics, voters registration drives and are teaming up with other organizations to facilitate workshops. The organization’s work also has garnered recognition from LU Alumnus Edwin Vallery '79 who recently awarded $500 scholarships to two LU C100 students –– Janeujua Ross and DeShaun Bell –– just this spring.

“My role is to support our students and make sure that they get the full experience out of the organization. Words cannot express how proud I am of our students and the impact that they are making immediately,” Washington said. “I’m also very proud of them for stepping up to the plate to be leaders –– this is priceless.”

Students interested in joining the Collegiate 100 are encouraged to submit an application to LUCollegiate100@gmail.com or visit lamar.edu/education for more information.