Tuskegee University, located in Tuskegee Alabama, was founded by Booker T Washington and Lewis Adams in 1881.
Lewis Adams (standing) and Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee Institute (University), circa 1881–1905. Photographer unknown. Photograph courtesy of Tuskegee University Archives, Photographs Collection.
The university focuses on preparing its students for the American workforce by offering programs in specific areas such as Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Construction Science, Animal Science and Nursing.
Tuskegee University averages approximately five hundred baccalaureate degrees a year with nearly 85% of their graduates entering directly into the workforce.
With a strong alumni presence in corporate America, Tuskegee University provides workshops and career fairs that provide students the opportunity to secure a job or internship before they graduate.
According to US News, Tuskegee University is ranked #4 for top HBCUs throughout the country.
Tuskegee University averages approximately five hundred baccalaureate degrees a year with nearly 85% of their graduates entering directly into the workforce.
More than 100 employers, including 3M, Boeing, Chevron and Proctor & Gamble recruit at Tuskegee University annually.
With a strong alumni presence in corporate America, Tuskegee University provides workshops and career fairs that provide students the opportunity to secure a job or internship before they graduate.
“One of the things that we know about Tuskegee is that it produces good students who are able to perform well in the corporate environment,” Morris said.
“We try to teach the soft skills, for example in the business school we have a class called Corporate Survival Skills, where we do many workshops and have key alumni and corporate individuals to come and tell the students about their work experience."
The Proctor & Gamble company has recruited students from Tuskegee University since the early 1970’s after they saw a need to incorporate diverse talent into their pipeline, according to Dyson.
Karan Dyson
Dyson, who is also a recruiter for P&G, explained why having mentorships within companies is important for the culture environment.
“You must create an environment where employees can thrive and not just survive. Having a strong internal support system will help them be successful long-term”.
Proctor and Gamble implemented a mentorship program for their Black employees that gives them an opportunity to be mentored by a fellow executive that will continuously guide them throughout their career.
“I’ve had friends at other companies that do not have these opportunities and they always end up leaving those companies for the ones that do. Companies must also understand that it takes a while to build culture and that is something that is always a work in progress.” said Dyson.
