Talladega College and INROADS Launch Career Pathways Initiative

Innovative program to boost diverse, trained, 21st century leaders

BIRMINGHAM, AL, February 22, 2018 Talladega College and INROADS Career Pathways initiative is a new program that provides students with career readiness activities to help increase their opportunity to secure internships and full-time positions. In today’s workforce, students must be prepared and skilled when they walk into their internships/jobs. Thanks to a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., Career Pathways will train and equip students to receive coaching sessions, leadership development, resume advice, mock interviews and much more.

Initially, INROADS will partner with Talladega College, Oakwood University and Tougaloo College (TOT Cluster) — all historically black colleges and universities in the state of Alabama. Talladega College will be the first of the three schools to participate in the program by initiating a Career Pathways Week from Monday, February 26 through Thursday, March 1 on their campus. The other schools will follow in 2018-2019, and more colleges/universities will participate as the program grows. 

“At INROADS, we want to make sure our student-leaders are trained and ready for Corporate America, and this opportunity has great potential for our underserved students. We are very proud to partner with the TOT Cluster to grow and diversify America’s workforce,” said Forest Harper, President and CEO, INROADS, Inc.  

The Career Pathways Week at Talladega College will include a President’s Brunch with dynamic keynote speaker Justin Jones-Fosu discussing purpose and passion for success, training sessions such as Fearless Interviewing, mock career fair, Fortune 500 corporations such as Verizon and additional skill-building activities. To view the entire schedule, visit INROADS.org/career-pathways/.

“This program will be an amazing opportunity for our Talladega students to receive increased preparation for Corporate America and be ready to start not just a job, but a true career path,” said Sherissa Gaitor, Director of INROADS Career Pathways-Talladega and Corporate Partnerships. 

“This is absolutely a great program for our students. Each year, we watch our students go out into the workforce, ready to conquer in their field, and we are always excited to allow more possibilities for our students to hone their skills before graduation,” said Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, Talladega College President.

INROADS Career Pathways Initiative Committee at Talladega College has been working on this program for several months. The committee members include: Sherissa Gaitor; Mi-li-lani Sinclair, Director of Sponsored and Title III Programs, UNCF CPI Campus Liaison; Dr. Sharon Whittaker-Davis, VP of Student Affairs; Dr. Lisa Long, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs; Dr. Keith Ray, Criminal Justice Chair; Dr. Angela Walker, Director of Faculty Development; Dr. Syed Raza, Director of Institutional Effectiveness; Jane Bailey, Director of Student Success Services; Celeste Bell, Student Success Coach; and Tre’ Finklea, Director of Student Activities. 

About INROADS 
Founded in 1970, INROADS develops and places talented underserved youth in business and industry, preparing them for corporate and community leadership that affects community renewal and social change and elevates economic status and quality of life. INROADS has placed students in over 135,000 paid internships throughout its history, and graduated over 28,000 alumni into full-time professional and leadership positions with over 1,000 corporate partners. Currently, INROADS serves nearly 1,300 interns and 200 corporate clients. To learn more, visit INROADS.org. 

Media Contact: 
Angela Miller 
P: 205-440-1549
E: [email protected]