Marines educate and empower local high school and college students at Dillard University

Marines from Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Corps Recruiting Command met with hundreds of New Orleans-area high school students and their parents at Dillard University’s campus for the United Negro College Fund “Empower Me” Tour, Feb. 20, 2016. The UNCF-sponsored annual tour takes place at UNCF member campuses and provides high school students and their parents with information about college preparation, successful student strategies and financial aid. This also gives high school students a look at historically black colleges and universities around the U.S. and what they offer to students.

“The UNCF and the Marine Corps have had a long history,” Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough said. “The Marine Corps is involved in some way in many of the events the UNCF hosts. UNCF is committed to educating students about the career opportunities available in the Marine Corps.”

Students, parents and educators learned about grants, scholarship programs and other forms of financial aid, as well as crucial timelines for students to complete ACT and SAT tests before applying for colleges. Students also learned about choosing a major that was best for them and how to find the right learning institution based on their needs. Marines also spoke to parents and students about the Marine Corps Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy, a summer program open to high school students to instill crucial aspects of leading in academics, sports and their community.

 “I was glad to learn that the Marines have a program to teach youth about leadership,” said Mischell Davis, a parent advocate, educator and youth leader with New Home Family Worship Center. “Children need leadership in their lives starting from a very young age, and some families don’t provide their children with that structure, because they don’t have very much experience themselves.”

Staff Sgt. Wyanika Christophe, a career planner with Marine Forces Reserve, spoke to local high school girls during a panel about leadership and personal development.

“The ‘Empower Me’ Tour is really about engagement with the local community, speaking with young people to influence the future leaders of our communities and country,” Christophe said. “We want to let parents and educators know what the Marine Corps can do for their kids to help them in college and after graduation. It’s not always about recruiting, but about helping them become productive citizens.”

Maj. Paul Smith, a recruiting support officer with 6th Marine Corps District, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, spoke to parents and educators about different resources and opportunities offered by the Marine Corps to high school and college students.

 “We are coming out here to educate and empower our American youth, teaching the young men and women in minority communities about how the Marine Corps can help them achieve their long-term goals,” Smith said. “Many people see Marines as just warfighters. They don’t know that we are logisticians, pilots, doctors, lawyers and administrative professionals. Our leadership traits and principles are applicable to every facet of life.”