Livingstone College News Service

SALISBURY — Livingstone College hosted the North Carolina Region I meeting of Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society on March 22 at the college’s location on Jake Alexander Boulevard. 

Undergraduate scholars and academic advisors from North Carolina’s HBCUs such as Bennett College, North Carolina A&T State, St. Augustine and Winston-Salem State universities convened for professional development and networking opportunities, while exploring graduate school and career prospects under the theme, “An Inquiry of Ideas, Identity and Intersectionality.”

As the organization aims to promote high scholarship among undergraduate juniors and seniors, encourage endeavor in all fields of knowledge and service, cultivate a high order of personal living and develop an appreciation for scholarship and scholarly endeavor in others; under the leadership of Livingstone College’s Alpha Kappa Mu advisor and Region I President Da’Tarvia Parrish, attendees engaged in a full day of enrichment activities to strengthen scholarship, professional outlook and service-learning initiatives. 

“As our organization’s birthright is steeped in a tradition of higher standards for student-centered, scholarship-focused and service-oriented undertakings, I welcome you to partake in an experience that aims to produce leaders of integrity, professional excellence, intellectual depth and social consciousness,” Parrish said.

Meeting presenters included Jean McBride of North Carolina Department of Administration who shared state internship opportunities, Parrish, also president of American Association University Women (AAUW) Salisbury branch who shared the organization’s signature salary negation workshop Start Smart, Livingstone College Student Ambassadors of Society of Financial Education and Professional Development (SFE&PD) who presented financial literacy, and William McKee of Winston-Salem State University who served as the guest speaker with a message entitled, “It’s a Movement.” 

Exhibitors included Freedom Schools Partners, U.S. Navy Chaplaincy, Hood Theological Seminary, University of Notre Dame, Creighton University School of Law, Wayne State University School of Law, University of South Carolina, Pfeiffer University and St. Thomas University Benjamin Crump College of Law shared resources and openings for scholars and advisors to prepare and engage in employment, internship, summer and graduate school and/or research programs.

“I was quite impressed with the academic opportunities offered by the exhibitors, and I am looking forward to engaging in a summer business opportunity with the University of Notre Dame,” said Muan attendee Emile Doge of Livingstone College. 

Alpha Kappa Mu’s national president Brandon Henry of Albany State University greeted the body and workshopped scholarship applications extended to members from the organization, Regional Director Sandrea Williamson met with advisors for best practices in Honors, and the full committee elected Asia Rogers of Bennett College as Region I student representative. 

The meeting concluded with a closure by Livingstone College President Dr. Anthony J. Davis congratulated scholars and advisors on their commitment to a higher academic calling and charged them to be intentional in engagements that strengthen their brilliance and enrich the promise of future greatness. 

The 2022-2024 Region I executive committee includes president Parrish, Vice President Tonya Doane, student representatives Febbie Piersol and Emile Dogbe, and regional director Sandrea Williamson. For more information about Alpha Kappa Mu, go to www.alphakappamu.org