MMHMF Scholarship Recipient
BRANDON BROWN
2006 MMHMF Scholarship Recipient
A letter from Brandon
I truly appreciate all that the Martha Mason Hill Memorial Foundation has done for me over the past 4 years. I also graduated Cum Laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.566 from James Madison University on May 8, 2010, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Studies.
Involvements
Over the past year I served as President of the Xi Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; I worked for the Center for Multicultural Student Services as a Multicultural Attache for the second year in a row; I also served as an Orientation Peer Adviser to the JMU Class of 2013.
Awards
I was a Finalist for Mr. Madison 2010; Awarded the Raymond C. Dingledine Senior Leadership Scholarship for the 2009-2010 school-year; Inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society (April, 2010); Recognized for being the College Brother with the Highest Cumulative GPA in the State of Virginia by the Virginia Association for Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (VACAPAF).
Long-Term Plans
I look forward to beginning graduate school in the fall in the higher education administration at Old Dominion University (ODU), where I will serve as a Graduate Assistant in the Residence Life office. In the future, I hope to work with Academic Success/Retention programs that are specifically targeted at Black/Minority men on college campuses. After obtaining my Master's Degree in May 2012, I plan on working 2-2.5 years, after which I will go back to school to either obtain an MBA (in case I decide to switch career focus depending on the experience I have working in the field after Grad School) or a PhD in Educational Leadership (Higher Education).
I truly hope to make an impact in the field of higher education to positively influence African-American students to pursue and be successful in their pursuit of higher learning.
I have attached some pictures and my resume to aid in the write-up as well. Thanks again for your continued support, it is very much appreciated!
Love and Blessings
Brandon D. Brown
***UPDATE 2014***
Brandon Brown, M.S. Ed.
M.S. from Old Dominion University, in higher education, May, 2012
A stellar record of achievements, continues to excel. Graduate, with honors, James Madison University in 2010; B.S. in public relations, minor in English James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.; Bachelor of Science, May 2010 Cumulative GPA: 3.566 M.S.,Old Dominion University, in higher education, May, 2012.
Overview
Current
- Assistant Director of Residence Life and Multicultural Center at Elon University
Past
Education
- Old Dominion University
- James Madison University
- Matoaca High School
Public Profile
http://www.linkedin.com/in/brandondbrown
Summary
Creative, dynamic, and highly self-motivated student affairs practitioner with a solid background and interest in mentoring students and cultivating their natural talents to ensure their success. Over the course of my Undergraduate and Graduate Student careers, I have had the opportunity to gain professional experience through various positions, assistantships,and internships. Fortunately, this has allowed me to develop strong competencies in the areas of peer mentor programs, residence life, multicultural programming, orientation, and Greek life.
I pride myself on being a dedicated team player committed to organizational success, and through coursework and experience, I've been able to develop and exemplify strong skills in written and verbal communication, training, event planning, supervision, and customer service
Experience
Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry
June 2012 – Present (2 months)
Recommend Brandon’s work at Elon University
Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry
August 2011 – May 2012 (10 months) Norfolk, Virginia
*Mentored 25 first-semester sophomores by providing academic support and discussing life skills on a weekly basis
*Connected students to proper campus resources as they participate in varied academic and extracurricular experiences
*Conducted weekly training sessions on mentor and tutor ethics so that students can become certified peer educators
Recommend Brandon’s work at Old Dominion University
Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry
September 2011 – December 2011 (4 months) Norfolk, Virginia Area
* Worked closely with the Assistant Director of Admissions for Special Events to coordinate the Student Organization Fair and Step Show components of the university's Fall Open House
*Actively recruited high school students with Admissions Counselors during local and out of state college fairs
*Developed surveys to assess the satisfaction of prospective students, families, and university partners with Admissions events
Recommend Brandon’s work at Norfolk State University
June 2011 – August 2011 (3 months) Palo Alto, CA
*Oversaw the facility management and disciplinary needs of a diverse residential community housing 46 pre-college students
*Facilitated community builders and a social, cultural, health, and educational program over a six-week period
*Supervised 4 undergraduate, first-time residential assistants
*Organized structures and policies to govern the 7 Summer College houses with 7 other Graduate House Directors
*Appropriated a programming budget of roughly $2,000 for the summer term
*Created transition report template and a weekly programming newsletter for Summer College students and staff
Recommend Brandon’s work at Stanford
Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry
June 2011 – August 2011 (3 months) Stanford, CA
I conducted a readership analysis of the Stanford Report, which delivers news and information about the Stanford community via email each weekday. It includes the latest news, campus announcements, events, and classified ads, with extensive links to the Stanford News website for detailed coverage.
Recommend Brandon’s work at Stanford University
Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry
January 2011 – May 2011 (5 months) Norfolk, Virginia Area
*Instructed 22 students placed on academic probation during weekly class meetings and interim one-on-one meetings
*Developed a curriculum that focused on effective study practices and time management skills in efforts to improve my students’ academic performance
Recommend Brandon’s work at Old Dominion University
Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry
August 2010 – May 2011 (10 months) Norfolk, Virginia Area
*Co-managed, enforced policy, and resolved crisis in a residential complex housing 600 first-year students
*Trained, supervised, and mentored a staff of 22 undergraduate resident assistants and 1 desk receptionist
*Participated in an on-call duty rotation for a campus of 4,600 residents while supporting emergencies and crisis situations
*Met with students per the Early Alert grade system and developed academic success contracts
*Served as a University student conduct Hearing and Pre-hearing Officer
*Advised the Community Council Vice-President and Programming committee
*Created promotional materials to publicize community-wide programs
Recommend Brandon’s work at Old Dominion University
Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry
August 2008 – May 2010 (1 year 10 months) Harrisonburg, VA
*Promoted multicultural awareness through programming in residence halls, including Conversations About Diversity forums
*Provided administrative support to CMSS staff and students as a front-desk assistant for two days each
*Facilitated diversity training for student organizations
Recommend Brandon’s work at James Madison University
Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry
February 2009 – September 2009 (8 months) Harrisonburg, VA
*Served as a front-line resource for incoming students and families on topics such as: academics, student activities, and judicial policies during Summer Springboard Orientation sessions
*Provided quality customer service to incoming students and families in my dual role as an Operations Assistant
*Selected, trained and supervised 20 First-year Orientation Guides (FROGs) during 1787 August Orientation
*Choreographed FROG Dance for University Welcome with other committee members
Brandon graduated 5th in his class from Matoaca High School in 2006. Since then, he has been on the move!
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in English from James Madison University in 2010. Brandon received his Master of Science degree in Education with a major in Higher Education Administration and a concentration in Student Affairs from Old Dominion University in 2012. Brandon's undergraduate and postgraduate involvements in higher education include orientation, admissions, residence life, multicultural programming, and academic coaching.
Brandon joined the staff of Bard College, Kingston, NY as the Assistant Director of Bard Educational Opportunity Programs (BEOP).
OTHER POSITIONS HELD INCLUDE:
Assistant Director of Residence Life and Multicultural Center, Elon University, Norfolk, VA
Graduate Intern, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
ACUHO (Association of College and University Housing Officers)-I Internship - House Director, Housing & Residence Life, High School Summer College, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Assistant Residence Hall Director, First Year Living, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Multicultural Attaché, Center for Multicultural Student Services, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Orientation Operations Peer Adviser, Orientation Office, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
He is described as “creative, dynamic, and highly self-motivated student affairs practitioner with a solid background and interest in mentoring students and cultivating their natural talents to ensure their success”.
UPDATE 2012
BRANDON BROWN, B.S., M.S.ED.2006 MMHMF Scholarship Recipient“Continuing a stellar record of achievement”
Brandon graduated from James Madison University in 2010 with honors, earning a B.S. in Public Relations with a minor in English. He received his M.S. Ed. in higher education from Old Dominion University in May, 2012. Brandon was recently appointed the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Multicultural Center at Elon University.
His Past Employment:
• Academic Coach, Peer Educator Programs at Old Dominion University
• Intern, Admissions and Enrollment Management at Norfolk State University
• House Director, High School Summer College at Stanford
Brandon is creative, dynamic, and a highly self-motivated student affairs practitioner with a solid background and interest in mentoring students and cultivating their natural talents to ensure their success. He wrote: “Over the course of my undergraduate and graduate student careers, I have had the opportunity to gain professional experience through various positions, assistantships, and internships. Fortunately, this has allowed me to develop strong competencies in the areas of peer mentor programs, residence life, multicultural programming, orientation, and Greek life. I pride myself on being a dedicated team player committed to organizational success, and through coursework and experience, I've been able to develop and exemplify strong skills in written and verbal communication, training event planning, supervision, and customer service.
