Nyah Aaliyah Wright, a native of Summerton, South Carolina, was eager to join the workforce after college. She had always been ambitious, having graduated high school a year early with a 4.0 GPA, and she planned to begin her career after graduating from Allen University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Columbia, South Carolina. An encounter at the school, however, set her on a different course.
“It was not until I met Dr. Flavia Eldemire, the current dean for Business, Education and Social Sciences at Allen University, that my career path would change for the better,” Wright said.
A Conduit to Educational Opportunities
Eldemire counseled Wright that once she had her bachelor’s in business administration, earning a master’s degree would open manifold career opportunities for a student with Wright’s intelligence and drive. The dean suggested Wright explore that possibility in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville‘s Haslam College of Business. Haslam’s Office of Access and Community Connections (OACC) recently established an HBCU Initiative to establish mutually beneficial relationships with HBCUs.
Through this initiative, it formed a partnership with Allen University to bring promising students to the business college. Undergraduate students from Allen University took part in campus visits to learn about graduate program opportunities available within Haslam and UT. Wright was the first student to enroll at Haslam through the partnership with Allen.
“Once I applied to the Haslam College of Business and had my tour, I knew then that I would be able to call Haslam a home away from my home,” Wright said. “I was greeted with nothing but hospitality, ambition and respect from everyone I encountered. Throughout my time at Haslam, I encountered so many great professors, colleagues, faculty and cohort members.”
Impressive Academic Performance Opens Career Path
Wright took full advantage of the opportunities Haslam offered. While pursuing an M.S. in management and human resources (MSMHR), she served on the search committee for a new OACC coordinator role, assisted with the Haslam weekly newsletter and participated in the 2023 PhD Project Conference. She also worked as a graduate teaching assistant at Haslam and as a human resources intern with International Paper in Valliant, Oklahoma.
Jackie Jacobs, distinguished lecturer and the director of Haslam’s MSMHR program in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, regards Wright as a perfect example of someone with a clear view of her professional goals who worked diligently to achieve those.
“She has been a pleasure to work with and is an excellent role model for students who are interested in furthering their education to advance their careers,” Jacobs said. “Her success in the MSMHR program and its impact on her career opportunities demonstrate the value of a graduate degree from the Haslam College of Business.”
Wright’s diligence and application in the program paid off in a big way. International Paper was so impressed by her internship performance that the company offered her a full-time position.
“Nyah originally planned to complete the MSMHR program on the part-time path, but when she received the offer to start her career with International Paper immediately after her summer internship, it was too good to pass up,” Jacob explained. “She took advantage of our innovative Learn from Anywhere option and completed her last two classes remotely and graduated a semester early.”
“I was able to secure a full-time job as a HR business partner with International Paper before I graduated through the great connections that I built during my time in Knoxville,” Wright added. “My time at Haslam has prepared me for a bright future ahead.”
A Promising Start
Clarence Vaughn, the OACC director, believes Wright perfectly exemplifies the mission of Haslam’s HBCU Initiative.
“Nyah’s passion for education and sharing the possibilities education can provide makes her an ideal representative of Haslam, Allen and our HBCU Initiative,” Vaughn expressed. “We are so proud of her gaining her degree and launching her career at International Paper. We know she will go on to great accomplishments and serve as a great ambassador for the many students who follow her to Haslam through the HBCU Initiative.”
Wright was sad to leave the college, but she looks forward to what the future holds, saying, “While I hate to leave my Vols family, I must continue my career and education so I can encourage more college students on the importance of obtaining a master’s and tell them why the Haslam family is a great family!”
CONTACT:
Scott McNutt, business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu
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