Dillard University student, Marina Banks ('16) was one of eighty-three students who attended the HBCU All-Star Induction in September during the HBCU Week Conference in Washington, DC. For two days Banks mixed with some of the best and brightest students, who represented seventy different HBCUs across the nation. Moreover, Vice President Joe Biden and the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan were also in attendance to discuss the importance of HBCUs' role in the economy. The summit worked to advance President Barack Obama's Executive Order 13532, promoting excellence, innovation and sustainability at historically black colleges and universities.
"The conference was a great way to network with other top HBCU students and companies that want to help out minority students," Banks said. As a student ambassador, she serves as a liaison between Dillard and the federal government. President Walter Kimbrough expressed his excitement about her accomplishment as well as what it means for Dillard. For the first two years of this new program Dillard has had students selected each year and Kimbrough said that meets his expectations. He also commended Banks' involvement on and off campus, including several exceptional internship experiences such as working with the UNCF. "She is a very gifted woman and will have a tremendous professional career," said President Dr. Kimbrough.
Banks, a graduating senior majoring in Sociology, grew up on the west coast, in Pasadena, Calif. She began her academic career at Dillard University in 2012, after receiving a Dean's Scholarship. From an early age, Banks has wanted to attend law school and help people. She said: "I majored in sociology because I have a passion for improving the social issues in our society."
Dillard University website
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