Nahom Tekle from Cohort 24 graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business in 2016 – but his impact is still here! One of his major accomplishments as an undergraduate student at Smith was participating in the Smith Business Academy (SBA), and he has come full circle, working to expand SBA to other schools today.
The Smith Business Academy is a student-run program for minority men within the business school. Based on national standards, minority men have a historically lower graduation rate, and SBA wants to overcome this. By following their founding intention – “Building men with distinction” – SBA focuses on creating a supportive community where personal and professional development is promoted.
Tekle speaking at a recent Smith Business Academy event
The program has rigorous standards, such as requiring an internship every summer, business professional attire every meeting, and so on. However, this is to “create a sense of belonging in the pursuit of excellence,” cleverly stated by Tekle.
Although Tekle graduated from the Smith School with a degree in finance, he soon realized that it is not exactly what he wanted to do. Straight out of college, he worked for Capital One, where he was in the rotational program, meaning he was able to see different aspects of finance – like risk management and commercial banking. He liked the fact he was able to move around, but soon understood that finance was not the path for him.
Smith Business Academy Event
Tekle decided to move in the direction that he was most passionate about, which turned out to be in the nonprofit sector! He reached out to the founder of a program that he was a part of in high school – Brothers Academy. After talking with the founder, Tekle soon became the successor!
Currently, Tekle is working as an Executive Director at the Abramson Scholarship Foundation, which supports DC students entering college. While working full time there, he also is a volunteer Board Member of The Business Academy.
The purpose of The Business Academy is to “build self sustaining communities of excellence,” like SBA, in other schools. The board is expanding the program to NYU with help from former Smith School Dean Victor Mullins.
When asked about advice for others in the QUEST program, he gave these great tips:
- Take risks in your 20s!
- Keep in touch with your mentors & don’t be fearful.
- Continue to believe in yourself.
We wish him luck with his journey as he explores his passions and expands SBA to other colleges.