Seven Coppin State Students Selected for 2026 TMCF Leadership Institute

Coppin scholars join HBCU students from across the nation for leadership and career development experience in Washington, D.C.

BALTIMORE – Seven Coppin State University students were selected to participate in the highly competitive 2026 Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute, a national program designed to develop the next generation of leaders from historically Black colleges and universities.

The Coppin scholars are Amahlah Dorceus, Courtnay Washington Jr., Dynali Abin, Jaden Gross, Jazmyn Dunn, Raymond A. Barlow III, and Ibrahima Adija.

The students were selected from a competitive national applicant pool for the Leadership Institute, held September 9-12 in Washington, D.C. The annual experience brought together approximately 500 students from 44 HBCUs for leadership development, professional preparation, networking, and engagement with business and industry leaders.

“We are extremely proud to have seven Coppin State University students selected for this prestigious opportunity,” said Loretta Nartey Baryeh, Ph.D. “Their selection reflects the talent, determination, and potential of our students. Experiences like the TMCF Leadership Institute give our scholars an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and prepare for the opportunities that await them after graduation.”

The Leadership Institute is TMCF’s flagship professional development program and is designed to prepare students to compete in today’s global workforce. Participants engage in workshops, professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and career-focused programming while building relationships with fellow HBCU scholars from across the country.

Meet Coppin’s TMCF Scholars

Amahlah Dorceus

Junior | Business Marketing

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Career Aspiration: Secure a summer 2027 internship that leads to a full-time position after graduation

Dorceus is a junior Business Marketing major from Philadelphia. Dorceus hopes to secure a summer 2027 internship that can lead to a full-time position following graduation. At the Leadership Institute, Dorceus interviewed with several companies for potential internships and participated in additional networking opportunities with corporate representatives.

“What I valued most was the opportunity to connect with other HBCU student leaders who share the same drive and ambition,” Dorceus said. “I left the Institute feeling inspired and grateful for the people and opportunities I encountered.”

Courtnay Washington Jr.

Senior | Marketing

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Career Aspiration: Content marketing and internal business consulting

Washington is a senior Marketing major from Baltimore. Washington aspires to become a content marketer and internal business consultant, combining marketing expertise with an interest in helping organizations strengthen business strategy and operations.

“At the Leadership Institute, I learned the importance of building relationships and making meaningful connections because those connections can be beneficial throughout your career,” Washington said. “I also learned to challenge feelings of imposter syndrome. I earned my place in that space through leadership, perseverance, and knowledge.”

Dynali Abin

Senior | Management Information Systems

Hometown: Prince George’s County, Maryland

Career Aspiration: Business and technology leadership

Abin is a senior Management Information Systems major from Prince George’s County. Abin aspires to build a career at the intersection of business and technology, with a long-term goal of advancing into a leadership role in product management, technology or business operations.

“What I valued most about the Leadership Institute was the opportunity to network and connect with students and emerging leaders from HBCUs,” Abin said. “Every conversation, session and experience encouraged me to continue putting my best foot forward and reminded me that I deserve to be in every room I step into. Connecting with companies and industry professionals also opened doors to full-time career opportunities and expanded my professional network.”

Jaden Gross

Junior | Marketing

Hometown: Prince George’s County, Maryland

Career Aspiration: Experiential marketing and brand strategy

Gross is a junior Marketing major from Prince George’s County. Gross aspires to build a career in marketing with a focus on experiential marketing and brand strategy, creating meaningful experiences that connect people with organizations and brands.

“What I valued most from the Leadership Institute was the opportunity to learn from leaders and connect with other students who are equally driven to create impact,” Gross said. “The experience challenged me to think beyond simply preparing for a career and instead think about the kind of leader I want to become. I especially valued the conversations, relationships and opportunities that encouraged me to be more intentional about using my skills, experiences and voice to create opportunities for others.”

Jazmyn Dunn

Junior | Business Management

Hometown: Prince George’s County, Maryland

Career Aspiration: Fashion, beauty and wellness industries

Dunn is a junior Business Management major with career interests in the fashion, beauty and wellness industries. Dunn hopes to apply a business management background to opportunities within those fields while continuing to develop as a leader and advocate for others.

“What I valued most from the Leadership Institute was the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, connect with professionals and other students, and gain a broader perspective on the possibilities available to me,” Dunn said. “The experience encouraged me to become more intentional about my career interests in fashion, beauty and wellness while recognizing how my Business Management background can contribute to those industries. Most importantly, I learned the value of using my voice, sharing my ideas and advocating for opportunities not only for myself, but for the students who come after me.”

Raymond A. Barlow III

Junior | Business Management

Hometown: York, Pennsylvania

Career Aspiration: Operations and supply chain management

Barlow is a junior Business Management major from York, Pennsylvania. He plans to build a career in operations and supply chain management, with a focus on leadership, project management and creating efficient business operations.

“What I valued most from the TMCF Leadership Institute was the opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills, network with other motivated students and professionals, and gain knowledge that I can apply to my career and leadership roles on campus,” Barlow said.

Ibrahima Adija

Senior | Management Information Systems | Minor in Marketing

Hometown: Germantown, Maryland

Career Aspiration: Strategy and data science in the banking industry

Adija, a senior majoring in Management Information Systems with a minor in Marketing, aspires to pursue a strategy role in the banking industry and ultimately become a data scientist. Participation in TMCF programs has already helped Adija build relationships with recruiters and access professional opportunities.

“I value the opportunities TMCF has given me and the ability to reconnect with recruiters I met through other TMCF programs,” Adija said. “I secured an internship after attending the Leadership Institute last year, and this year, my participation has led to additional interviews.”

Preparing Eagles for What’s Next

The selection of seven Coppin students reflects the University’s commitment to connecting students with opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom and prepare them for success after graduation.

Throughout the Leadership Institute, students participated in career-focused programming designed to strengthen leadership, communication, networking and professional readiness. The experience also connected Coppin students with a broader community of HBCU scholars from across the nation.

For Coppin’s seven scholars, the Leadership Institute was more than a professional development conference. It was an opportunity to demonstrate preparation, represent Eagle Nation and build relationships that can help shape future careers.