N.C. A&T Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics

Spring Career Fair is Here! Are You Ready? Attention Willie A. Deese College of Business & Economics students, today is the big day! The Spring Career Fair is happening from 12:00 - 5:00 PM at the Alumni Foundation Event Center and Corbett Sports Center. This is your chance to connect with top employers, network with industry professionals, and explore job and internship opportunities! Here are some last-minute tips to help you stand out: ? Dress Professionally – First impressions matter! Business professional attire is recommended. ? Bring Multiple Copies of Your Resume – Have at least 5-10 copies ready for recruiters. ? Perfect Your Elevator Pitch – Be prepared to introduce yourself confidently in 30 seconds or less. ? Research Companies in Advance – Show your interest by learning about the employers attending. ? Ask Thoughtful Questions – Demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm about roles and company culture. ? Follow Up – Collect business cards and connect on LinkedIn with a personalized message. ?? Make the most of this opportunity! Let’s show recruiters what Aggie Business Leaders are made of! ???? #AggiePride #CareerFair #BusinessSuccess #Networking #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerReady

This experience has been enriching for me as it’s a blessing and honor to get to pour into our future leaders from N.C. A&T Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics ! Michelin will be lucky to retain any of these young leaders as contributors to our organization. A special shoutout goes to my mentees, Alyvia Polite, Avery Betts, and Daylana Briggs !! These ladies are exceptionally bright, curious, and motivated to succeed. As always, it was a pleasure to work with my co-mentor, Mark Earl Warren. With both of us being “Girl Dads,” we both knew this group of ladies would go above and beyond… and they did!!

About a month ago, the Michelin Career Fair Prep Workshop was hosted here in the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, providing students with essential tools to maximize their career fair experience. The event offered a wealth of resources, including expert advice on crafting the perfect elevator pitch, polishing resumes, and preparing for internships and job opportunities with Michelin. One of the standout moments of the workshop was the recognition of the Michelin Mentoring Program. We were excited to honor both the mentors and mentees for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to personal and professional growth. The mentorship program continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Mentees: - Alyvia Polite - Avery Betts - Carter Long - Chiadika Oputa - Daylana Briggs - Jahmad Rose - Jo’Zyra Riddick - Kelsey H. - Khediga Omer - Kristiana Forrest - Lydia Morales - Shannon Battle - Zayveon Davis - Zy'Era Salam Mentors: - Andrew Stephens - Anton Thomas - Brandon Rice - Caroline Bena-Varnier - Chris Tolbert - Derrick Greenhill - Desmond Hall - Erica Brown - Gianny Malemusa - Jalisa L. Haggard - Jermaine Taylor - Marco Holt - Mark Earl Warren - Natoya Campbell - Rosalen Harris - Tamara Walters Thank you to Michelin for sponsoring this event and for providing such a valuable experience for our students. We look forward to more impactful collaborations in the future!

We are proud to recognize Kenneth Merritt, an esteemed alumnus of North Carolina A&T State University, for his outstanding contributions to organizational strategy, leadership development, and corporate transformation. Mr. Merritt earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Willie A. Deese College of Business & Economics (Deese COBE) at North Carolina A&T and later obtained an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. With nearly 30 years of strategic experience, he has advised Board-level and C-Suite leaders on aligning strategic goals, enhancing organizational capabilities, and strengthening leadership excellence. Currently he is the Founder & Managing Partner for Merritt Advisory Group, LLC.? Mr. Merritt specializes in organizational strategy, guiding financial services, consumer, industrial, and private equity firms through enterprise-wide transformations. His deep expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has enabled him to counsel organizations on advancing corporate equality through strategic and operational improvements. Beyond his corporate impact, Mr. Merritt serves on multiple non-profit boards and is a proud member of the Deese COBE Executive Advisory Council (EAC), where he works alongside fellow industry leaders to provide strategic insights for the institution and mentorship for students. Thank you, Mr. Merritt, for your commitment to excellence, service, and leadership. Your dedication to advancing corporate strategy and equity continues to inspire the next generation of business leaders at North Carolina A&T. ???? #AggiePride #Leadership #BusinessExcellence

Our N.C. A&T Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics students leading in their communities. #AggiesDo

Two weeks ago, the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics hosted the COBE Leadership Summit, bringing together student leaders for a transformative day of learning and networking. Held in Craig Hall and Merrick Auditorium, the summit featured interactive sessions designed to enhance leadership skills and professional development. Attendees participated in a Leadership Style Quiz, Goal-Setting & Vision Board Workshop, and a professional Headshot Session helping them identify their strengths, set future goals, and build their personal brands. The event also included a COBE "Real Talk" session, where students engaged in candid discussions with guest speakers, gaining real-world insights into leadership and business success. A special thank you to our student leaders, and all COBE organizations who made this event a success! We look forward to continuing to foster the next generation of business leaders. ?? Tag us in your LinkedIn posts showcasing your new headshots and leadership takeaways! #COBELeadershipSummit #DeeseCollegeOfBusiness #NCAT #BuildingLeaders #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #FutureBusinessLeaders

Chuck Burch CPA/PFS, CFP?, is a proud North Carolina A&T State University graduate and dedicated advocate for education, mentorship, and community impact. Recognizing the power of education, Mr. Burch established The Chuck Burch Scholarship Fund (CBSF) in 2000, providing financial assistance to incoming freshmen at North Carolina A&T from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. To date, CBSF has awarded over $315,000 in scholarships to more than 200 students and organizations, creating life-changing opportunities for future leaders. Beyond financial support, Mr. Burch is deeply committed to mentorship and community engagement. Through fundraising events like golf tournaments and roller-skating parties, he not only raises scholarship funds but also fosters a strong network of support for students pursuing higher education. His work has connected countless students with funding opportunities, universities, and invaluable career resources. During Black History Month, we recognize Mr. Burch’s continued dedication to empowering students, as well as the DFW North Carolina A&T Alumni and the DFW Alliance of Black School Educators, who share in this mission of academic excellence and student success. Thank you, Mr. Burch, for your leadership, generosity, and commitment to educational empowerment. Your impact continues to inspire, uplift, and pave the way for future generations of Aggies and beyond. ?? For more information about the Chuck Burch Scholarship Fund and how to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/eMEeeY4t #AggiePride #Leadership #EducationalExcellence #Mentorship #Scholarship #HBCUExcellence

Today, I had the opportunity to present on how to manage stress to the Deese College Leadership Development Program and the program's partners at Toyota Motor Corporation. As a participant in Cohort 2 of the Deese College Leadership Development Program, I was able to utilize the skills I learned to create this presentation and continue teaching other student leaders within the N.C. A&T Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics. During my presentation, participants explored the importance of understanding stress—both positive (eustress) and negative (distress)—and discussed effective stress management strategies for leaders. Through an interactive group activity, participants engaged in real-world, high-stress scenarios, learning how to navigate pressure and support their teams with clarity, resilience, and composure. A huge thank you to Dr. Jason Caldwell and Dr. Kimberly L. Heckstall, DM, MSOL for allowing me to present this to emerging professionals. Stress management is such an important skill for leaders, and I truly believe that learning how to handle pressure effectively makes all the difference. #LeadershipDevelopment #StressManagement #ToyotaLeadership #ResilientLeadership #DeeseCollege #ProfessionalGrowth

Students, are you ready to challenge yourself, enhance your business skills, and compete for cash prizes? The Shell Energy Business Case Competition 2025 is the perfect opportunity for students in the College of Business & Economics and the College of Engineering to put their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to the test! This competition allows students to work on a real-world business case, collaborate with a professional client, and compete for cash prizes up to $5,000! Plus, the 1st place team will advance to the University Level Shell Case Competition in Houston, TX, with all expenses covered! Key Dates: ?? Feb 27 – Application Deadline ?? Feb 28 – Kickoff/Q&A Meeting ?? Mar 19 – Case Submission Deadline ?? Mar 24 – In-Person Case Competition Don’t miss this opportunity to gain real-world experience, showcase your talents, and connect with industry leaders. Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eTdVscTk #DeeseCollegeOfBusiness #ShellCaseCompetition #BusinessLeadership #EngineeringAndBusiness #CaseCompetition #ProfessionalGrowth #AggiePride

We celebrate Dr. Willie Deese, a visionary leader and dedicated advocate for education. Dr. Deese graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in Business Administration. He went on to become Executive Vice President of Manufacturing at Merck & Co., Inc., leading global pharmaceutical operations.? Beyond his career, Dr. Deese has remained committed to his alma mater and community, supporting scholarships and mentorship programs to uplift future business leaders. He has served on the Board of Trustees at North Carolina A&T, including a term as chair 2011 to 2013. He currently serves as the Chair of the Executive Advisory Committee playing a key role in the business college’s growth and development. His legacy is cemented through the Willie A. Deese College of Business & Economics and by providing more than 300 partial and full scholarships to A&T students ensuring generations to come have access to quality education. Thank you, Dr. Deese, for paving the way and embodying the very principles of leadership and service. As you have stated, “I want my ceiling to be the floor for the current generation of College of Business and Economics students.” Your dedication, generosity, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire and empower students to reach new heights. ???? #AggiePride #Leadership #BusinessExcellence