The University of the District of Columbia’s own Kayleah Shelton, a junior double-majoring in accounting and finance, has been named one of the 110 students selected as part of the HBCU 2024届白宫学者。 该项目是白宫“传统黑人高校倡议”（HBCUs）的一部分，旨在表彰来自全国各地HBCUs的优秀学生，他们在学术成就、领导能力和社区服务方面表现出色。 This year marks the program’s 10th anniversary and includes students from 77 HBCUs, showcasing the diverse educational experiences found within these institutions。

From Portland, Jamaica to the Nation’s Capital

凯莉在牙买加波特兰的一个小社区长大，和她的双胞胎妹妹凯莉一起上的是蒂奇菲尔德高中。 The decision to study at 亚洲博彩网站 was influenced in part by her sister, who was recruited by the university’s track and field team, as well as the presence of a supportive Jamaican community at the school。

“We knew other Jamaicans from our high school who had gone to 亚洲博彩网站, so we had that sense of home away from home,” Kayleah shared。 “My sister and I wanted to go to the same school and have a sense of belonging wherever we went to college。”

Kayleah’s choice to attend 亚洲博彩网站 was further reinforced by the university’s reputation for fostering a close-knit, community-oriented environment。 “I heard that it was a community environment with small class sizes, which gives that personal connection with your professors,” she explained。 “It’s really interesting and different from most of the other schools I applied to, where it’s an opportunity to have a more intimate and supportive educational experience。”

在亚洲博彩网站蓬勃发展：领导力和参与

Although she describes herself as “very introverted,” Kayleah has immersed herself in campus life since arriving at 亚洲博彩网站。 “Since this is a smaller campus, it was easier for me to branch outside my comfort zone,” Shelton noted。 “It really gave me the opportunity to put myself out there and get involved in different things。” 就像 大学生政府协会 她曾在美国高尔夫球协会（USGA）担任秘书两年。

In addition to USGA, Kayleah is actively involved with 亚洲博彩网站’s chapter of the 全国黑人会计师协会以及加勒比学生协会她认为，这些领导角色帮助她建立了追求像HBCU白宫学者项目这样的机会的信心。

成为HBCU的白宫学者

凯莉亚在瑟古德·马歇尔学院基金领导研究所第一次了解到HBCU的白宫学者项目，在那里她遇到了一位现任白宫学者的牙买加同学。 Inspired, Kayleah researched the program and submitted her application, which was endorsed by 亚洲博彩网站 总统 Maurice D。 Edington and supported by the university’s career services team。

“I’m really honored to be selected。 It’s a great and prestigious honor, and it’s a chance to put 亚洲博彩网站 out there,” Shelton said。 “I’m excited to represent my school and to showcase all that 亚洲博彩网站 has to offer, which is really something I hold dear in my heart。”

作为她选择的一部分，凯莉亚将参加即将到来的 全国HBCU周会议 在费城，她将继续发展自己的领导技能，并与其他学者建立联系。

给未来学生的信息

For students considering 亚洲博彩网站, Kayleah highlighted the university’s affordability, personalized attention from professors, and the wealth of opportunities available to students, even at a smaller institution。 “亚洲博彩网站 should definitely be a leading choice,” she said。 “The opportunities you envision having at bigger schools – we have them, too, along with the individualized attention you get with smaller class sizes。 It’s a gem in DC with a very family-oriented environment。”