VA has a strong network of individuals who attended Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), and we’re working to build better lines of communication among current VA team members, as well as with the next generation of prospective VA employees.
Recently, Kendra Lee, associate director of VA Bedford, and Shannon Jordan, engagement and workforce diversity lead in VA’s Office of Health Equity, sat down with VA Careers’ “Talk About It Tuesday” host Mike Owens to discuss their HBCU experiences and how those experiences
Kendra Lee, FAMU grad
Lee, who also serves on an all-females executive leadership team at VA, was a graduate of Florida A&M University, where she earned a Master of Business Administration degree with a focus in accounting before attending law school in Chicago and ultimately coming to VA.
“FAMU was best decision I ever made,” she shared. “I grew a lot while I was there. I made some of my best friends there. I learned a lot there. It was a wonderful experience. I still go to Homecoming there, and I still love to go to Homecoming.”
Lee further described her HBCU experience by discussing FAMU’s logo, which bears the words, “Heart, Head, Hand, Field.” She said that her time at the university, and her instructors, instilled those qualities in her, and encouraged her to put all of herself into what she wanted to do.
“You want to be passionate about what you do, you want to be smart about what you do. You want to work hard, and you want to make sure it has a long-lasting impact,” she explained. “Those characteristics prepared me to work for an organization that has high reliability principles, and that is VA.”
For current attendees and recent graduates, she offered some pertinent and helpful advice, directing them to build a network and to not be afraid to reach out to people to learn more about the work they do.
“A lot of people would love to give you more information,” she said. “Reach out, because building those relationships is very key, and it can be something very simple. Something like, ‘Hey, I saw your profile, and your job is something I’m looking to do. Would you have 30 minutes to talk to me about it?’”
Shannon Jordan, graduate of Howard
Jordan attended Howard University, a decision she said had its roots in seeing HBCUs represented on television, rather than in person.
“I grew up in the Midwest, and we didn’t have HBCUs in Michigan,” she said, “but I had family up and down the east coast, and that gave me the opportunity to learn more about different locations and universities. I spent a lot of time in Washington, D.C., and Howard fit everything I was looking for.”
Jordan credits Howard’s motto, “Truth and Service,” with helping shape her outlook and her interest in giving back to Veterans through a career at VA. She also learned a lot, from both curriculum and university culture, that has served her well in her career.
“A lot of what you pick up at HBCUs will serve you well at VA,” she said. “That integrity ingrained in you, the belief in using your education and gifts to serve the greater good. The grit you develop, you find ways to learn what you need to learn, accomplish whatever you need to accomplish. Maybe you don’t have as many resources as other places, but you get the job done.”
In her advice to new graduates, whether HBCU grads or not, Jordan echoed two common refrains shared by Owens with the “TAIT” audience: perseverance and commitment.
“Do not be discouraged,” she insisted. “VA is in high demand, and our positions can sometimes receive several hundred applications. So don’t be discouraged. I applied for many positions that I felt lined up with my academic preparation, my work experience, and my passion, and trusted that I would end up where I was supposed to be.”
HBCU Grads on LinkedIn
Both Lee and Jordan took time to mention the “HBCU Graduates at VA” group on LinkedIn, a social networking opportunity for VA employees who graduated from HBCUs, as well as for current HBCU students.
This hub on LinkedIn offers an organic space that strengthens our internal networks and highlights the stories and successes of HBCU alumni within VA, allowing us to not only recognize recruiting efforts within the HBCU community at VA, but also enhance those efforts by building a diverse network of employees and connecting them with upcoming graduates.
“Take advantage of the group,” Lee said. “Reach out.”
Work at VA
“There’s one mission at VA,” said Jordan, “and we need great people.” Learn more about our mission and how we encourage you to be your authentic self in your VA career.
- JOIN our HBCU Graduates at VA LinkedIn group.
- EXPLORE VA’s diversity efforts.
- LEARN about our mission to care for Veterans.
- SEARCH for a VA career near you.
