INROADS December 2015 Newsletter

Greetings INROADS Alumni and Friends:
As the New National Director of Alumni Engagement, it gives me great pleasure to serve
INROADS. I am excited about the possibilities before us and take very seriously the
promise of our organization’s founder “to develop and place talented underserved youth
in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership.”
INROADS continues to celebrate 45 years of transforming lives, careers, communities
and corporate leadership, and we’ve raised the bar this fiscal year. In addition to
recruiting on college campuses and preparing students for summer 2016 internships, we
also are looking for new companies to expand our selection of internship options. Help
recruit candidates, train students and secure new business opportunities. You are
instrumental in helping our scholars achieve their goals and prepare for life after
graduation. We appreciate the time, talent and treasure you invest; no effort is too
small.
With funding from a $250,000 MetLife grant, we will implement the INROADS Alumni
for Life initiative — a strategic, evidence-based approach to generate more alumni
engagement and participation. The strategies include:
1. Improving our alumni database
2. Increasing stewardship, advocacy and volunteerism
3. Launching the e-mentoring initiative
4. Enhancing communications and relationships
5. Boosting alumni attendance at special events
6. Increasing traffic to the alumni community website
7. Building a culture of philanthropy among alumni and our scholars
These strategies will drive my efforts, but I need your help. Please choose one — or more
— of the strategies and join me in making the alumni organization as powerful as it can
be.
In this edition, you will find some great information, and opportunities to share your
stories and recommendations in the following sections, including:

• Events & Campaigns highlights the INROADS Summer Agriculture Institute
agribusiness immersion experience for high school students, sponsored by
Monsanto; Pacific Region’s 45 th Anniversary celebration; and Atlanta Chapter’s
new Alumni Association leadership team.
• INROADS in the News celebrates accomplishments of alumni, interns,
corporate partners and staff as reported in various media outlets.
• Morgan Stanley Finance Center explains why and how to plan for the
possibility of incapacity.
• Alumni Features focuses on Todd Corley, visionary, diversity champion and
now, book author. It also features personal testimonies from alumni on the value
of INROADS to them, as well as profiles of two current interns.
• Alumni Survey Results summarizes your answers to our questions about the
services and products you want.
This is only the beginning. There is so much more on the horizon for INROADS and our
alumni. Please feel free to contact me at shill@INROADS.org or 404-414-6645 if I can
be of service to you or your Alumni Chapter.
—Seddrick T. Hill, Sr.

Message from the President & CEO
Business management writer Tom Peters said,
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” As we head
into a new year, I’m going to take his advice.
I celebrate the visionary, Frank Carr, who made
INROADS a reality. I celebrate 45 years of INROADS
transforming lives, careers, communities and Corporate
America. I celebrate all the people — interns, staff,
corporate partners, donors and alumni — whose time,
energy and resources have made those years possible.
So, this New Year’s Eve, I’ll be celebrating visionaries,
decades of transformation and engagement because
those are the things I want to see more of. Truth is, I
already do.
It takes a lot of people with a lot of commitment to do the work INROADS does. And
despite all we’ve done, there are many more lives, careers, communities and
corporations to touch. We need your help, and nobody knows better than you the true
value of the leadership development, access and opportunity INROADS provides.
You’re proof the mission is right. Please help us keep the mission alive and active. Our
new National Director of Alumni Engagement, Seddrick Hill, is working to make it
easier to engage, re-engage or further engage. I hope you will.
Leading this amazing organization is not a job — it’s a privilege. Each day, I have the
good fortune not only to see firsthand what great people can accomplish when they
believe in the right mission, but also to play a role in directing and supporting both
those great people and that right mission. Thank you for allowing me to join you on the
amazing INROADS journey.
Thank you. It’s an honor to continue serving as your President & CEO. This
organization is truly a special place.
Happy New Year.
—Forest T. Harper, Jr.

Message from the Chair of the National Board
of Directors
As 2015 winds down, I am thankful for another year’s
opportunity to serve the outstanding young people, alumni and
strategic and community partners that make up the INROADS
family.
Think about why you joined this family and why young people
join today: You wanted to excel and INROADS provided the
tools and intellectual foundation to do just that. At the same
time, you became an agent of change in Corporate America
and the community. In this global age, a more culturally
diverse network of leaders benefits us all.
Access to opportunity and leadership development has always
been gateways to success, and INROADS remains committed
to its mission to provide them. As an alumnus, I have a personal perspective on that
mission and that perspective shapes my ultimate goal for the National Board: To
nurture and further INROADS as a mission-driven leadership development
organization.
This organization — our organization — truly is special. It deserves our stewardship
now and going forward. I am extremely grateful for the support of all our stakeholders,
but, like the mission, I have a personal sense of gratitude to you, my fellow alumni. As
INROADS’ embarks on its alumni outreach efforts, I ask you to become even more
involved, whether you volunteer your time, testimony or treasure. Personally, I’m
thrilled to give all three. I’ve processed my 2015 financial gift to INROADS; I
encourage you to do the same.
Dream big and embrace a bold future for INROADS. Then, step up and lean in to make
that dream a reality. Start with this newsletter by catching up on what’s happening at
INROADS and leaning in on those areas where you’re inspired to help.
And welcome Seddrick Hill, our new National Director of Alumni Engagement.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
—Jeffery S. Perry

INROADS Summer Agriculture Institute
sponsored By Monsanto
By Leah Bernstein
! !
Dinner has a whole new level of meaning for a select group of local high school students.
As participants in the INROADS Summer Agriculture Institute sponsored by Monsanto,
the 12 students had a unique opportunity to explore the business of agriculture, from its
challenges and opportunities to its emerging strategies for feeding a hungry planet. The
brainchild of Steven Mizell — EVP Human Resources at Monsanto and Harlan Hodge,
Manager of INROADS Midwest Region — this six-week program is designed to create a
pipeline of agriculture professionals.
The Agriculture Institute is a two-summer immersion experience that combines
classroom instruction, on-site visits, science experiments, professional development and
career shadowing to develop awareness among high school students of the variety of
promising careers available in agriculture. Participants learn from agronomists, data
scientists, business professionals and INROADS instructors.

“This program is emblematic of INROADS 45-year history of matching high caliber
candidates with high caliber corporate partners willing to provide hands-on
opportunities for our future leaders,” said Forest Harper, President and CEO of
INROADS, Inc. “We are grateful to Monsanto for once again helping INROADS
transform lives and communities.”
Students said they gained a deeper understanding of and increased interest in pursuing
agriculture-related careers, as well as valuable exposure to some of the soft skills
necessary for navigating the workplace. In addition to a $1,000 stipend, students were
allowed to use a new laptop computer, and invited to “borrow” it for the school year.
Monsanto made a $150,000 commitment to ensure the success of the program. In
addition, students are primary contenders for Monsanto’s Student Scholarship that
provides up to $10,000 for undergraduate studies.
A highlight for the students was a visit to the campus of Southeast Missouri State
University as the guest of Trent Ball, Associate Dean of Students and TRiO Programs.
While there, they met university president, Dr. Carlos Vargas. As a result of the meeting,
Dr. Vargas is expanding SEMO’s INROADS Scholars Grant, earmarked exclusively for
college students in the INROADS program. A next step for the INROADS/Monsanto
Agriculture Institute is incorporating St. Louis Community College’s Plant Sciences
facility for further study.
For information on the INROADS/Monsanto Agriculture Institute, contact, Harlan
Hodge, INROADS Midwest Region Manager, at 314-655-1504 or
HHodge@INROADS.org.

INROADS Pacific Region
45th Anniversary Celebration
INROADS Pacific Region hosted its 45th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday,
December 3. A great time for clients, alumni, friends and INROADS staff to mix and
mingle. It was a successful event that raised over $40,000. Aera Energy, Kaiser
Permanente and Chevron were Anniversary Partners; City National Bank, Wells Fargo
and California Community Foundation also contributed. Anthony Mays received the
Alumni Impact Award for his efforts to raise almost $30,000 from his Google family for
the INROADS Pacific Region.

Atlanta Chapter of INROADS
Alumni Association
The INROADS Alumni Association — Atlanta is excited to announce its new executive
leadership team that will take office beginning in 2016. During the past three years, this
chapter has focused on providing outstanding engagement, mentoring, and professional
development initiatives to enrich the lives of the Atlanta area alumni, interns and
community as a whole. We are truly grateful to the current leadership team for their
efforts in both re-launching and laying the foundation for this chapter back in 2012. We
look forward to another year of growth and momentum with this chapter in 2016!
Michael Williams
President
Estuardo Rojas
Vice President
Lynnetta Johnson
Treasurer
Selena McLaurin
Secretary
Andrew McDonald
Networking/PD Chair
Emmanuella Belzince
Mentoring Chair

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INROADS Announces Top 10 Strategic
Corporate Partners
Companies Bring Social Impact to STEM and Business
Workplace Diversification
ST. LOUIS, MO (November 18, 2015) — INROADS, Inc. — a multicultural
nonprofit whose mission is leadership development, career preparation and creating
opportunity for talented, underserved youth — recently announced its Top 10 Strategic
Corporate Partners.
“Proactive and progressive companies build a natural ecosystem of talent to fill their
workplace needs for the future,” said Forest Harper, President and CEO of INROADS,
Inc. in a recent article. “By doing so with INROADS, the Top 10 are making a social
and economic impact beyond their own companies, transforming lives and
communities.”
Selected based on the number of INROADS internships they sponsored this year, the
2015 INROADS Top 10 Strategic Corporate Partners are:
1. United Technologies Corporation
2. Travelers
3. Kaiser Permanente
4. MetLife
5. PricewaterhouseCoopers
6. Blue Cross and Blue Shield
7. JC Penney
8. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
9. KPMG International
10. Wells Fargo & Company
Increasingly, these Top 10 companies are looking to INROADS for diverse STEM
(science, technology, engineering and math) talent. Over the past five years, the Top 10
have filled nearly 40 percent of their INROADS internships with STEM majors. In so
doing, they have had a measurable effect on STEM diversity in the workplace: 47
percent of their interns were women, 40 percent were African American and 25
percent were Hispanic/Latino.
“When one considers the diversity numbers and percentages reported by leading
technology companies — fewer than 100 diverse employees, less than two percent —
the five year aggregates of INROADS’ Top 10 are astounding,” notes Harper.
“Finding and developing talented, economically disadvantaged youth — often the first
in their families to attend college — has a dual impact: Improving lives and
communities, while increasing the country’s proficiency in science and math to
mitigate the projected shortage of 1 million technology workers.”
About INROADS
Founded in 1970, INROADS develops and places talented underserved youth in
business and industry, preparing them for corporate and community leadership that
effects community renewal and social change and elevates economic status and quality
of life. INROADS has placed students in over 127,000 paid internships throughout its
history, and graduated over 27,000 alumni into full-time professional and leadership
positions with over 1,000 corporate partners. Currently, INROADS serves nearly 1,500
interns and 230 corporate clients. To learn more, visit www.INROADS.org.

2015
ALUMNI SURVEY
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Thanks for your participation in our 2015 Alumni Survey. You spoke,
and we heard you. Our goal was to discover and understand your
highest needs, offer you the most up-to-date information and plan
ahead for the future.
We wanted to understand three major subjects:
• What our Alumni think of INROADS, and how we can better serve them.
• How our Alumni have progressed in their careers.
• How our Alumni want to interact with and give back to INROADS.
We had a total of 686 responses. Key findings include:
• Of our Alumni that responded, 84.4% are employed full time.
• Forty-seven percent went to work for their sponsoring companies, and
38.0 % worked at the sponsoring company for at least 2-4 years.
• Ten percent pursued an advanced degree.
Our Alumni associated INROADS as being:
• A way to close the opportunity gap
• Meaningful internship opportunities
• Good reputation with corporate sponsors
• Looks good on a résumé
Things we have learned from the survey:
• Keep in contact with our Alumni
• Be more prompt and proactive with our communication practices
• Offer services that are more appropriate to our Alumni

The top service offerings are:
• Access to career/job opportunities
• Job placement assistance
• Network with fellow alumni
• Mentoring opportunities
• INROADS alumni chapter development and support
Wish list from the Alumni:
• Career advancement
• Financial planning
• Certification training (skills-specific)
• Help with entrepreneurship guidance
Alumni make contributions to INROADS to:
• Support scholarships
• Support training for all interns
• Support their local market or region
The list below represents the winners of the Alumni Survey Prize Giveaway for 2015.
Please contact Ms. Kesia Williams, Alumni Relations Associate, to retrieve your prize:
kwilliams@INROADS.org.
• Kathe Lynom
• Tangela Adams
• Denise Lanza
• Sherry Lumpkins
• Kathy Everson
• Antwoine Calloway
• Dontrail
• Saeeda Hafiz
• Janine Holmes
• Andrew Key

Southeast Region Board member and INROADS Alumnus
Honored by March of Dimes
National Board Member Yvette Hollingsworth Named 1 of
25 Powerful Women to Watch
Visiones 2015: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Click here to view the video from this year's stellar
Visiones event.
The National Association of Latinos in Information Sciences
and Technology (LISTA) recognized Myrna Garcia for her
outstanding work in the community during the Latinas Tech
Leaders Luncheon on Thursday, December 10, 2015, in
Atlanta, GA.

!
INROADS is taking the necessary steps internally on the professional
development side, to better serve our clients, constituents, students and
alumni. Take a moment to view the photos from the National Staff
Conference.
STEM Initiative Summer 2016
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS at www.INROADS.org/apply for
mechanical, electrical, computer engineering and computer science
undergraduates with 3.0+ GPAs graduating after December 2016. Help share your
INROADS experience with an up-and-comer. Questions? Contact
calty@INROADS.org for more details.
Mock Interviewers Needed
First, thank you to those who have assisted with mock interviews in the past. Over
the past year, 100 alumni have helped prepare future INROADS interns — but we
need more help. As little as one hour can make a difference, but you can give as
many hours as you wish. Click here if you would like to register as an interviewer.
Don’t worry, we’ll give you all the necessary training. And interviewers do not have
to be INROADS alumni. Please share this link with your network if you know of a
professional who would like to volunteer his or her time, or if your company would
like to volunteer. Contact bwilliams@INROADS.org for more details.
INROADS Internships at the MBA Level!
Are you in your first year of your MBA? If so, this internship might be just for you!
INROADS has two MBA opportunities with PetSmart in Phoenix, Arizona, for their
Store Operations and Services Strategy. Competitive hourly pay and relocation
assistance provided. Retail experience a plus and a love for animals is a must!
Interested applicants please contact INROADS Senior Manager Patti Schoenhardt
at pschoenhardt@INROADS.org or by phone at 480-526-5416.

Planning for Incapacity
This article examines the wisdom of putting your affairs in order to prepare for the
possibility of incapacitation. It looks at the steps to take in advance, such as setting up
power of attorney and a living will and considerations for naming an agent.
A life-changing illness or injury that takes away the ability to communicate is not
something we like to think about, yet the likelihood rises as our life expectancy
increases. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects one in nine
Americans age 65 or older, and one in three for those over the age of 85. 1
While it may be difficult to discuss, don’t put off selecting someone to oversee your
medical and financial affairs. Additionally, knowing that arrangements have already
been taken care of may reduce the stress on your loved ones during trying times.
Here are some questions to consider when meeting with an advisor or attorney about
planning for incapacity.
• What, if any, life-prolonging measures do you want taken if you are terminally ill
or incapacitated? Who will make those decisions? A living will and health care
proxy – also known as advance directives – will allow someone you trust to
communicate your wishes to caregivers.

• What will happen to your financial assets and debts? Have you appointed an
agent under a durable power of attorney to make decisions on your behalf, or
would you prefer a court appointed representative?
• Are your bills and other financial records easily accessible to your agent or family
members?
• Have you updated your living will, health care proxy, or durable power of
attorney? Have your views on life-sustaining care changed?
• Are your beneficiary designations – which cannot be changed in a will – up to
date?
• Do you have insurance coverage for long-term care and disability? If so, do you
know the extent of the coverage?
• Does your living will address assisted living or other long-term care
arrangements?
Finally, have you identified an agent – you can name more than one, including an
institution – to act on your behalf? You may choose anyone you wish, and it doesn’t
have to be a spouse or other family member. In fact, as these situations are usually
emotional, you might consider an individual who you believe will be able to act
objectively in a time of crisis.
Being prepared is the best defense against an unforeseen need. Ask your lawyer about
setting set up financial and health care proxies and a durable power of attorney. I am
available to assist in any way possible.
If you’d like to learn more, please contact Michael Lysenko IV CFP®,
CRPS® or Eric S. Roth of The Roth Group at Morgan Stanley.
Sources and Disclaimers:
1
Alzheimer’s Association, “2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” March 2014,
retrieved November 20, 2014.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency
affiliates.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not
provide tax or legal advice.
Article by Wealth Management Systems Inc. and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.
The author(s) are not employees of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC ("Morgan Stanley"). The opinions expressed
by the authors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and data
in the article or publication has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no
representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of
Morgan Stanley. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by Morgan
Stanley with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, investment, strategy or product that may be mentioned.
Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor(s) engaged Wealth Management Systems, Inc. to feature this article.
The Roth Group may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from
registration http://www.morganstanleyfa.com/therothgroup/ Transacting business, follow-up and

individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering
of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where The Roth Group is
not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
© 2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
CRC 1088697 01/15
Article Written By: Wealth Management Systems, Inc.
Courtesy of: The Roth Group at Morgan Stanley
1290 Avenue of the Americas, 12 th Floor
New York, NY 10104
Website: http://www.morganstanleyfa.com/therothgroup/
Michael Lysenko IV, CFP®, CRPS®
Financial Advisor
Financial Planning Specialist
Office: (212) 692-2909
Fax: (646) 737-0628
E-mail: michael.lysenko@morganstanley.com
Eric S. Roth
Executive Director
Financial Planning Specialist
Financial Advisor
Office: (212) 878-3922
Fax: (212) 878-3925
Mobile: (917) 816-1993
E-mail: eric.s.roth@morganstanley.com

FORMER ABERCROMBIE & FITCH SENIOR
EXECUTIVE PENS CAUTIONARY TALE
Todd Corley, former Abercrombie Global Chief Diversity
Officer, writes account of leadership triumphs and
pitfalls, and shares important lessons on transparency

New Albany, November 23, 2015 — In his new
book, FITCH PATH: A Cautionary Tale About A
Moose, Millennials, Leadership & Transparency,
former senior executive, Todd Corley, goes inside
the iconic brand, Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), and
explores how Millennials (Generation Y) and
iGens (Generation Z) reshaped the self-conscious
symbol of today’s American youth, redefined the
concept of “coolness” and forged cultural
transformation (i.e., Gonzalez v. Abercrombie &
Fitch, EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch, Brown et al
v. Abercrombie & Fitch).
FITCH PATH examines the needs, wants and
expectations of the emerging workforce majority
and offers solutions to help prepare today’s
leaders and organizations for an inevitable reality.
Explains Corley, “We’re on the verge of a crisis. An
aging workforce, lack of skilled talent and
outsourced labor are just a few of the significant
labor shifts impacting workplaces today. Within
five years, 53 percent of the workforce will be women, 50 percent will be Millennials and
40 percent will be people of color. Despite increasing demands for inclusion and
equality, many global organizations are resistant to change their work models. Leaders
must recognize that ‘resistance is futile’ — inclusion is a mandate and transparency is
the new normal.”
Dubbed “The Man Who Made Abercrombie & Fitch Less White” by The Huffington Post,
Corley witnessed the impact of Millennials and rising iGens during his 10 years at A&F
from his office at the World Headquarters located on Fitch Path in New Albany, Ohio
(2004-2014). His vast accomplishments there include: architecting a landmark diversity
initiative that resulted in a 626% increase in racial and ethnic diversity; leading national
movements to erase exclusion, ban bullying and champion inclusion; and creating a
$10M strong international groundswell across the U.S., Europe and Asia around model
behavior and peer accountability. He exited the company in July 2014 to launch the
TAPO Institute, a strategic think tank and consultancy focused on inclusive leadership.
Neil Howe, founder and president, Saeculum Research and bestselling author of
Millennials Rising, said of Corley, “In his role as Chief Diversity Officer at A&F, Todd
saw like few others the new demands that Millennials bring to the workplace and the
challenges they pose for companies that fail to embrace inclusivity. Through firsthand
experience and extensive research, he has learned not only what Millennials want from
an employer and a brand, but how managers can truly foster their talent.”
FITCH PATH is available for sale on Amazon now. For more information, please visit
www.FITCHPATH.com or contact media@tapoinstitute.org.

ABOUT TODD CORLEY
Todd Corley is the founder of The TAPO
Institute, a consultancy focused on the
generationally-driven shift in beliefs and values
that has redefined the meaning of “inclusive”
leadership. As a nationally recognized senior
leader, he advises C-Suite executives and Senior
Leadership Teams on how to engage and
develop talent, build organizational agility and
cultivate innovation. His insights on diversity
and inclusion have been sharpened by an
unparalleled body of work and influenced by
overseeing an enterprise-wide large scale change
initiative that impacted the lives of hundreds-ofthousands
of Millennials (Gen Y) and iGens
(Gen Z), in an organization led by Xers,
Boomers and Traditionalists.
Prior to his role at Abercrombie & Fitch, Corley created the diversity strategy for
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. As a senior consultant for the global diversity
and change management practice at Towers Perrin (now Towers Watson), his client list
included The New York Stock Exchange, JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, Toys“R”Us, Goldman
Sachs, PepsiCo and many others.
ABOUT THE TAPO INSTITUTE
The TAPO Institute, a think tank and strategic advisor advocating inclusive leadership,
draws its inspiration from today’s generation being transparent, authentic, persistent
and optimistic about inclusion. Visit www.tapoinstitute.org to learn more.
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Alumni in the Spotlight
Joseph Hampton
Growing up in Birmingham, AL, I played every sport, sang
in the choir and was active in many school organizations.
My goal was to get either an athletic or academic
scholarship so my parents would not have the burden of
paying for my education, as well as my two sisters’. I
wanted to be the first in my immediate family to graduate
from college.
During my senior year, my high school guidance counselor
told me about INROADS and that a second group was
being recruited for training. I learned about INROADS as I
was completing the application. I had no clue that
INROADS would change my life forever.
After reading the mission statement, I knew that
INROADS could help launch my career. I didn’t know any organization that required as
much to represent the INROADS brand. At the first summer session, everyone was a top
student. I felt like I was one of the least smart in the group.
INROADS afforded me the tools to be successful in my internship and in school. After
being offered the internship at Alabama Gas Corporation (Alagasco) and performing the
job I longed to have upon graduating, I wouldn’t allow this opportunity to slip away. I
knew that, if I didn’t maintain the 3.0 GPA requirement, my internship was over. So I
studied longer. I knew if I didn’t perform during my summer internship to the
satisfaction of my supervisor, my internship was over. So I got up early, stayed late and
asked for opportunities to perform work tasks beyond what was asked of me. I wanted
Alagasco to know they had made the right decision when they chose me as the
company’s first INROADS Intern.
The internship experience was excellent. I had the opportunity to work for a great
company learning the skills needed to be successful in Corporate America. INROADS’
weekend sessions taught me the skills necessary to be comfortable while pursuing my
internship, while on the job and when networking with co-workers. INROADS’ rigorous
weekend sessions set me apart.
INROADS gave me the necessary motivation to be the best I could be, whether in school,
during my internship or when serving in my community. It provided me the focus and
the finish line that propelled me to graduate and gain full-time employment.
My path was totally different from my schoolmates; there is simply no comparison.
After graduation, I basically walked in the door at Alagasco with relationships with key
stakeholders and two years of work experience.

With our family having just moved to Kansas City, MO, I am beginning as Vice
President, Operations for Missouri Gas Energy of The Laclede Group. My beautiful wife,
Jenise, who is my number one supporter and fan, is just beginning as Principal of Troost
Elementary School. We have two great sons: Joseph (age 7) and Johnathon (age 4).
Without INROADS, I don’t believe I’d be in this place in my life. INROADS, plus my
hard work, is why I’m where I am today.
Mallorie Denmon
Coming from a large family is very special to me. We get
together often and love each other dearly. In my family,
entrepreneurship has been an ongoing theme. Familyowned
businesses have contributed to the Kansas City
community for generations.
Whether nature or nurture, I couldn’t sit still for very
long, according to my mother...from dance class, Girl
Scouts, modeling, drill team, being an honor student,
varsity cheerleading (captain), varsity track team,
student council…whew! And, that was just high school.
Time management and responsibility were constant
lessons, which equipped me for college.
My mother, who worked at an INROADS sponsoring
company, just adored the INROADS intern. She had me apply immediately. I went to
work for GE Capital the summer before the start of my freshman year at the University
of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to that, I had only worked at a sports shoe shop – so this
was my second “job,” and I was excited, anxious and a little overwhelmed.
INROADS impressed me with the intern process and the high caliber of leadership.
Getting to know other interns who were enrolled at Mizzou helped me transition when I
started my first semester. Even as I started college, my INROADS training helped me
gain perspective on what I wanted my college experience to be because it opened my
eyes to the bigger picture of life beyond college, the value of professionalism, integrity
and nurturing relationships.
I interned with GE Capital for all four summers of college. Great mentors and peers
guided me and kept me focused on my goals. The projects helped me learn to be proactive
and self-sufficient. INROADS developed and enhanced my skills and talents,
which prepared me to work and interact in any professional setting.
INROADS changed my life and will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s a part of
the foundation that has made me the woman I am today.

Intern Spotlight 2015
Ibrahim ‘Solo’ Ceesay
“Things aren’t always what they seem. You’re only
seeing part of me. There’s more than you could ever
know behind the scenes.”
-Francesca Battistelli (American music artist)
As the son of Senegalese and Gambian immigrants,
Ibrahim’s dark complexion and cultural barriers
socially disconnected him from his peers. While his
parents provided a lovingly solid home, classmates and
neighbors often bullied and excluded him in peer
activities. In addition, school and studies have always
been deeply engaging for Ibrahim, which was yet
another source of ridicule he endured by classmates.
Now, he deeply values his distinguishing qualities both
inherited and achieved, a journey that has taken until adulthood.
INROADS’ stated mission and “stats” let Ibrahim know that INROADS could
springboard his future. Currently, he is a prestigious Ivy League football player at the
University of Pennsylvania where he is an Economics major in the Wharton School.
INROADS helped put college into perspective as a means to achieving life’s goals, even
as freshman year was an incredible challenge and transition for Ibrahim. INROADS
helped him realize that being a collegiate athlete was not an excuse to underperform
academically.
For his summer 2015 internship, INROADS helped place Ibrahim in the Corporate
Finance Division of MasterCard Worldwide in St. Louis, Missouri. The MasterCard
internship has already deeply shaped Ibrahim’s professional spirit and work ethic,
including sharpening his professional skills, practicing workplace conduct and
teamwork, and applying his classroom education into the workplace setting, just to
name a few.
In Ibrahim’s own words:
“What has been particularly eye-opening for me is the attention to detail and agility I
have developed during the internship. Real-world projects with varied tasks have
forced me to be creative, effective and more precise in the ways in which I go about
getting things done. The advantage I have over my peers and classmates who are not
a part of INROADS stems from the various professional development sessions and
workshops we have throughout the year. Surely, potential employment and
opportunities are priceless, but also knowing how to conduct yourself in the
workplace is what separates good workers from the leaders of tomorrow.
“My time with INROADS has been an insurmountable experience. I am now at ease
knowing that my appearance and culture are my assets. My unique background has

given me the tools to bring a different and valuable perspective each and every day.
“Furthermore, working with the leaders of tomorrow is a true blessing. I look
forward to employing all the skills INROADS has given me in future employment
opportunities and beyond.”
Paul Huron
Paul Huron, a Harmony Science Academy-San Antonio alumnus, is proving that with
hard work and grit, success will surely come. Paul recently accepted an internship with
Shell in Houston, where he will work with the IT department with other like-minded
interns and mentors guided by professional engineers.
Paul Huron of HSA-San Antonio with U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, during the 2012
White House Summit in San Antonio.
INROADS helped make this dream a reality for Paul. He has competed in various
science fairs and STEM competitions such as I-SWEEP, ExxonMobil Texas State Science
Fair, Junior Academy of Science at TAMU and Alamo Regional Science and Engineering
Fair. Paul showcased his work in STEM in these competitions year after year, winning
various awards, from a gold medal at I-SWEEP to Grand Prize at STEM science fair.
Paul went on to attend the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, where he is a
member of the Honors Program. He has been featured in UIW’s Taking Flight monthly
newsletter and is currently pursuing a career in computer science. He has already begun
working toward that goal, recently completing an internship with Anadarko Petroleum
located in The Woodlands, TX. Congratulations on all your success Paul!

In Memoriam
On Monday, December 7, 2015, with a heavy heart, we shared the news of the passing of
our colleague, Douglas N. Scott, Regional Director, South Central Region and ’89
Dallas/Ft. Worth INROADS Alumnus. We celebrate Doug, his life and all of his
contributions to our organization. He will truly be missed.
Gifts and donations may be made to support Doug’s wife and soulmate Charlisa, and
their two sons, Landon 11 and Cole 9.
Gifts and Donations
The Scott Family
4600 Knoll Hollow Trail
Plano, TX 75024

More than 200 Corporate Partners across the United States work with INROADS to
secure summer internships for our students, which are critical to preparing for
corporate leadership roles. Now, you can access job opportunities from
those sponsors via INROADS PROS!
INROADS PROS, an alumni community website, offers a host of opportunities in a wide
variety of careers and locations. And, as an INROADer, you have a competitive
advantage.
If you see a job opportunity you like, submit your application. Put “INROADS Alumni”
on your résumé. Select “INROADS” if there’s an option to indicate where you heard
about this job opportunity.
If you don’t see any job opportunities that interest you, please share PROS with others
in your network and encourage them to select “INROADS” on the application as well.
Check back with us periodically because we receive new job opportunities regularly.
Click here to begin your search and good luck!

Professional Tips
&
Business Etiquette
Six Steps to Remember in the Office
Everyone Has a Role
When dealing with your own employees, remember that every person in the
company, from the CEO to the mail clerk, can affect every other person. All
employees’ jobs are interconnected.
Make Meetings Useful
When a meeting is necessary, be mindful of other attendees’ schedules, and
ensure that you are prepared with any materials or information needed for the
meeting topic. Thank attendees for their contributions, and send out a written
record of what was discussed, with action items.
Prompt Communication
When you receive a phone call or email, whether internally or from a client,
respond to it in a timely manner. Even if the inquiry will take longer, a quick
email or phone call to let the sender know that you're looking into the subject is
going to be appreciated.
Email Use
The instant gratification of email can lead to careless use and unprofessional
appearance. Take the same care in crafting email that you would for any
published work, including spelling, punctuation, grammar and capitalization.
Be specific, avoiding unclear questions or one-word answers.
Respect Others’ Time
When you need to interrupt someone, try to do it unobtrusively. Be polite and
get to the point to allow him/her to get back to work quickly. Avoid interrupting
meetings unless time is of importance.
Timeliness
When there is a time factor in anything business related, from a deadline for a
project or a meeting set to begin, don't be late. It implies that you have things
more pressing than your coworkers/clients, and more worthy of your attention.
Tips Provided by: SmallBusiness.chron.com

Call : 866-398-3608
Mail : alumnirelations@INROADS.org
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