Belle Participates in White House Initiative on HBCUs

HBCU Competitiveness Scholar

Bennett Senior Tyler C. Binion ’19 is one of 63 students from 54 HBCUs chosen as an HBCU Competitiveness Scholar through the White House Initiative on HBCUs.

Competitiveness Scholars have successfully prepared to compete for top opportunities that improve long-term outcomes. They were nominated based on their academic achievement, campus and civic involvement and entrepreneurial ethos or “go-getter” spirit.

The undergraduate, graduate and professional students serve one-year terms and are provided outreach and engagement activities, as well as information and resources, to share with classmates.

“I wanted to be a Competitiveness Scholar because I knew that my college career has exemplified my competitiveness,” said Binion, a business administration major from Nashville, Tenn. “I also wanted to be a representative for my overlooked HBCU and to provide more opportunities for my sisters to grow.”

As a Competitiveness Scholar, Binion will participate in monthly webinars and regional events hosted by the White House Initiative on HBCUs.

Binion is Senior Class President, a financial ambassador for the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) and program director for The Wonder Girls Mentorship Program at Alderman Elementary School, through which she and other Belles help fifth grade girls with college readiness and self-esteem.

“Tyler is a model student with a 4.0 GPA,” said Dr. Christopher Walson, who has advised and taught Binion since 2015 and is chair of the Department of Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship. “She’s always thorough, prompt and consistently good in her studies and responsibilities and has excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills. She shows poise in her engagements and displays maturity and strong character while dealing with people.”