They're young, they're smart, and they're the next generation of leaders in health care. Thirty-three college students and recent graduates were accepted into the 2015 Leadership Development program at Adventist Health System. The group, including Jodel Bernard, Deeana Peter, Kristen Sharp and Jared Winston from Oakwood University, will soon begin serving and learning across the organization's 44 hospital campuses.
 

"Our main focus for having a leadership development program is to introduce top talent to the organization," said Norman Miles, AHS's director of Leadership Development. "We are in the business of developing and preparing servant leaders who will model our mission, vision and values."
 

More than 100 applications were reviewed during the competitive selection process that focused on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors such as academic performance, community service, leadership potential, and an interest in the health care industry. Those who were selected for summer internships will spend 12 weeks gaining hands-on experience in areas such as supply chain, human resources, and patient financial services. Meanwhile, two-year residents will focus on building the leadership and technical skills essential for managing a team and guiding strategies in their specialty areas. 
 

"This program serves as a vehicle to launch them into a career in health care," Miles said. "It's an awesome opportunity for interns and residents to develop a deeper understanding of the nuances within the industry, hone their skill sets, and develop a context around what they need to do to prepare for a career in health care."

"The Leadership Development Residency and Internship programs have helped ensure that we have a strong pipeline of emerging Christian leaders who are able to assume various roles within the organization," Miles said. "This year's group is diverse, dynamic, bright and energetic, and I believe that they will be able to make many meaningful contributions to the world of health care in the years to come." 

Two of Oakwood's finest are currently interns with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) in Washington, D.C.

The Department of History and Political Science proudly reports that Gabe Carter (left, junior, political science major) and Christopher Johnson (right, senior, pre law/political science major) won two of the 46 internships awarded annually.

The CBCF Congressional Internship is a rigorous program that includes a full-time work week, educational seminars, individual and team projects, and several social and networking events. CBCF interns will be paid a stipend for the nine-week program.

Chris feels "humbled, honored and excited about the opportunity to learn about public policy and civic leadership from our nation's brightest political leaders, as well as to represent Oakwood University and the Department of History & Political Science in this endeavor."

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., and iHeartMedia announced their joint media support for the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) through its annual televised show, UNCF An Evening of Stars®. The broadcast is a celebrity-packed evening of entertainment that raises money and awareness for minority higher education.

Sinclair will air the show in all of its 78 television markets, reaching almost 40% of the country, beginning June 6. 

This year's show highlights 20 students, including Oakwood's Jajuan Sanders, and presents more than $500,000 to students attending HBCUs. Over its 36-year history, UNCF An Evening of Stars® has raised more than $200 million and has helped hundreds of thousands of students attend and graduate from college. 

This year's show was made possible by national sponsors McDonald's and Wells Fargo. Target is an official sponsor and "Target Rising Stars" sponsor. Buick is a major sponsor. The City of Atlanta, iHeartMedia Inc., BET Networks, and Sinclair Broadcast Group serve as the city and media partners, respectively. The Walton Family Foundation and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are philanthropic partners.

Click here for re-broadcast dates and times per area.  

Join us in the Blue and Gold End-of-the-Year Challenge by making a gift to the Oakwood Annual Fund by midnight, June 30. Our goal is to increase the annual giving participation rate of our alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends.

Students enrolled at Oakwood University, as well as other HBCUs, are welcome to apply for the the United Negro College Fund General Scholarship. 

It is highly recommended that students attending a UNCF member college or university complete this UNCF General Scholarship Application. Information from the completed  application will be used to match the student to several of the scholarship programs administered by UNCF for the 2015-16 academic year.

The General Application does not apply to scholarship programs requiring a separate application. To be considered for other scholarships featured on this site, you must complete the online application for each individual scholarship.  Paper applications are not accepted for this or any of UNCF's scholarship, internship or fellowship programs.

This application is for scholarships awarded during the 2015-16 academic year. If you are not enrolled at a  UNCF member college/university for the 2015-16 academic year, you are not eligible to apply to this scholarship.

For more information, please contact the UNCF at (202) 810-0258 or scholarships@uncf.org. 

Kylah and Richard Martin were married on February 8. (Photo: Zeudi Hinds)

The best Hollywood screenwriters have nothing on God when it comes to drafting a great love story. That's something newly-weds Kylah (Allers) and Richard Martin learned one summer day about six years ago.

The story of their relationship was recently featured in Bermuda's Royal Gazette. Married on February 8 of this year, the newlyweds offer the following relationship tips: 

* Pray for each other. Kylah encourages couples to dig deep and talk to God at every opportunity. She said: "Pray for your spouse audibly, while they're listening. Pray for them silently, while they're sleeping. Pray for them continuously whether they are present at home or absent at work. You are your partner's lifelong prayer warrior. Keep them covered!"

* Don't settle. She said: "Be clear on who God has for you so that you never have to wonder 'what did I get myself into?'. Having the confidence that your relationship has been designed by God is the greatest source of assurance for challenging times. After all, you can count on the fact that He has your best interest at heart, always. I know that sometimes we can be concerned that God is out to humble us, so we think that if we trust Him we may be let down. We are sure that we'll have to sacrifice good looks or whatever it is we deem to be 'the icing on the cake'. Not so! A text that encouraged me in my journey read like this: "In You they trusted and were not disappointed"; other versions say, "were not put to shame" (Psalm 22:5). I'm so glad I trusted God. I have not been disappointed."

* There's no shame in going to counseling. In fact the Martins recommend it as an important key in preparing for marriage. "We would recommend pre-engagement counseling as opposed to premarital (or to do both!)," they said.

* Always trust in God's timing. Richard said: "As it pertains to God's timing in your life's journey I say, 'When God says move, don't wait. When God says wait, don't move'. The line between impulsivity and inactivity can be thin. Remember Proverbs 3:5, 6."

* God's prescribed way of dating is always the best. Richard's life motto encourages him to live and act in a way that will make his Heavenly Father pleased: "It's better to live in the will of God and be questioned by men, than to live in the will of men and be questioned by God."