In celebration of Black Legacy Month (BLM), we asked members of the Tuck community to reflect on their goals, accomplishments, inspirations, and passions as part of the Many Voices, One Tuck profile series.
BLM is the celebration and recognition of Black culture at Tuck and Dartmouth, dedicated to the education, awareness, and commemoration of Black heritage and people.
Discover the full calendar of BLM events across campus.
Who do you most admire and look up to? Who inspires you and why?
My parents are my biggest inspiration. When I wrote my business school applications, it hit me that both of them were the first in their families to attend college. They moved away from their family support systems for better opportunities, raised three successful black children in a system (family, neighbors, colleagues) that rewards a “just get by” mentality, and now both of them run impactful nonprofits that benefit our community in North Carolina. It’s tough to have a vision and find motivation for dreams that others cannot see. Since they accomplished their dreams, against all odds, they will always inspire me.
Describe a challenge you encountered in your life and/or career, how you were able to overcome it, and what you learned.
During my senior year of undergrad, I nearly lost my full scholarship and came close to not graduating on time. At this point in my life, I questioned everything about myself, my purpose, my abilities, and my true motivations. However, I also discovered the power of community. Though I felt alone, friends stepped in to help motivate me, mentors helped provide clarity to my purpose, faculty didn’t let me doubt my abilities, and my parents grounded my identity in values rather than metrics or grades.
Now, even though difficulties happen, I know that I have a community that loves me enough to help me overcome and see my life for what it truly is; a vessel to serve others.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean for you today, and in your words, why is it so critical?
The world is at a place where division, greed, selfishness, falsehood, and quick judgment are overabundant. The result of these values' prevalence is a lack of humanity. Diversity, equity, and inclusion should call all of us to celebrate our differences, acknowledge our faults and shortcomings, and teach us that despite those differences we’re one.
The conversations that DEI sparks should have a north star defined by the opposite of the negative traits above: unity, temperance, selflessness, truth, and empathetic curiosity.
How do you define “success”?
I define success by asking myself two questions: have I used my skills and abilities to improve someone else’s life and have I given my best effort today? If the answer to both questions is yes at the end of each day, then I’ve been successful. Outside of that, I believe all of the “goodness” in my life comes from the abundance of love that God shows me which then requires me to give that love to others.
What do you believe will be the defining issue of the next 20 years?
The biggest opportunity I see in the next 20 years is developing an educational infrastructure that can quickly reskill and upskill our workforce so they’re prepared for the new economy. AI and other technological advancements have increased the rate of workforce displacement and traditional degree pathways often aren’t quick enough to help people respond to that change. It’s my goal to help universities and employers create better partnerships that enable people to quickly develop skills for the data-driven economy of tomorrow.
Zachary is a civil engineer turned higher education professional with nearly 10 years of experience in the field. His background includes roles in student support, institutional research, alumni data analysis, and higher education fundraising. Most recently, Zachary was a special gifts officer at the Thayer School of Engineering where he raised money for scholarships, faculty research, and the Class of 1982 Engineering & Computer Science Center. After Tuck, Zach plans to work in higher education consulting with the long-term goal of university/nonprofit leadership or college president role.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
I am proud of betting on myself to apply to business school and being accepted into Tuck, my first choice. My experience at Tuck has been amazing, and I have grown a lot in the last six months. Another accomplishment I'm proud of is starting my high school's African American History Club. The club is now one of the most prominent organizations at my high school.
What keeps you busy? How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Outside of school and recruiting, I have pursued a new endeavor: learning how to ski. I'm taking lessons at the Dartmouth Skiway every Friday, and it's been exciting, fun, and challenging. I've never skied before, so being at Tuck has allowed me to take advantage of that opportunity. I also enjoy watching The Real Housewives franchise to unwind during the weekend.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean for you today, and in your words, why is it so critical?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion means being consistent and genuine about creating environments with a sense of belonging. It means being aware and reflective about our biases and privileges. DEI is critical in today's climate to enact positive and constructive change. We need to hold everyone and ourselves accountable in fostering spaces where respect and inclusivity are non-negotiable.
What have you recently, read, watched, or listened to that you enjoyed and would highly recommend to others?
I'm reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. It's been an insightful read about a young woman's quest for self-discovery. The biggest takeaway I've received from reading the book is not allowing others to define you and to live unapologetically.
Erin was born and raised in New York and Waxhaw, North Carolina, a suburb outside of Charlotte. She graduated from Spelman College in 2019 with a bachelor's in international studies. Before Tuck, she worked in mortgage operations at Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina. At Tuck, she is a Forté, Consortium, and Workplace Inclusion fellow. Erin enjoys playing ping-pong and reading and is a major sushi lover.
Many Voices, One Tuck (MVOT) celebrates the stories of our vibrant and diverse community. What’s your story? Email DEI at Tuck if you’d like to contribute to the MVOT project.
Note: MVOT is open to members of the Tuck community, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, Tuck Executive Education and Tuck Bridge participants, and Health Care Management Education at Dartmouth graduates.
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