Marqeisha Nelson and Jada Strickland of Johnson C. Smith University, were recently selected to participate in the National Football League (NFL) Events and Club Business Development Experienceship Program. The two Smithites were among 32 students out of more than 180 applicants tapped to take part in this year's program. Nelson, a senior from Durham, N.C., is majoring in Sport Management. Strickland, a member of the Golden Bulls women's tennis team, is a senior from Miamisburg, Ohio, majoring in Business Management.  

This experience will provide an indepth look at the operation of one of the sport industry's most recognized brands, said Nelson. "This is a great opportunity for me to see how what we learn in the classroom applies in this major organization with international reach," Nelson said. "I am grateful to Dr. (Antonia) Mead for believing in me and encouraging me to compete for this selective program. I'm proud to be included, and I know it's a great opportunity to help me excel in the future."  
  
The NFL Events and Club Business Development Experienceship begins in September 2020 and runs through the end of the NFL league year. It serves as both a mentorship and professional development program that introduces the career path of sports and event production to students. Four other student-athletes from Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) institutions were also selected to participate: Corey Cooper (football) of Shaw University, Marcus Davis (football) of Saint Augustine's University, as well as Cedar Davidson (soccer) and Christopher Brown (track and field) of Lincoln University. 

Strickland expressed her excitement to be immersed in the nation's top sports league. "This high level of access is provided to only a few students nationwide, and I'm happy to be one of them," she said. "The program will allow me to interact closely with elite business professionals who are responsible for all aspects of a multi-billion-dollar industry that entertains millions of people in the United States and abroad," said Strickland. 
                                                                                             
The NFL Events and Club Business Development departments touch all facets of the NFL from the league office to all 32 clubs, providing participants unprecedented access to one of the most prominent sports leagues in the world.   
 
JCSU Athletics Director Stephen Joyner Sr. said: "The Johnson C. Smith University Athletics Department and the entire Golden Bulls Nation appreciate the NFL Experienceship Program opportunity offered to Marqeisha Nelson and Jada Strickland. Both continue to Hold High the Gold and Blue in representing JCSU in the classroom and, in Jada's case, on the tennis court. I commend them for searching and striving for opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. This valuable experience will take them very far in their current studies and future endeavors. Their achievement is a prime example of how we prepare students to excel in academics and athletics in ways that support their personal and career development. "  
 
To learn more about the NFL's HBCU initiative, please visit the NFL Football Operations website at https://operations.nfl.com/