Welcome to the MDIB Yard Dr. Paul Quinn!
Reppin': Paul Quinn College, Texas Southern University
Grad: 2009, 2012
Major: BS in Engineering Technology, Masters Transportation Planning & Management
Occupation: Transportation Planner with the City of Houston
Can you briefly walk us through your HBCU story? How it started, how you got there, and how it helped you get to where you are today.
Went on HBCU tours as a teenager. I knew there were some things in life that school couldn’t teach me such as how to navigate through life as a Black man in America. I could only get that lesson from being around others like me.
How did your HBCU shape you and impact your understanding of Black Culture?
Paul Quinn College and Texas Southern University shaped me and impacted my understanding of Black culture greatly. Not only did my HBCU experience show me how to succeed, but it also taught me how to succeed after unexpected failures. It’s taught me that success has no failures. Success is a consistent pivot move.
Before we go any further, let's have a brag session! Tell us about your HBCU(s). What are y'all known for? What are the most exciting things about the yard?
Paul Quinn College is the Oldest HBCU West of the Mississippi and TSU runs the SWAC! Lol
What do you say to people who believe HBCUs are not as good as Predominantly White Institutions (PWI)?
To people who say HBCUs are not as good as PWIs, if they are African American they obviously are not in tune with their culture. If they are not African American…. Shut up.
"HBCUS ARE REALLY THE BEST KEPT SECRET. IF YOU EVER WONDERED WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON… AN HBCU EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW YOU."
Tell us what you wish everyone in the world knew about the HBCU experience.
It’s really the best kept secret. If you ever wondered WHO you are as a person… an HBCU experience will show you.
Tell us about your most memorable HBCU experiences. (Yes we in yo business, tell us about all of 'em!)
Pledging and making lifelong bonds that could never be broken.
Was it like Hillman on "A Different World"?
Low key my HBCU experience kinda was like Hillman! The infrastructure may not have been the same but the same list of characters existed.
As any alumni will tell you, HBCUs are nurturing environments. What person(s) during your HBCU experience deserves some flowers and recognition?
Dr. Weldon J. Walton at Paul Quinn College and Dr. Carol A. Lewis at Texas Southern University
How are you using what you learned from them in your everyday life?
Faith, consistency, and perseverance will take you any place you want to go. I learned that while at an HBCU and it still holds true today.
Thank you for showing us Your Yard and telling us Your Experience. Before you go, tell us, what do you imagine for the future of HBCUs?
I hope OUR people realize how important they are to OUR success in life and hopefully invest back into the HBCUs.
