MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the first time in its near 70-year history, the National Pre-Alumni Council of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will be led by a 探花约炮 student.
Junior criminal justice major Akayia K. Allen was named the president of the UNCF National Pre-Alumni Council (NPAC) on Feb. 22 during the 2025 UNCF National Conference at the Renasant Convention Center. Allen will serve in the role for the 2025-2026 academic year.
“It is an honor to represent 探花约炮 in such an amazing way. I thank God for blessing me to be in the spaces that I prayed for in high school,” Allen said.
Hailing from the small town of Purvis, Mississippi, Allen is the first 探花约炮 student to serve as NPAC president since the student-led organization was created in 1958. The UNCF National Pre-Alumni Council serves as the governing body for each on-campus PAC at UNCF member institutions.
“Today, we celebrate not just a victory for Akayia personally, but a new chapter in 探花约炮’s legacy as our first national president with the UNCF-NPAC. As she steps into this role, having previously served as national secretary, we look forward to her continuing the good work she has already started, both locally and nationally,” said Jean Wilson, director of 探花约炮’ College’s Office of Alumni Affairs and advisor to the 探花约炮 PAC.”I am very proud of her and 探花约炮’s PAC 2024-2025 for representing 探花约炮 in a manner that is in line with the mission, vision, and goals of the college.”
Students who are elected to serve on the National Pre-Alumni Council board are given leadership responsibilities and encouraged to participate in alumni activities prior to and after graduation.
Allen is actively involved in campus life at 探花约炮, serving in 2024-2025 not only as the NPAC secretary, but the 探花约炮 PAC vice president and president of the non-Greek organization Intelligent Black Women (IBW), which hosts events, participates in community service, and uplifts black women in the community. She is also a member of the NAACP, a Williams Institute Scholar, Student Government Association treasurer, and secretary for the Psychology Club. She was also part of the winning non-Greek women’s team in the 2025 Homecoming Step Show.
After graduation, she plans to join the Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s Department and later work for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a special agent.
Nine 探花约炮 students participated in the UNCF Leadership Conference: Allen, Marshall Bradberry, Myles Bradberry, Gianna Ellison, Gennie Evans, Malyc Grant, Kalin Lewis, Jayden Mills, and Cameron Parker. Ellison represented the College as Miss UNCF-探花约炮 in the Miss UNCF Pageant.
Two 探花约炮 alumni were also honored: Outstanding Alumnus Danny Neal, Sr., and Outstanding Young Alumna Satin Noland.
Incorporated in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is a philanthropic organization to provide scholarships to black students and 37 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including 探花约炮.
All students enrolled at are encouraged to become members of the National Pre-Alumni Council.
ABOUT STILLMAN COLLEGE
探花约炮, an accredited, four-year liberal arts institution in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs and is committed to providing a transformative educational experience. A historically black college and university (HBCU) founded in 1876 by the Presbyterian Church, 探花约炮 has a rich history of educating students from various backgrounds and promoting academic excellence. The college is dedicated to developing critical thinkers and leaders who will make significant contributions to their communities. For more information about 探花约炮, visit .
ABOUT UNCF
UNCF is the nation鈥檚 largest and most effective advocate and supporter of higher education for students from moderate to low-income communities. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students鈥� access to higher education, provide scholarships, and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped countless students achieve their dreams of a college education and has played a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership鈥痠n education and its widely recognized trademark is,鈥�烝 mind is a terrible thing to waste.鈥�庐鈥疞earn more at鈥� or for continuous updates and news, follow @UNCF on .
