Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Thomas Dinkins is a Senior Relationship Manager at UNCF (United Negro College Fund), where he leverages his extensive background in program management, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement to drive impactful initiatives that support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their students.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Senior Relationship Manager at UNCF, Thomas is responsible for cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships with corporate and philanthropic organizations. In this role, he develops and implements strategies to secure funding, resources, and in-kind support for UNCF's scholarship programs, leadership development initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Thomas' collaborative approach and deep understanding of the HBCU ecosystem have enabled him to build meaningful relationships and secure significant investments to further UNCF's mission.
Career Progression
Prior to his current position, Thomas served as the Social Justice Program Manager at UNCF, where he coordinated initiatives focused on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within the HBCU community. He also gained valuable experience as a DEIB Project Manager (Consultant) at Cisco, where he supported the company's efforts to foster more inclusive workplace cultures.
Thomas' earlier career experiences include roles as a Project Manager at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Scholarship Manager at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and various leadership positions at Target and AT&T, where he honed his skills in project management, client relations, and sales operations.
Academic Background
Thomas holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland Global Campus, where he specialized in strategic management and innovation. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Business and Marketing from Clark Atlanta University.
Areas of Expertise
- Stakeholder management and relationship building
- Program and project coordination
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy development
- Scholarship and grant administration
- Corporate partnership and sponsorship management
- Team leadership and collaboration
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Thomas has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing educational opportunities and supporting the success of historically underrepresented communities. His work at UNCF has been instrumental in securing critical funding and resources to enable HBCU students to access quality higher education and develop the skills necessary to become the next generation of leaders.
Conclusion
With his diverse experience, strong leadership capabilities, and unwavering dedication to social impact, Thomas Dinkins is poised to continue making significant contributions to the HBCU community and the broader higher education landscape. As he progresses in his career, Thomas remains focused on leveraging his expertise to drive meaningful change and create lasting positive outcomes for the students and institutions he serves.
