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JCSU Admissions Counselor Ryan Thurman Wins HBCU Recruiter of the Year

Ryan Thurman Recruiter of the Year

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Ryan Thurman at College Fair
Ryan Thurman has been a freshman admission counselor at JCSU for nearly two years.

Charlotte, N.C./June 25, 2024 鈥 Ryan Thurman began his higher-education career at 星空无限传媒 less than two years ago. Since then, he鈥檚 made an unforgettable impression on any student he meets.

This Summer, the admissions counselor was named the Recruiter of the Year by the National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) and the Black College Expo.

鈥淲inning this award helped me feel fulfilled and honored just to know that my hard work wasn鈥檛 going unnoticed,鈥 Thurman said. 鈥

鈥淢r. Thurman鈥檚 energy and zeal for the important work of empowering, engaging and transforming students is evident and appreciated,鈥 added Dr. Davida L. Haywood, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. 鈥淲e are extremely proud of him and the recognition he has received from the Black College Expo.鈥

After starting at JCSU, Thurman began working with the NCRF. In January 2023, he went on a recruiting trip with the foundation to California, where he not only represented JCSU but also hosted after-shows following NCRF events and college fairs.听

The NCRF hosts the Black College Expo to connect students with HBCUs and minority-serving institutions. Thanks to his partnership with the foundation, Thurman was able to bring the Black College Expo to JCSU鈥檚 campus in March 2024.

Thurman says he is grateful to Dr. Theresa Price, the founder and CEO of NCRF, because she partnered with him and allowed him to use his infectious spirit to further connect with college-bound students.
The partnership started with Thurman鈥檚 willingness to show up and go the extra mile. Oftentimes, Thurman would be the only college recruiter left at a fair when some potential students would arrive late. He credits his own collegiate experiences at two HBCUs for his passion for higher education.

鈥淢y HBCU experience led me to where I am now,鈥 said Thurman, who earned his undergraduate degree at Fort Valley State University (Georgia) and a master鈥檚 degree from North Carolina A&T. 鈥淎ll of my opportunities in higher education motivate me now in my postgraduate life to encourage and motivate students to go to college and be at an HBCU that will offer them opportunities they couldn鈥檛 get elsewhere.鈥

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Ryan Thurman with his Award

Admissions counselors work nontraditional hours and wear many hats to help students get enrolled, placed in a residence hall and ready to learn. They also always wear a smile and do all that they can to assist the people they serve.

Thurman says the award is a true testament to a successful work-life balance. He says it is easy to feel like you鈥檙e always at work, but utilizing the four or five hours after work to reach personal goals is important. For Thurman, that looks like networking events or workout classes that help him build his personal brand and his health.

Although the job may be tough, Thurman truly loves the experience of watching students come to JCSU and grow.

鈥淪ome of my best memories so far are connecting with students, seeing students graduate and witnessing them going through that transitional period as a college student,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 also love to see families come together and be happy that their student made it to college, period.鈥

Thurman credits Tarji Caldwell, director of admissions, and Kayla Ratliff, a long-serving admissions counselor who helped Thurman in his journey to accepting the admissions counselor position at JCSU.
He says that teamwork leads to success and thanked his colleagues in the Office of Admissions for always supporting him.

He also thanked his family, including Bridgette Dixon, Eugene and Betty Dixon and his little sister, Raven.听

鈥淭hey鈥檝e been my main tribe for my entire life,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e always supported my decisions and have always been there for me.鈥

Thurman said if he could give students one piece of advice, it would be to invest in their future.

鈥淎n HBCU gave me so many opportunities and experiences,鈥 he said. 鈥淛CSU is providing similar opportunities for students who are just like me.鈥


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