Fourth Annual DevCon Conference Opens York Students’ Eyes to Possibilities

The Office of Career Services at York College recently offered a cohort of five students from diverse majors and class levels the opportunity to attend the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) DevCon in Baltimore, Maryland.

^{From Left to right is: Kahlil Williams, Lillian Roberts, Mondell Sealy, Shaneal Dean, Yoanne Boadji, Aquil Elcock,}

According to Mondell Sealy, manager of Career Services -- who was instrumental in the arrangements and accompanied the students to the conference -- such exposure is essential for helping students learn and network with professionals across various fields. She noted that the inaugural TMCF DevCon event was launched in 2023 and that this marked the first time York College has participated.

“I am so proud of our York students as they stepped out of the classroom and onto the TMCF conference stage,” said Sealy. “They exchanged ideas with students from HBCU institutions and navigated a very busy conference environment. Participating in DevCon empowered our young scholars to see that there is a path to pursuing their future careers. The five students who attended the 2026 DevCon are just the beginning for York College. With the continued support and recruitment efforts of Ms. Shayla Pruitt, director of York's First Year Experience, York College looks to increase its attendance at DevCon 2027.”

About the Conference “TMCF DevCon Zone 1 was held in Baltimore, MD, February 18–21, 2026. It is a regional conference centered on professional development for college freshmen and sophomores from public and private historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs). It is intentionally structured as a three-day progressive development experience designed to accelerate students’ preparedness for meaningful employment earlier in their academic journeys.”

Students immerse themselves in professional and leadership training, engage in hands-on workshops, and enjoy direct access to TMCF corporate partners.

Workshops cover topics such as:

• AI Education and Building Your Professional Edge
• Life Skills Coaching
• Financial Literacy
• Mental and Emotional Wellness
• Exploring Careers and Industries
• Navigating the Job Search and Maximizing Career Fair Opportunities

Sealy said York students also participated in a Career Fair at DevCon, where they presented their résumés to recruiters and practiced their elevator pitches. But it wasn’t all business and no fun. They were also able to attend a dinner presentation on workplace dining etiquette and communication skills. The students also showcased their fashion sense at the closing Sneaker Ball event.

Aqil Elcock, a second-year chemistry major studying pharmaceutical sciences, found much to be thankful for at the conference.

“My greatest takeaway from attending TMCF's DevCon 2026 is that I should be more open-minded in my approach to career searching,” Elcock said. “Like many students, I have attended career fairs and left early or avoided them altogether because there was nothing of interest to me or related to my field of study. I know I may still find this challenging. Admittedly, this is because I have little interest in the heavily invited fields of medicine, business, engineering, and service. However, DevCon was helpful in guiding me to conclude that I should do more to approach whatever opportunities are available and consider how I would apply myself based on my skills and interests.”

Elcock added that he “would 100% recommend York students -- especially Black students-- attend any and all future DevCons. Firstly, DevCon exposed me to true college spirit and Black pride as demonstrated by the HBCU students who were present. Secondly, DevCon introduced me to resources that are really helpful in career searching, résumé building, and skill-building via certifications. DevCon further provided tips for presenting ourselves professionally, standing out in interviews, and networking with participating companies to learn about and secure internships. I’d also like to recommend that York’s Black international students attend as well. DevCon provides a multitude of opportunities and both professional and cultural experiences that York students should not miss out on. All students walk away with beneficial knowledge, regardless of whether they encounter their specific career field of interest.”

Yoanne Boadji, a sophomore majoring in accounting and whose brother, Yannis Boadjia, also participated in a Thurgood Marshall conference as a York student and now works at Boeing -- explained, “This experience has taught me tools to take on bigger roles, how to use AI effectively to succeed in business, how to utilize technology to help my research grow, as well as how to manage my finances and achieve my goals.”

She added that the experience inspired her to pursue an advanced degree. “It definitely has me looking at successful people like me who can succeed in a society that wasn’t necessarily made for us.”