Sophomore Tarik Brown, does not believe in wasting time. Like many, he arrived on campus ready to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible and by any standard, he definitely has done so. What sets him apart, however, is that he intentionally looks for ways to include others. Perhaps a testament to his background in computer science, he can visualize networks in all aspects of his life. He tirelessly works to connect people and opportunities, be they small (connecting a new AnBryce Scholar to the Notre Dame Band) or large (expanding activities as President of Notre Dame's Questbridge chapter). Frequently, students share internship opportunities across different fields, all of which they learned about from Tarik.
When Tarik ran for President of QuestBridge last spring, he had clear plans of how to make a more substantial community of Questbridge Scholars on campus. Armed with support and ideas from his time in AnBryce and other organizations, he created programming to welcome students to campus and create gathering points around gaming, food and fellowship. When he questioned the connection between first-generation students and administration, he found an ally in the President's office and Clare Mundy. Together they planned an event to welcome all first generation students to campus and included a welcome from Fr. Jenkins and an address from Alkeyna Aldridge, Director of Engagement & Economic Empowerment at City of South Bend.
I recently had the pleasure of partnering with AnBryce scholar Tarik Brown to plan a reception hosted by Fr. Jenkins for students who are part of the AnBryce, Balfour-Hesburgh, Fighting Irish, Posse, and Questbridge programs. I noticed early on that Tarik is very organized and detail-oriented. We scheduled monthly calls over the summer - when he was already busy with a Microsoft internship in Seattle - and he was always prepared. Fast forward a few months into the academic year and Tarik successfully mobilized his cohorts of AnBryce and Questbridge scholars, as well as others, to attend this reception that he kicked off with inspiring remarks! To say it was a joy to meet Tarik and get to work on this special event with him would truly be an understatement. - Clare Mundy
Tarik returned to campus this fall after a Microsoft Explorer Internship program in Washington and will return to Microsoft next summer as an Software Engineering Intern. Tarik was also one of 75 participants at Harvard's Public Policy Leadership Conference last fall, which he credits with inspiring him to add a Public Policy Minor to his scholastic plans.
A native of Jacksonville, FL, Tarik is majoring in Computer Science with a minor from the Hesburgh Program of Public Policy.
"While I am very interested in the world of Software Engineering my interests also lie within volunteer work and giving back to various communities. I am always looking to nurture new relationships so do not be afraid to reach out!" - Tarik Brown