Igniting A Spark
Prince George’s Community College Announces Rosie Allen-Herring Speaker for 60th Commencement
No stranger to Prince George’s Community College, the commencement speaker for this year’s graduating class will be Rosie Allen-Herring, president and CEO of United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA), who also serves on the board of the college’s foundation.
Rosie Allen-Herring, President and CEO of United Way of the National Capital Area
Earlier this year, Allen-Herring partnered with the college and Prince George’s County to announce resources available for individuals and families impacted by the partial federal government shutdown, which included free Financial Empowerment Centers at various locations, one at PGCC. Indeed, it was the United Way NCA that took the lead of pledging $50,000 to non-profit groups who were providing food, rent and other assistance during the shutdown and they successfully called on other organizations to match its pledge.
With more than 25 years of corporate philanthropy, strategic leadership, community investment, and her commitment to PGCC, it comes as little surprise that Allen-Herring has been chosen to be the speaker at the May 23 commencement at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. Her passion for her work, wisdom and inspiring words will likely create the spark that these graduates will find useful as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives.
“Prince George’s Community College is a preeminent educational institution and it is a distinct honor to be selected as the 2019 Commencement speaker,” said Allen-Herring. “The college serves as an innovation hub that inspires so many across this region. I am both humbled and excited to share my journey with the 2019 graduates.”
Allen-Herring earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Howard University, her Master in Business Administration from Strayer University, and is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Non-profit Management Program. She also was an international fellow of the United States-Southern Africa Center for Leadership and Public Values at the University of Cape Town (SA) Graduate School of Business, and Duke University Graduate School of Public Policy.
“Given the commitment of the United Way of the National Capital Area and Prince George’s Community College to public service and the uplifting of communities, we are delighted that Ms. Allen-Herring accepted our invitation to speak at the 60th Commencement exercises. Our joint partnership with the Veteran’s Center and the Financial Empowerment Center is indicative of the work we do jointly to serve the greater community,” said Dr. Charlene M. Dukes.
