The vision of the Paul Quinn College Work Program (the Work Program) is to transform potential into achievement by encouraging all students to embrace the ideals of disciplined work, servant leadership, and initiative in preparation for lives of financial freedom, community engagement, and outstanding character.
The Work Program strives to “poverty proof” the education experience by 1) providing students with meaningful work opportunities that allow them to better serve the Paul Quinn community; 2) developing the necessary skills, habits, and experiences needed to be competitive in the 21st-century job market; and 3) actively contributing towards the cost of their education. This mission is fulfilled by:
As the nation’s first and only Urban Work College, Paul Quinn is in a unique position to prepare our students for their next step via an experiential model which starts with their very first day on campus. At Paul Quinn College, students have an opportunity to not just learn academically, but learn through the experiences of corporate opportunities. Our students spend their first summer and subsequent two semesters in an on-campus internship to set the foundation for the corporate opportunities to come in years 2-4. Our program is designed to provide our Quinnites with holistic professional development that will set them up for success beyond their time at Paul Quinn. We do this through our Preparing Leaders for Excellence (P.L.EX.) program and our 4E’s Framework:
All residential, full-time students are required to participate in the Work Program regardless of their financial need. As part of their participation, students work between 300 and 400 hours per academic year in order to earn a Work Program Scholarship and to receive a cash stipend. Students are permitted to work a minimum of 10 hours per week and a maximum of 20 hours per week.
Participation in the Work Program looks different for each student depending on the student’s interest and our campus needs. One student may assist administratively in the Registrar’s Office, while another develops networking skills at our External Affairs office and yet another, reaches beyond the gates of Paul Quinn by participating in the Corporate Work Program. With more than 35 on-campus work assignments to choose from and 40+ corporate partners, our goal is to lead by example by returning our students to their families and communities, better and more well-rounded than when they first enrolled at Paul Quinn.
Each on-campus assignment is staffed with a supervisor who is committed to ensuring that students perform their jobs well. More importantly, supervisors are primarily charged with developing and mentoring students through uplifting instruction and modeling positive behaviors and attitudes.
All students are required to complete Career Skills for the Global Marketplace. This class offers a transformative journey where students learn critical skills that are aligned with the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) core competencies for career readiness. These competencies include: critical thinking teamwork and collaboration, career management, and global/intercultural fluency. In addition to completing the course, students are required to complete the Microsoft Office Suite (MOS) Certification Preparation Course. After completing this course and additional professional development opportunities sponsored by corporate and community partners, students will have an understanding of what it takes to be an indispensable corporate intern.
Interns are assigned to supervisors who act both as a manager and a professional mentor. Interns receive formal work performance evaluations at both the midpoint and at the end of each semester. Supervisors regularly provide students with constructive feedback throughout the school year and conduct formal performance evaluations at the end of each semester. Evaluations are based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies. Students receive letter grades, “A” through “F,” based on the degree in which they fulfill the following expectations and skills:
Final evaluation grades are reported on students’ work transcripts but do not factor into academic GPAs. Upon completion of the Career Skills Course, the MOS certification, a year of on-campus work experience, and more than 25 hours of professional development workshops, students are ready for the Corporate Work Program (CWP). The CWP is an opportunity for students to gain real-world work experience. Corporate Partners are a critical component of the Paul Quinn Urban Work College model, providing work experience and financial assistance for students. Because of this important role in students success, corporate partners are asked to ensure that interns who work for them are given meaningful, substantial work that challenges them daily.
Businesses interested in becoming corporate partners make an annual payment to hire a Work Program intern. A portion of the payment is awarded to the student as a Corporate Work Program Scholarship. This amount substantially offsets the cost of attendance for students. Remaining portions of the payment go toward cash stipends for students as well as transportation costs. Corporate partners enjoy the option of paying the fee up front or in installments throughout the year.
After assessing a student’s level of work readiness, we identify placement opportunities for the student based on their major, professional skills, and personal career goals. The most qualified students are identified for the Corporate Work Program, the off-campus component of the Work Program. Corporate Work Program students work 16-20 hours per week, totaling 400 hours each academic year. Interns work throughout the Dallas-area in various industries, including non-profit organizations and government agencies. The College strives to find interns that match the qualifications and backgrounds described by corporate partners. While Paul Quinn selects the students who are eligible to participate in the program, corporate partners may interview and vet interns prior to hiring. All student interns are screened and are required to attend training before they are fully admitted into the Corporate Work Program and matched to corporate partners.
Handshake is a recruiting management system where employers can post all jobs and internships for PQC students and alumni. If you are not yet registered with Handshake, you will need to set up an account.
Our Career Center offers employers access to thousands of exemplary candidates through this valuable resource. Below you will find information to assist you with creating a Handshake account, connecting with PQC, posting a position and more.
Follow this guide to create a Handshake employer account. Once approved with your company, you will need to connect with PQC if your company has not already done so.
Once your profile is complete, you can post a job or internship for PQC students to view. This guide provides detailed instructions on How to Post a Job on Handshake.
Now that you’ve posted a job, you can link it to an active interview schedule via Handshake. Follow this guide to request your schedule to interview students either on campus or virtually.
If you have any questions, email WorkProgram@pqc.edu.
If you encounter any issues with Handshake, please use the following tools to resolve your concerns:
If you are actively recruiting at PQC, you’re welcome to reach out to the PQC Career Center staff for support by calling our main office number.
Handshake is used to connect students with personalized career opportunities both in person and virtual for the highest amount of career engagement while still keeping a personal touch. If you have any challenges logging in or registering, please reach out to workprogram@pqc.edu.
Students: Create a new account using your official PQC E-mail account.
Alumni: Please reach out to workprogram@pqc.edu with questions.
Create an account in FOCUS 2 to begin uncovering and investigating career and major options today. You will be asked questions related to things already familiar to you such as your personality, life preferences, and more. After just 30-40 minutes, you will be provided a customized list of possible career aspirations. A deeper understanding of yourself will give you the confidence you need to make more informed decisions about your education at Paul Quinn.
Create a new account using your official PQC E-mail account. | Access Code: pqcworks
I worked in the facilities department under the leadership of Nahydiel Molina. What I liked most about working in the facilities department was the opportunity to put my business management skills into action. The work was a hands-on experience that allowed me to meet staff and peers, all while earning money for my education.
I learned to be able to think strategically and to implement preventative plans for our campus. Prior to working in facilities, I had not given the important details related to running a facility, campus, or business the proper thought. The skills I learned, such as teamwork, service, and maintaining a clean campus that efficiently functions, while working in facilities can transfer to my plans to operate my own business.
Being a part of a work college and a work program has made my experience at Paul Quinn more than just attending classes. My experiences are invaluable because it has led to a summer internship. The program developed the skills and confidence in me that are needed for the world.
I like that I had access to my own cubicle, desk, phone, and two monitors I might add. I like that my boss was understanding and it was nice to not only have professional talks but also small talks occasionally. I also enjoyed the relationships that I made with colleagues in other departments. I learned that asking more questions to get a better understanding is good and that there aren’t dumb questions if you don’t know something.
I think a big thing that I took from my workstation is that I can be confident in my skills and talents and not feel inadequate in what I have not mastered yet. I will utilize the skills like shorthand keys and being detail-oriented as my driving qualities and work on my improvements like time management and prioritizing tasks.
Every since I was a teenager, I knew that I would have to work and nothing has changed now except knowing that I wouldn’t want a job that just pays the bills but a career that I love or like very much to elevate my goals. I feel like being part of both entities makes me feel like I am not only represented but I am also supported even when I am not in the room. It also feels great to get income from working as well as my tuition being reduced.
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Southwest Airlines, is the official airline of Paul Quinn and first airline in the school’s Corporate Work Program, investing in the school to promote diverse academic pathways, ultimately inspiring future generations to pursue careers within aviation. This strategic partnership comes at a time when there is a heightened imperative for the airline industry to attract and hire more diverse talent in their workforce.
As of March 2017, Paul Quinn College has joined the ranks of eight federally-funded work colleges as the ninth federally-funded work college in the United States, the first minority-serving institution in the Work Colleges Consortium, and the only work college in Texas. We come together around our “comprehensive work-learning-service programs”. President Sorrell currently serves as the Chair of the Work Colleges Consortium’s President’s Council and is the longest-serving President of the member institutions.
Current Consortium Members:
Director of the Work Program
Ashley V. Hamilton
Email: AHamilton@pqc.edu
Phone: 214.379.5512
Office: 206A
Associate Director of Work Program Training
Dr. Marta Torres
Email: WPTraining@pqc.edu
Phone: 214.379.5407
Office: 206B
Open Positions
Coach Keldrick McKinney is a native of Dallas, Texas who enters his third year as the Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach at Paul Quinn College. After serving one year as Associate Head Coach under the leadership of Coach Maurice West; Coach McKinney was given the opportunity by Paul Quinn’s legendary Athletic Director James “Zip” Summers.
The program has quickly grown from 3 to now 25 student athletes under the leadership of Coach McKinney. In the second year of competing at the Red River Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships, the Paul Quinn Tigers placed two athletes in the Top 10.
Coach McKinney received his bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Prairie View A&M University. After graduation he then opened a training facility where he trained hundreds of athletes. This provided the background and experience for Coach to thrive at the next level. Coach McKinney’s student-athletes not only excel on the track but also in the classroom as well. Coach McKinney’s team maintains over a 3.0 gpa.
Coach Michael Delgado has been coaching at the collegiate level since 2009. He began his coaching career at Howard Payne University, shortly after starting his time there as a collegiate soccer player. He began as a student coach and after graduating with a degree in Spanish Education, became an assistant.
In 2015, Coach Delgado moved back to Dallas to form the Men’s and Women’s Soccer program at Paul Quinn College as the assistant coach and became the head coach of the Women’s team in 2017. From 2015-2021 he was also the Men’s assistant coach.
In 2021, Coach Delgado took over the Men’s program and led the team as the #3 seed (highest in school history) to the USCAA National Championship for the 3rd year in a row, with a 3rd place finish.
Coach Delgado is a Dallas native and graduated from Mesquite Poteet High School as a district MVP & All-State. He holds his Master’s degree from Concordia University in Coaching & Athletic Administration. He resides in the campus neighborhood of Highland Hills and lives daily by his motto, #AlwaysRefuse2Lose.
Brandon Espinosa starts his fourth season as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Paul Quinn College.
Last season, Coach Espinosa and the Tigers had a historic 19 game turnaround from the previous year going from 7-25 to 26-2 (12-2 RRAC). Coach Espinosa led the 2021-2022 Tigers to the school’s first USCAA Men’s Division I National Championship and the 3rd overall national championship in school history. The Tigers also won the Red River Athletic Conference West (RRAC) regular season title for the first time since joining the conference in 1998. The Tigers finished the 2021-2022 season with the most RRAC wins and highest winning percentage in a season in program history.
The Tigers were the No. 1 seed at USCAA Nationals and had a dominant showing with 3 double digits wins. The championship game featured seven ties and ten lead changes. After trailing by four at half, 38-34, Bryant & Stratton led 67-65 with 6:33 left in the game. Henry Hampton hit a jumper a minute later to give Paul Quinn the lead to highlight a 10-0 run to seal the victory for the Tigers. Ja’Mare Redus led PQC with 18 points while Hampton finished with 17. Spencer McElway added 12, Ja’Mere Redus came off the bench and scored 11, and Steven Tynes chipped in seven points and nine assists.
While the team’s collective efforts were the deciding factor in their success, several outstanding individuals led them both on and off the court. Coach Brandon Espinosa was recognized as the USCAA National Coach of the Year. In addition, senior forward Spencer McElway was selected as a USCAA 1st Team All American, USCAA All Tournament Team and RRAC 2nd Team All Conference. Sophomore forward Trevoin Shaw was voted USCAA 1st Team All American, USCAA All Tournament Team and RRAC 1st Team All Conference. Sophomore guard Ja’mare Redus received USCAA Tournament MVP as well as USCAA 2nd Team All American Honors. Sophomore guard Torron Mingo Jr. earned the USCAA Academic All American award. Junior guard Caleb Thompson received the RRAC Champions of Character award.
During his first season with Paul Quinn, Espinosa led the Tigers to the most conference victories since 2012-2013. In addition, PQC had two players receive RRAC All Conference honors; Spencer McElway was 1st Team All RRAC and Mateo Escheik received 2nd Team All RRAC honors. McElway also joined the schools 1000-point club.
Espinosa also serves as the Director of EYBL and 17U Head Coach for Drive Nation which was founded by former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. This summer Drive Nation qualified for the 2021 Nike Peach Jam and currently has the most ESPN Top 100 ranked players in the country.
Espinosa has held coaching positions at Bossier Parish Community College, Ranger College and with the Dallas Mavericks NBA G-League affiliate, Texas Legends.
Espinosa is a native of Houston, Texas. He played collegiately for Dallas Christian College, where in 2010 they won the ACCA National Championship. Espinosa earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2011.
Paul Quinn did not compete in 2020-2021 due to Covid-19.
Camille Smith is in her first season at Paul Quinn College.
Smith was hired in early March and her most recent position was as an Assistant Coach for the WNBA Dallas Wings.
Prior to coaching, Smith played professionally for 10 seasons internationally and 12 seasons in the WNBA before retiring in 2019. Smith was drafted to the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2007 WNBA Draft as the 17th Overall pick. Amid the start of the 2008 WNBA season, Smith was selected in the Atlanta Dream dispersal draft before being traded to the Seattle Storm where Smith played and won a championship in 2010! In 2015 Smith was traded to the Connecticut Sun, then to the Phoenix Mercury in 2017, where she finished her career.
Internationally, Smith played on multiple teams in Israel (2015 Israel League Champion) and China. She also played in Turkey, Limassol, Cyrpus, Ragusa, Sicily (2016 Cup Champion), Lebanon (2017 Arab Cup Champion), Montpelier, France, and Venice, Italy (2018 Euro Cup runner-up).
As a former student-athlete at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Camille graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in interpersonal communications. A four-time All-ACC selection, she finished her college career with over 1,700 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists, and 250 steals. As a senior, Camille averaged 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game along with 99 steals to help the Tar Heels reach the Final Four. Camille is ranked among the top 20 all-time scorers at UNC and was named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press following her junior year. She averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds as a junior. As a sophomore, Camille averaged 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in the ACC tournament, including a 23-point game against Duke in the finals. In 2004, she was named ACC Rookie of the Year and was the only freshman selected as a finalist for Kodak All-American honor. Camille became the first Tar Heel to be named first-team All-ACC as a freshman.
In high school, Camille was named Associated Press NC Player of the Year and NC Miss Basketball (Class 3A; 2003). Camille was also awarded State Player of the Year by the Charlotte Observer and NC Gatorade Player of the Year (2002 and 2003). In 2001, Camille shared AP Player of the Year honors at Carver High School and helped her team finish with a 30-0 record and State Championship. Camille is a three-time All-State Selection and averaged 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during her senior year. She holds the record of 2,168 career points during her high school career, was a McDonald’s High School All-American, and played in the 2002 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. Camille was also named Piedmont Triad All-Conference, four years in a row, and Piedmont Triad Conference Player of the Year, three years in a row.
Camille Smith & her husband Jeremis Smith are happily married & live in the Historical Stop 6 Community.
Coach Patrick Gonzalez is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with emphasis in Criminal Justice from Texas Wesleyan University. He also has a M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Concordia University in Austin, Texas. He has coached volleyball for over thirteen years. He has coached on the high school, club, and collegiate level.
He currently coaches for 360 Volleyball Club in Arlington, Texas. Coach Gonzalez brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Paul Quinn College volleyball program. He served as the women’s assistant volleyball coach at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee for five seasons. While at Fisk University, Coach Gonzalez served as an Admissions Counselor and Director of International Student Services in the Office of Student Engagement. He has also worked at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and served as the Associate Director of Minority Outreach in the Office of Admissions. He most recently was selected into the Big XII Reach & Teach Volleyball Diversity Program.