Kobe Brown ‘26 Never Planned to Go to College

Now He's a Federal Contract Specialist.

When Kobe Brown walked across the graduation stage in May 2026, he was already employed as a contract specialist for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Four years earlier, he said, "I never wanted to go to college."

That candor is part of what makes Brown's story worth telling. After a semester in community college that left him unconvinced college was for him, he found his way to Bowie State University through open enrollment, transferring in for what he now calls the best decision he ever made.

Brown graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a concentration in management. He credits much of his success to his Strada HBCU Initiative scholarship, which offered Brown far more than tuition help. The program centers on career connections and professional development, giving students the interpersonal skills that translate directly into job offers.

"The Strada scholarship is more than just money going towards your tuition. I was able to network with other people and take professional development courses throughout the year. I learned how to communicate and especially have an elevator speech ready because you never know who you might rub elbows with one day."

The scholarship also connected Brown to an annual national summit where students from historically Black colleges and universities across the country gather to network. A leadership contact through Strada led to Brown's first internship, as a human resources intern at a data center. One internship led to another, and by graduation, Brown had completed a total of six.

"I probably got up to 200 no's. All you need is one yes. So I just say, keep yourself out there."

That persistence eventually led him to a contract specialist trainee internship with the DHS during his senior year, a position that became a full-time role upon graduation. Brown says balancing a demanding federal internship with a full course load meant learning to manage his time. He studied and completed coursework on his off days, allowing him to focus fully on his work during internship hours.

"This schedule definitely prepared me for the real world. Things aren't always going to be straightforward. Different, unexpected things are always coming at you."

Brown lived on campus for two years before commuting an hour each way from Southern Maryland for the rest of his time at Bowie State. While the balancing act wasn't always easy, he says it mirrors the discipline his career would eventually demand.

Looking ahead, Brown plans to build his federal career and eventually pursue a director-level role to put his management degree to work. His advice for incoming students is simple: seek out internships early and treat professional relationship-building as a skill, not an afterthought.

"Networking is essential. You never know who you might run into one day, or when somebody might need you."

For Brown, that philosophy is also what it means to be Bowie Bold.

"Being Bowie Bold is being ambitious. We're an entrepreneurial school with a drive to always excel."

Brown's path from a reluctant college freshman to a federal contract specialist shows how unexpected opportunities can reshape a career trajectory.

"It's never too late. Your plans can always change. I never saw myself doing what I'm doing now, but I'm glad I was open to changing them."