This week we are profiling another alumni leader from one of our 173 chartered alumni communities.  Marshawn Wolley lives in Indianapolis and is a member of the Neal-Marshall Alumni Club.  He was interviewed by Baindu Lucy Bayon, Ph.D., Vice President of Neal-Marshall.

When did you attend Indiana University?

I attended IU undergrad from 1999-2003. I stayed for graduate school as well and have since earned an MPA (2006) and an MBA (2012).

What is your fondest memory of Indiana University?

My fondest memory was working with then Chancellor Brehm and Vice President Charlie Nelms as President of the Black Student Union. We had a lot of activity that year but the one effort that was most meaningful was our work in response to student concerns about the Thomas Hart Benton Mural with a cross burning in Woodburn Hall. Once we raised the issue and filed our complaints with the university, Chancellor Brehm challenged my leadership team to identify all of the possible solutions to the problem. I think having Dr. Nelms involved in the deliberations with the administration was exceedingly important to me as he had a stellar reputation as an advocate on campus. Chancellor Brehm decided to add $4 million over 5 years to diversity, recruitment and retention efforts for the campus. She also called for an annual state of diversity report and a number of other initiatives to address what was perceived as a racially “chilly” campus.

One of my fondest memories at IU was sharing the stage with the late Ossie Davis. I was president of the Black Student Union, and was speaking on behalf of the organization at the opening of the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center.  I was extremely nervous. I knew it was a big university event. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were receiving honorary degrees. I had to give a speech speaking to the meaning of the culture center to the student body. I trembled like a leaf under my robe but managed to get the speech out without embarrassing myself. Ossie Davis, whom I was seated next too told me I did a great job. He A faculty member who heard it, Dr. Wiggins said I was a “rapper.” then got up and gave the most profound statement on humanity I have ever heard seemingly off the top of his head. It was amazing.

What have you been up to since your time at Indiana University?

I have had a privileged career. After graduating from SPEA with an MPA I served as an appointed official in the mayor’s of the city of Indianapolis. I worked on crime prevention and quality of life issues. I then managed the minority and women business program for the Indiana Convention Center Phase V expansion. I also served on the senior management team for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee as Director of the Emerging Business Program and Community Outreach. I then had the opportunity to work as Director of Partner Relations at Visit Indy. I’m now a faculty member and Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at SPEA IUPUI.

As a volunteer, I’ve been proud to serve on the board of the Indianapolis Urban League and lead the  national award winning Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League. I’ve also served as President of the Indiana Democratic African American Caucus-Indianapolis. I’ve served on the Greater Indianapolis NAACP and as a parliamentarian with the Concerned Clergy. I currently serve on the Near North Development Corporation and Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership boards.

I’m also Alexander Wolley’s Dad.

How do you stay connected to friends you made while at Indiana University?

I stay pretty busy so social media including Linked In and Facebook are ways I stay connected.

What do you love most about being a Hoosier?

I appreciate the Midwestern values of humility, treating people with respect and just common decency.

What about IU makes you proud?

I had world-class experiences. IU had one of the first Africana Studies departments in the country and I learned a lot about myself while matriculating in their program. SPEA Bloomington is No. 1 and SPEA IUPUI has one of the best non-profit programs in the country. I got a chance to learn about political theory from Elinor Ostrom, Vincent Ostrom and Amos Sawyer, a former president of Liberia, at the Workshop on Political Theory. I met Ossie Davis. I also went to school with a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, a star on a hit TV show, a number of Black CPAs, Doctors and lawyers and a number of scholars producing important work in the academy.