Terrelonge is a first-generation college student from Portland, Jamaica. His decision to attend UDC began with the encouragement of a high school friend. After researching the university, he was drawn to its affordability and student opportunities, and once on campus he quickly made his mark through his academic achievements.
“My professors are really great,” Terrelonge says. “I love the class sizes and how small and interactive the course are. It makes me feel good that professors know my name within the first week of classes.” That sense of connection fueled his success: Terrelonge is now a three-time Dean’s list recipient and a recipient of the highest honors award.
At UDC, Terrelonge also embraced a community that felt like home. He became an active and regular part of student life. In addition to serving as vice president of the SGA and president of the Campus Activities Board, Terrelonge is also a former chapter president of the Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a charter member of the Collegiate Black Male Network. He is also the sixth Mr. University of the District of Columbia, and he currently works as a project manager in the UDC Student Center.
To those who meet Terrelonge at UDC, it might be surprising to know that he was not always interested in shaping his community. “In high school, I was never involved in school or student leadership,” he says. “When I graduated from high school, I realized I didn’t contribute in any way to the betterment of my institution. I felt like I came and reaped everything, but I didn’t leave anything for people coming after me. I knew then I had to get involved in student leadership at UDC.”
And he has certainly gotten involved. As Trustee, he will represent the student body in the university’s most important policy conversations. For Terrelonge, the role is both a responsibility and opportunity to ensure student voices remain at the center of institutional decision-making.
After graduation, Terrelonge plans to pursue a career in medicine with the goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. “Next year, UDC will see me again because I’ll be utilizing their medical assistant program,” he says. “I’m excited for my future.”
UDC is more than a university for Terrelonge. It is where he found his voice, gave back and built a legacy for students to come.