Graduate Spotlight: Spring 2026 Salutatorian Kamaria Marshall

Austin native Kamaria Marshall knew she wanted to stay in Texas for college.

“So, I applied to really every school here,” she said. “I just felt like I needed a change of environment. I didn’t know a whole lot about HBCUs or different environments where it’s more diverse or tailored to students who look like me. So, just between TSU and Prairie View A&M, I felt like TSU was the best school and they gave me the most money. Everything lined up. It just felt right. It was easy, I was in the door, and I just felt like it was the best decision at the time.”

She entered as a political science major with aspirations of being an attorney. She completes her political science degree with a minor in Finance.

“It started with this pitch competition I did with Ally. We went to Charlotte, and that’s when I discovered the industry of banking and finance. I had a lot of questions for my mentors and the people that were helping us with the competition. I was with them for four days and I had a lot of questions about banking. I ended up taking an internship with them. It was in finance, specifically in compliance because I was very political science-focused then. I took some accounting classes after that and that’s what diverted my career path to Finance.”

Four years after arriving as part of one of the largest classes in Texas Southern University history, she completes her college career as salutatorian of the largest graduating class ever at TSU.

“I was surprised {by the news}. I was also proud because I knew all my work and sacrifice I made over the years was paying off and it did amount to something. I was kind of hoping for it but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much. I did come here on my own, so I didn’t have a choice to drop out or fail. So, my goal was to get the best grades possible. I didn’t expect to be perfect, but I wanted to give it my personal 100%. I would say what set me up the most was taking those first 2 years seriously. Even though it was those general education courses that everyone has to take, I made sure I took it seriously. I came to class. I went to office hours. I talked to the professors and I really utilized my time in the classroom so that way I could still have a life outside of that. I think even my freshman year I had 3 jobs. So I was balancing school and working and having a social life.”

Kamaria says Texas Southern taught her some valuable life lessons.

“It taught me that I am capable. It taught me that there are systems in place for me, that I am celebrated, that I do matter, and that I have a place here and in the world too. It taught me not to limit myself to one thing, one career field, one choice,” she said. “It also taught me the areas I needed to get it together. When I first came in, I was bad at time management. I’ll admit that. It taught me how to manage my time better, to take myself more seriously, to do it for me and not necessarily for someone else or even for the purpose of the degree but because my education and future are important. “

After graduation, she will dive into the world of Finance with a position at Fifth Third Bank as a full-time associate. During the two-year program, she will complete rotations in underwriting and sales, obtain certifications, and move into a managerial role at the end. Her long-term goal is to work in wealth management.

To future Tigers, she says to just be yourself.

“People really appreciate authenticity and honesty. You might come in here. Houston, not just at TSU, Houston can really change people. It’s important to not follow the crowd and to be an individual and to stay authentic. Just stick to your morals. Don’t bend or waver for anyone or anything. Be openminded. Understand things will change, life will change, people will change. As long as you’re being true to yourself, betting on yourself. Allow the change to happen in your environment and around you but control the controllables. Things will happen outside of your control. But, as long as you’re sticking to yourself and staying consistent, that’s really what matters.”

Watch Kamaria’s story, in her own words, here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw1SIAJ0934