Xavierite Junior Rahshnica Kilpatrick was named a recipient of the Victory Capital Scholarship. The Victory Capital Scholars Program was launched as part of a strategic alliance with Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA), awarding direct financial support to XULA students for expenses not covered by existing grants or awards. The partnership emphasizes inclusivity to diversify businesses and create better employment opportunities for African American students. The scholarship is awarded based on need and merit for students with a declared major or minor in Business or Finance.  

“Xavier is grateful for the support that Victory Capital is providing for our students,” said Dr. Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana, about the partnership. “With their diverse holdings and forward-thinking business model, Xavierites interested in finance, management, and business leadership could learn a lot from their experiences. Victory Capital’s investment in the talented young women and men of our institution allows for the opportunity of our students to explore new avenues of growth and achievement.” 

As a Business Management major, Kilpatrick is thankful for the Victory Capital Scholars Program as the scholarship has provided great support throughout her academic career. Kilpatrick has always had a passion for business and knew immediately after a campus tour that she wanted to attend Xavier, remembering the warm welcome she received from the XULA community.   

When COVID-19 began limiting campus activities and opportunities, Kilpatrick made it a point to participate in many Xavier programs to make the most of her college experience. She is happy to be involved in the XULA community, currently serving as a member of Vanguard and the American Marketing Association. Kilpatrick is also part of various student organizations, such as Xavier’s Peer Dean Association, Xavier Enactus, and has previously participated in Mobilization at Xavier 2.0 (M.A.X.). Campus involvement allowed Kilpatrick to fully embrace and value her time spent with fellow Xavierites.  

“You get a special appreciation for Xavier when you participate in clubs and activities because you’re able to see how much work students put in and how there is so much Xavier pride,” expressed Kilpatrick. 

Kilpatrick’s mother pursued an entrepreneurial career, which sparked Kilpatrick’s interest in business. Attending Xavier has only allowed Kilpatrick’s interest in business to grow as she has developed a deeper understanding of the business industry.  

“Being around entrepreneurs made me interested in the management side of business. I watched people go through the motions of starting their business and doing their own marketing to connect with others,” shared Kilpatrick. “Being at Xavier helped me look at business through another lens. Outside of being a customer, it’s interesting to see how much thought is put into creating businesses. There’s so much more to it than just being an entrepreneur.”  

Kilpatrick discovered the Victory Capital Scholars Program by seeking scholarship opportunities online. Being selected for the program meant a lot to her as Victory Capital has shown great willingness to help students succeed through providing financial assistance for student education.  

“I was happy to know that companies like Victory Capital are willing to look at your situation and help you out,” shared Kilpatrick. “College is a great experience, but it can be expensive. I was very appreciative of the scholarship, and it was a blessing to be able to have extra funds to cover anything that I needed.” 

“By taking action to promote equity and social mobility, we can advance students of color while building a more robust pipeline of high-quality candidates to fill future jobs in the financial industry,” shared Victory Capital CEO and Chairman David Brown in a press release announcing the program last year. 

Kilpatrick also thanks Xavier’s Division of Business for their significant role in helping to make her XULA experience great. The department’s supportive and close-knit nature helped Kilpatrick get the scholarship and has made Kilpatrick feel that XULA wants her to succeed.  

“I love the Division of Business because the faculty and staff always look out for you and make sure that you have the best opportunities. This summer, I completed an internship that I would not have gotten if one of the department professors hadn’t encouraged me and given me the push to apply,” shared Kilpatrick. “I know that they have my back because they’re great at pushing you outside of your comfort zone and making sure that you realize your worth and potential.” 

Kilpatrick is open to all future possibilities, planning to seize every opportunity that comes her way. Her personable skills and entrepreneurial spirit will allow her to excel in whichever career path she chooses.  

“After experiencing internships, I’m interested in mortgage lending, human resources, sales, and marketing for businesses. My husband and I also plan to own our own trucking company,” expressed Kilpatrick. “My career goal is to do what I love, which is talking to people. If my career has anything to do with helping accomplish a need for someone else, that’s a great place to start.” 

Kilpatrick advises Xavierites not to be afraid to put themselves out there. At Xavier, someone shared with her that sometimes we tell ourselves no before giving anyone else the opportunity to.  

“A lot of times, we psych ourselves out. A statistic I learned is men apply for a job if they meet 60% of the qualifications, but women only apply if they meet 100%,” stated Kilpatrick. “My advice to all, especially female Xavierites, is don’t be the first person to tell yourself ‘no.’ Put yourself out there to explore opportunities because if you don’t, you’ll never get them.”