Hometown: Manassas, VA

Derek Sykes is majoring in Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he has repeatedly been on the Dean’s List. His campus activities include being president of the Black Student Movement, which is the second largest organization on campus with over 400 members. He is also an active member in the Mu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, serving as the education chair.  In the local community, Derek tutors for Chapel Hill Public Schools as part of the AVID program.

During the summer of 2005, Derek worked for Mineral Management Services.  In 2006, he interned at the DC Housing Authority.  And during his final summer with the Institute, Derek interned at Ginnie Mae (Government National Mortgage Association). 

Derek plans to pursue a Masters of Accounting after graduating and would like to work with the Philadelphia or District of Columbia Housing Authority.