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Paul Quinn College was founded in a moment of national uncertainty, when the future of formerly enslaved people and their progeny was still undecided and access to education was an act of resistance. On April 4, 1872, a small group of African Methodist Episcopal Church preachers opened a school in the basement of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Austin, Texas with a clear purpose: to educate formerly enslaved people and their descendants so they could claim dignity, opportunity, and self-determination through learning.
Originally known as the Connectional School for the Education of Negro Youth, the institution taught practical trades alongside intellectual rigor, preparing students not just to work, but to lead. From its earliest days, the College understood that survival alone was not the goal. Leadership, agency, and collective progress were.
That belief took root and flourished in Waco.
When the College relocated there in 1877, Waco became more than a home. It became a proving ground. Then known as Waco College, the institution trained Black men and women in trades essential for economic independence in an increasingly segregated South, while also expanding access to classical education. Students learned blacksmithing, carpentry, sewing, and domestic sciences alongside Latin, mathematics, music, theology, and English. This balance of head, hands, and heart shaped generations of leaders and anchored a proud alumni legacy that endures today.
Under the leadership of Bishop William Paul Quinn, African Methodist Episcopal districts across the South united to secure the College’s future. Land was acquired. Curriculum expanded. Faculty increased. In 1881, the State of Texas formally chartered the institution and renamed it Paul Quinn College, honoring the Bishop whose vision transformed possibility into permanence. By the close of the nineteenth century, the College stood in Waco as a beacon of faith-driven education and Black excellence.
In 1990, Paul Quinn College moved to Dallas to meet a new moment and a greater need. The relocation positioned the College to serve urban communities, expand opportunity, and continue its mission in a rapidly changing world. What remained constant was purpose. Faith still guided the work. Education still served as the pathway to freedom.
That foundation still guides us today. Rooted in a Christian philosophy of education, we develop the whole person academically, socially, and spiritually, while preparing servant leaders to eradicate intergenerational poverty and change the global marketplace. Innovation is not new to us. It is who we have always been.
For more than 150 years, we have stood for a simple truth: progress is not about individual success alone. At Paul Quinn College, WE Over Me is not a phrase. It is a promise. We lead with purpose, grounded in faith, guided by history, and focused on what comes next.
This is the legacy. And this is only the beginning.
Charles Smith represents the power of education, discipline, and unwavering commitment to young people. A proud member of the Class of 1971, his legacy stands at the intersection of scholarship, mentorship, and athletic excellence, reflecting the very heart of Paul Quinn College.
Born in Central Louisiana and raised as the oldest of seven children, Smith became the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. At Paul Quinn College, he majored in mathematics and arrived on a baseball scholarship, sharpening both his analytical mind and his sense of perseverance. That foundation would shape a career defined not by shortcuts, but by consistency, patience, and purpose.
After returning to Louisiana, Smith committed his life to education. In 1975, he joined Peabody Magnet High School as a math teacher and assistant basketball coach. Ten years later, he stepped into the role of head coach and began one of the most extraordinary coaching runs in American sports history. Over the next four decades, Smith amassed more than 1,200 career wins, captured nine state championships, and became Louisiana’s all-time winningest high school basketball coach, ranking fourth nationally.
Yet championships only tell part of the story. Smith has sent more than 80 student-athletes to college on scholarships, opening doors to higher education for young people who might never have
Imagined it possible. His coaching tree includes professional players, educators, and leaders who continue his commitment to discipline and character, including members of his own family.
In 2024, Smith’s influence was recognized on the sport’s highest stage with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, making him only the sixth high school coach ever to receive the honor. It was a milestone earned not through spectacle, but through decades of steady excellence and service.
At Paul Quinn College, we celebrate Charles Smith as more than a legendary coach. We honor an educator who used mathematics, mentorship, and basketball to change lives, proving that leadership is measured by who you lift along the way.
Hiawatha Williams embodies what it means to turn faith, perseverance, and purpose into lasting impact. A proud member of the Class of 1972, his journey reflects the very best of Paul Quinn College: resilience rooted in belief, leadership grounded in service, and success measured by what is given back.
Born in Smithville, Texas, and raised amid poverty, Williams became the first of fourteen siblings to graduate from college. That milestone mattered not only for him, but for everyone who would follow. With a Paul Quinn education as his foundation, he entered the workforce with humility, discipline, and vision. Early experience in the restaurant industry sharpened his skills and strengthened his resolve to build something of his own.
On April 27, 1987, that vision became reality when Williams opened the first Williams Chicken drive-thru in Dallas. What began as a single location grew into more than 30 restaurants across North Texas, employing hundreds of people and earning the trust of generations. Known for chicken cooked fresh and never frozen, the brand became more than a place to eat. It became a neighborhood staple.
Business success, however, was never the end goal. Guided by the principle “Serve. Grow. Give Back to the Community”, Williams built a company anchored in values. Through education initiatives, youth mentorship, workforce development, philanthropy, and public speaking, he has consistently invested in the people and communities that supported him.
In 2022, the City of Dallas honored his legacy by naming a community center in Oak Cliff after him, recognizing not just an entrepreneur, but a true community builder.
At Paul Quinn College, we celebrate Hiawatha Williams as a servant leader, mentor, and legacy builder whose life reminds us that when success is shared, it becomes transformational.
Jeff Dunner and Dr. Bess Dunner represent one of the most enduring and impactful legacies in the history of Paul Quinn College. Their story is not only about professional achievement, but about lifelong loyalty, shared purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the Quinnite Nation. Together, they have built a life committed to building systems that uplift children, families, and communities across generations.
Jeff Dunner, a native of Aliceville, Alabama, arrived at Paul Quinn College in 1968 as a gifted student-athlete and education major. His studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1970 and deployed to Vietnam. After his honorable discharge in 1972, he returned to Paul Quinn College, where he met the love of his life, Bess Carpenter. Jeff graduated in 1974 and went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Over a 40-year career in Texas public schools, he taught biology and mathematics and became one of Waco’s most respected junior high basketball coaches. He also served 25 years in the National Guard and remains a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Dr. Bess Carpenter Dunner’s work reflects a profound commitment to equity, dignity, and care. A two-time graduate of Paul Quinn College, she earned degrees in business and education before completing advanced graduate study. Across more than four decades, she served as a special
education teacher, principal, program administrator, healthcare specialist, and chief executive officer, leading programs that supported individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, and families across Texas. Today, she continues that service as a Trustee of Paul Quinn College and as a former President of the Paul Quinn College National Alumni Association.
Married for 50 years, Jeff and Dr. Bess Dunner have built a life defined by faith, education, and generosity. Their commitment to Paul Quinn College extends far beyond their own degrees. Through sustained engagement, leadership, and transformative philanthropy, they have helped ensure that future generations of Quinnites have access to opportunity, support, and possibility.
At Paul Quinn College, we honor Jeff and Dr. Bess Dunner as pillars of the Quinnite Nation. We celebrate them not only for what they achieved individually, but for the life they built together. Their legacy reminds us that the truest measure of success is not what one achieves alone, but what one invests in others and sustains for generations to come.
State Representative Toni Rose exemplifies what it means to lead with heart, discipline, and results. A proud member of the Paul Quinn College Class of 1993, she has built a distinguished career grounded in service to community and an unwavering commitment to improving lives across Texas.
Since being sworn into the Texas House of Representatives in 2013, Representative Rose has represented District 110, which includes Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, Balch Springs, and surrounding Dallas County communities. Her work centers on issues that matter most to families, including mental health, access to affordable healthcare, and criminal justice reform. Before entering elected office, she served as a mental health liaison at Parkland Health & Hospital System, bringing frontline experience into public service.
Representative Rose is widely recognized as one of the Capitol’s most effective lawmakers. She serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Calendars and holds key roles on the House Committees on Appropriations, Human Services, and Redistricting. Through these positions, she has delivered more than $1.5 billion in funding for critical priorities, including local mental health authorities, Early Childhood Intervention programs, and the Texas Behavioral Health Center at UT Southwestern. She has also secured more than $80 million to fight child hunger and expanded wages and protections for home care attendants.
Her legislative impact extends beyond budgets. Representative Rose authored House Bill 12, which extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to twelve months, a landmark step in preventing pregnancy-related deaths. She has advanced legislation to expand access to prescription medication, improve care for sickle cell patients, support aging Texans, and strengthen services for children and families.
Her record has earned statewide and national recognition, including being named one of Texas Monthly’s “Best Legislators” and inclusion on Capitol Inside’s “Ten Best” list. She has been honored by AARP, Mental Health America, No Kid Hungry, and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, among many others.
At Paul Quinn College, we celebrate Toni Rose as a servant leader whose community-first philosophy proves that when policy is rooted in compassion and accountability, it can transform lives at scale.
Nuru Witherspoon stands as a powerful example of what it means to lead with conviction and purpose. A proud graduate of the Class of 1999, he has built a national reputation as a fearless advocate whose work in the courtroom has changed lives, challenged powerful institutions, and expanded access to justice across the country.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Witherspoon arrived at Paul Quinn College with a growing awareness of injustice and a determination to confront it. Experiences living across the United States sharpened that resolve and clarified his calling. At Paul Quinn, he developed the discipline, confidence, and sense of responsibility that would guide him forward. He later earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi, carrying with him the values shaped by his HBCU education.
As founder and partner of The Witherspoon Law Group, Witherspoon leads one of the nation’s most formidable minority-owned law firms. His team has secured justice for families in more than 25 states, delivering some of the largest jury verdicts in American history, including landmark awards of $105 million and $158 million. These victories reflect more than legal skill. They reflect persistence, preparation, and a refusal to be intimidated by the size or power of those on the other side.
Witherspoon believes responsibility grows alongside achievement. He has invested millions to build a community center dedicated to celebrating and uplifting Black culture, heritage, and values. Through mentorship, philanthropy, and intentional community engagement, he continues to ensure that success circulates rather than concentrates.
At Paul Quinn College, we celebrate Nuru Witherspoon as a servant leader whose life affirms a simple truth. When justice is pursued with courage and anchored in family and community, its impact reaches far beyond the courtroom.
Kevin Kelley represents a new generation of Paul Quinn College leadership. He is an attorney, entrepreneur, and cultural architect whose work proves that excellence, ownership, and community responsibility can and must exist together. A proud graduate of the Class of 2000, his journey reflects the power of imagination paired with discipline and a deep commitment to giving back.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Dallas, Kelley arrived at Paul Quinn College as a driven student and campus leader. He graduated with the confidence to lead and the conviction that success should always create opportunity for others. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Houston, launching a career rooted in accountability, advocacy, and results.
As founder of Kevin Kelley Concepts, Kelley owns and operates a portfolio spanning law, hospitality, entertainment, and commercial real estate across the United States. His ventures include the Kelley Law Firm, P.C., which has recovered more than $500 million for families affected by wrongful death and serious injury, and Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley, a hospitality brand redefining Southern comfort food in Dallas, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte.
Opening Kitchen + Kocktails in downtown Dallas during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was a bold act of belief. The restaurant quickly became a cultural destination, known for elevated cuisine,
crafted cocktails, and immersive design. Across his businesses, Kelley has created more than 650 jobs, intentionally investing in Black and brown talent and building pathways to long-term career success.
Grounded in faith and family, Kelley is a devoted husband and proud father of two sons, both collegiate athletes at Princeton University. He often credits his mother, Deborah Kelley-Hill, whose guidance, spiritual grounding, and hands-on leadership continue to shape his values and his work. Family remains the anchor for how he leads, serves, and builds.
At Paul Quinn College, we celebrate Kevin Kelley as a visionary who understands that ownership matters, details matter, and people matter. His legacy reminds us that when leadership comes home, it lifts everyone with it.
Paul Quinn College alumni lead education at every level, from classrooms to districts to national institutions. United by purpose and service, these leaders improve outcomes for students, strengthen school systems, and mentor the next generation of educators. Their work reflects our belief that education is both a calling and a responsibility. Together, they represent the enduring impact of a Paul Quinn education rooted in excellence, equity, and leadership that puts students first.
Dr. Maya Weatherton ’99 Provost, Relay Graduate School of Education
A nationally respected education leader, Dr. Weatherton oversees teacher preparation and institutional excellence at Relay. Her career spans classroom teaching, school turnaround leadership, and national impact in public education.
Tiffany Huitt ’99 Chief of Schools, Dallas Independent School District
Huitt leads school performance and academic strategy across Dallas ISD. A former science teacher and principal, she has shaped STEM education, policy, and leadership development at the district and national levels.
Dr. Tanya Shelton ’99 Associate Superintendent, Dallas Independent School District
With more than two decades in Dallas ISD, Dr. Shelton has driven districtwide gains in instruction, leadership development, and college and career readiness, always leading with kids in mind.
Tameca Ward ’03 Principal, Dr. L. G. Pinkston Sr. High School
A proud West Dallas leader, Ward brings integrity, accountability, and heart to her campus, building a school culture rooted in excellence, empowerment, and community pride.
Danny Colbert Jr. ’06 Principal, Duncanville High School
Colbert leads one of Texas’s largest high schools with a focus on instructional excellence, staff development, and student-centered systems that prepare graduates for bold futures.
Marco Barker ’04 Executive Director, Sunset Vertical Team, Dallas ISD
An internationally recognized turnaround leader, Barker has guided multiple campuses to top state and national recognition, including a National Blue Ribbon School designation.
Claudio Urbina ’05 Athletic Coordinator & Head Football Coach, W. H. Adamson High School
A former Paul Quinn student-athlete, Urbina has built championship programs in football and soccer while serving as a respected educator and mentor in Dallas ISD.
Ryan Carrington ’14 Head Boys Basketball Coach, Molina High School
Carrington develops young men on and off the court, building winning programs while continuing the leadership legacy that earned him an academic initiative named in his honor at Paul Quinn.
Johnitta Rose Williams ’05 2025 Teacher of the Year, Dr. L. G. Pinkston Sr. High School
A campus leader and mentor, Williams has dedicated over a decade to student leadership, school culture, and excellence, earning district-wide recognition for her impact.
Wilberth Barrera ’15 2025 Teacher of the Year, Stephen C. Foster Elementary School
A bilingual educator and Dallas native, Barrera empowers students through confidence, curiosity, and high expectations, modeling what is possible through perseverance and service.
Paul Quinn College’s legacy is not confined to the past. It is alive in a new generation of alumni who are leading with confidence, creativity, and conviction across government, business, education, finance, media, and technology. These young alumni are proof that when purpose meets preparation, impact follows quickly. They are building careers that matter and shaping futures that extend far beyond themselves.
Victoria Bryant ’19 NNSA Graduate Fellow, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
A first-generation college graduate, Bryant combines data-driven public service with national impact. In 2025, she earned her Master of Public Affairs from Brown University, where she was awarded a full-tuition scholarship at the Watson Institute.
Roberto Hernandez ’18 Senior Photographer, Dallas Mavericks
A nationally recognized visual storyteller, Hernandez has helped redefine the Dallas Mavericks’ creative identity and is recognized as one of the top sports photographers to follow today.
Destiny Modeste ’17 Senior Social Strategist, Taylor
A Presidential Scholar and Valedictorian, Modeste leads award-winning campaigns for global brands while remaining deeply committed to service, mentorship, and community impact.
Donavan E. Ellison ’20 Assistant Director of Recruiting, University of Arkansas Football
Ellison is a sports and athletics professional whose career highlights the power of early, hands-on experience. Internships with the Dallas Cowboys, Charlotte Hornets, and Carolina Panthers led to professional roles with the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. In his current role, he supports college and NIL athletes while continuing to champion internships as a critical pathway to career success.
Ade Owoseni ’18 Urban Investment Group, Goldman Sachs Valedictorian of the Class of 2018
Owoseni earned his MBA from The Wharton School in 2025 and now advances community-focused investment through global finance, grounded in faith and servant leadership.
Evelyna Rosario ’20 Senior Strategic Engagement Associate, JPMorganChase
A former Miss Paul Quinn College and SGA President, Rosario now advances inclusion and engagement at JPMorganChase while shaping national conversations on HBCU investment.
Alexya Soto ’21 Business Analyst, Lowe’s Media Network
A first-generation college graduate from Oak Cliff, Soto turned a Paul Quinn internship into a thriving corporate career, creating pathways she once had to search for.
Ashley Brooks ’19 Professional Football Player, Rondonopolis Hawks (Brazil)
A native of Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Brooks is the first islander to play professional American football in Europe and Brazil. A Paul Quinn College graduate in Business Administration, he has competed internationally while remaining committed to mentorship, faith, and community impact.
At Paul Quinn College, athletics are an extension of who we are. For us, winning is about pride, discipline, and representing something greater than ourselves.
The Tigers’ legacy is championship proven. Our men’s basketball program has claimed three national championships, earning titles in 1990, 1995, and 2022 and cementing Paul Quinn College as a national force. In 2025, our women’s volleyball team added to that tradition with a national championship, showcasing teamwork, resilience, and elite performance on the national stage. These victories reflect decades of commitment to student-athletes who compete with heart and purpose.
That commitment is visible across our campus. Paul Quinn’s athletic facilities are designed to inspire excellence and community pride. Our iconic basketball court is more than a place to play. It is a visual statement that celebrates culture, history, and the belief that sport can tell a story. Our state-of-the-art soccer field provides student-athletes with a modern, high-performance environment, while our newly renovated volleyball gym reflects continued investment in women’s athletics and competitive excellence.
The Tigers’ impact now extends beyond campus. Paul Quinn College is proud to be the only college partnered with ANTA, through a groundbreaking relationship connected to NBA champion Kyrie
Irving. This partnership places our student-athletes on a national stage, providing elite gear, visibility, and recognition that few colleges can claim.
At Paul Quinn College, championships matter. Facilities matter. Partnerships matter. But what matters most is how our Tigers carry themselves. They lead with discipline, compete with integrity, and represent a legacy built on We Over Me.
Paul Quinn College has never measured impact by size alone. We measure it by alignment, courage, and the collective commitment of partners across corporate, civic, educational, and cultural sectors who choose to build alongside us. What is visible here is only a glimpse. Our work is made possible through a broad network of collaborators who believe in our mission and invest their talent, trust, and resources to help it thrive.
That shared belief is reflected in our partnership with Trammell S. Crow, whose transformational investment helped make possible the first new campus buildings in decades and signaled a renewed era of confidence in Paul Quinn College. It is strengthened through hundreds of corporate partners who power our Urban Work College Model, ensuring our students graduate with both a degree and meaningful professional experience.
We expand opportunity and cultural impact through partnerships with the Dallas Mavericks, including the creation of the innovative Mavericks major that connects sport, business, and leadership. Our collaboration with Southwest Airlines, the official airline of the Quinnite Nation,
reflects a shared commitment to access, mobility, and investing in people. Our groundbreaking partnership with ANTA, alongside Kyrie Irving, positioned Paul Quinn College as the first college partner in a global initiative elevating HBCUs on a national stage.
Education and community remain central to our work. Through partnerships with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, we host an annual summer concert that brings art and community together on our campus. Our collaborations with Crowley Independent School District, KIPP, and Dallas Independent School District strengthen educational pipelines, including the presence of schools on our campus. We extend opportunity further through partnerships with institutions like Duke University, where our students study on campus and benefit from years of mentorship through Duke’s Dallas alumni community.
Together, these partnerships tell a clear story. When mission leads, partnership follows. At Paul Quinn College, shared vision becomes shared responsibility, and shared responsibility becomes lasting impact.
Under the leadership of President Michael J. Sorrell, Paul Quinn College entered a defining era marked by conviction, clarity, and purposeful transformation. At pivotal moments, we chose to lead with intention, grounding every decision in faith, dignity, and responsibility to our students and our community.
Early in this chapter, Paul Quinn College made national headlines with the We Are Not Trash movement, a student-led stand against environmental injustice that challenged the expansion of a landfill near campus. More than a protest, it was a declaration of worth. It affirmed that our students and surrounding neighborhoods deserved investment, care, and respect, and it signaled a clear posture for the College. Paul Quinn College would advocate boldly for its people and its place.
Throughout this era, students were never peripheral to the work. They were the reason for it. Their dignity, potential, and success shaped decision-making at every level, from policy to programming
to partnerships. President Sorrell’s leadership centered students not as recipients of change, but as partners in it, ensuring that innovation always served real lives and real futures.
That values-first posture reshaped our institutional culture. WE over Me became the guiding principle for how we lead, learn, and serve, reinforcing the belief that progress is collective. Alongside it, the Four L’s embedded character, accountability, and purpose into daily practice, ensuring that values were not symbolic, but operational.
Innovation followed conviction. The transformation of our football field into the WE over Me Farm reimagined how institutional resources could serve both students and community. Addressing food insecurity while teaching responsibility and sustainability, the farm became a national symbol of purpose-driven leadership and a tangible expression of who we are.
This period also brought national affirmation. In 2011, Paul Quinn College was named HBCU of the Year, marking a moment of recognition not for tradition alone, but for leadership rooted in courage and values lived out in action. What emerged was a reaffirmation that faith-driven clarity, when paired with bold execution, produces lasting change.
Paul Quinn College stands today as a nationally recognized model for purpose-driven innovation in higher education. Through disciplined leadership and values-aligned execution, the College has redefined what is possible for institutions committed to student success, community impact, and economic mobility.
Central to this progress is the creation of the nation’s first Urban Work College, a bold evolution of the traditional work-college model designed for cities and the modern economy. Every student works. Every student earns. Every student graduates with both a degree and meaningful professional experience. Education became not only preparation for life, but a direct tool to eradicate intergenerational poverty.
As outcomes followed intention, recognition followed results. Paul Quinn College has been named among the most innovative colleges in America and has earned major national awards for leadership, creativity, and student success. President Sorrell’s leadership has been repeatedly honored, and the institution has become a reference point for colleges seeking to align mission with measurable impact.
This era also brought visible growth and alignment. New buildings rose for the first time in decades. Partnerships expanded across corporate, civic, educational, and cultural sectors. Athletics, academics, culture, and community engagement now move in concert around a shared mission.
This moment is not a conclusion. It is momentum. Nation-building does not pause for recognition. It accelerates. At Paul Quinn College, the foundation is set, the direction is clear, and the future is unfolding. We are not finished. We are just warming up.
WE OVER Me
Coach Keldrick McKinney is a native of Dallas, Texas who enters his third year as the Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach at Paul Quinn College. After serving one year as Associate Head Coach under the leadership of Coach Maurice West; Coach McKinney was given the opportunity by Paul Quinn’s legendary Athletic Director James “Zip” Summers.
The program has quickly grown from 3 to now 25 student athletes under the leadership of Coach McKinney. In the second year of competing at the Red River Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships, the Paul Quinn Tigers placed two athletes in the Top 10.
Coach McKinney received his bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Prairie View A&M University. After graduation he then opened a training facility where he trained hundreds of athletes. This provided the background and experience for Coach to thrive at the next level. Coach McKinney’s student-athletes not only excel on the track but also in the classroom as well. Coach McKinney’s team maintains over a 3.0 gpa.
Coach Michael Delgado has been coaching at the collegiate level since 2009. He began his coaching career at Howard Payne University, shortly after starting his time there as a collegiate soccer player. He began as a student coach and after graduating with a degree in Spanish Education, became an assistant.
In 2015, Coach Delgado moved back to Dallas to form the Men’s and Women’s Soccer program at Paul Quinn College as the assistant coach and became the head coach of the Women’s team in 2017. From 2015-2021 he was also the Men’s assistant coach.
In 2021, Coach Delgado took over the Men’s program and led the team as the #3 seed (highest in school history) to the USCAA National Championship for the 3rd year in a row, with a 3rd place finish.
Coach Delgado is a Dallas native and graduated from Mesquite Poteet High School as a district MVP & All-State. He holds his Master’s degree from Concordia University in Coaching & Athletic Administration. He resides in the campus neighborhood of Highland Hills and lives daily by his motto, #AlwaysRefuse2Lose.
Brandon Espinosa starts his fourth season as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Paul Quinn College.
Last season, Coach Espinosa and the Tigers had a historic 19 game turnaround from the previous year going from 7-25 to 26-2 (12-2 RRAC). Coach Espinosa led the 2021-2022 Tigers to the school’s first USCAA Men’s Division I National Championship and the 3rd overall national championship in school history. The Tigers also won the Red River Athletic Conference West (RRAC) regular season title for the first time since joining the conference in 1998. The Tigers finished the 2021-2022 season with the most RRAC wins and highest winning percentage in a season in program history.
The Tigers were the No. 1 seed at USCAA Nationals and had a dominant showing with 3 double digits wins. The championship game featured seven ties and ten lead changes. After trailing by four at half, 38-34, Bryant & Stratton led 67-65 with 6:33 left in the game. Henry Hampton hit a jumper a minute later to give Paul Quinn the lead to highlight a 10-0 run to seal the victory for the Tigers. Ja’Mare Redus led PQC with 18 points while Hampton finished with 17. Spencer McElway added 12, Ja’Mere Redus came off the bench and scored 11, and Steven Tynes chipped in seven points and nine assists.
While the team’s collective efforts were the deciding factor in their success, several outstanding individuals led them both on and off the court. Coach Brandon Espinosa was recognized as the USCAA National Coach of the Year. In addition, senior forward Spencer McElway was selected as a USCAA 1st Team All American, USCAA All Tournament Team and RRAC 2nd Team All Conference. Sophomore forward Trevoin Shaw was voted USCAA 1st Team All American, USCAA All Tournament Team and RRAC 1st Team All Conference. Sophomore guard Ja’mare Redus received USCAA Tournament MVP as well as USCAA 2nd Team All American Honors. Sophomore guard Torron Mingo Jr. earned the USCAA Academic All American award. Junior guard Caleb Thompson received the RRAC Champions of Character award.
During his first season with Paul Quinn, Espinosa led the Tigers to the most conference victories since 2012-2013. In addition, PQC had two players receive RRAC All Conference honors; Spencer McElway was 1st Team All RRAC and Mateo Escheik received 2nd Team All RRAC honors. McElway also joined the schools 1000-point club.
Espinosa also serves as the Director of EYBL and 17U Head Coach for Drive Nation which was founded by former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. This summer Drive Nation qualified for the 2021 Nike Peach Jam and currently has the most ESPN Top 100 ranked players in the country.
Espinosa has held coaching positions at Bossier Parish Community College, Ranger College and with the Dallas Mavericks NBA G-League affiliate, Texas Legends.
Espinosa is a native of Houston, Texas. He played collegiately for Dallas Christian College, where in 2010 they won the ACCA National Championship. Espinosa earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2011.
Paul Quinn did not compete in 2020-2021 due to Covid-19.
Camille Smith is in her first season at Paul Quinn College.
Smith was hired in early March and her most recent position was as an Assistant Coach for the WNBA Dallas Wings.
Prior to coaching, Smith played professionally for 10 seasons internationally and 12 seasons in the WNBA before retiring in 2019. Smith was drafted to the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2007 WNBA Draft as the 17th Overall pick. Amid the start of the 2008 WNBA season, Smith was selected in the Atlanta Dream dispersal draft before being traded to the Seattle Storm where Smith played and won a championship in 2010! In 2015 Smith was traded to the Connecticut Sun, then to the Phoenix Mercury in 2017, where she finished her career.
Internationally, Smith played on multiple teams in Israel (2015 Israel League Champion) and China. She also played in Turkey, Limassol, Cyrpus, Ragusa, Sicily (2016 Cup Champion), Lebanon (2017 Arab Cup Champion), Montpelier, France, and Venice, Italy (2018 Euro Cup runner-up).
As a former student-athlete at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Camille graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in interpersonal communications. A four-time All-ACC selection, she finished her college career with over 1,700 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists, and 250 steals. As a senior, Camille averaged 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game along with 99 steals to help the Tar Heels reach the Final Four. Camille is ranked among the top 20 all-time scorers at UNC and was named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press following her junior year. She averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds as a junior. As a sophomore, Camille averaged 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in the ACC tournament, including a 23-point game against Duke in the finals. In 2004, she was named ACC Rookie of the Year and was the only freshman selected as a finalist for Kodak All-American honor. Camille became the first Tar Heel to be named first-team All-ACC as a freshman.
In high school, Camille was named Associated Press NC Player of the Year and NC Miss Basketball (Class 3A; 2003). Camille was also awarded State Player of the Year by the Charlotte Observer and NC Gatorade Player of the Year (2002 and 2003). In 2001, Camille shared AP Player of the Year honors at Carver High School and helped her team finish with a 30-0 record and State Championship. Camille is a three-time All-State Selection and averaged 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during her senior year. She holds the record of 2,168 career points during her high school career, was a McDonald’s High School All-American, and played in the 2002 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. Camille was also named Piedmont Triad All-Conference, four years in a row, and Piedmont Triad Conference Player of the Year, three years in a row.
Camille Smith & her husband Jeremis Smith are happily married & live in the Historical Stop 6 Community.
Coach Patrick Gonzalez is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with emphasis in Criminal Justice from Texas Wesleyan University. He also has a M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Concordia University in Austin, Texas. He has coached volleyball for over thirteen years. He has coached on the high school, club, and collegiate level.
He currently coaches for 360 Volleyball Club in Arlington, Texas. Coach Gonzalez brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Paul Quinn College volleyball program. He served as the women’s assistant volleyball coach at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee for five seasons. While at Fisk University, Coach Gonzalez served as an Admissions Counselor and Director of International Student Services in the Office of Student Engagement. He has also worked at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and served as the Associate Director of Minority Outreach in the Office of Admissions. He most recently was selected into the Big XII Reach & Teach Volleyball Diversity Program.