Growing up in the heart of Cameroon, West Africa, Jude Fomeche distinctly recalls the hardships that his community faced, from limited access to education and healthcare to poverty and even political violence.
“I witnessed many struggles during my early years in Cameroon. Many children lack the resources necessary to go to school, let alone play sports,” shares Fomeche, a current student in TC’s Social-Organizational Psychology program, who’s professional interest lies at the intersection of executive leadership and sports recruitment.
Determined to pay it forward, Fomeche is making a true impact at Teachers College through his work in executive leadership. He aspires to ultimately bring the knowledge and experiences he gains in New York back to his home community in Cameroon, where he believes that, due to a lack of resources, there is tremendous “untapped athletic potential.”
Sports leadership recruiting was always the goal, but Fomeche also envisions one day driving non-profit sports programming for kids who grew up far less fortunate than he did. “I want to empower them to dream big. Sports is one of the best ways to learn invaluable life lessons of perseverance and resilience,” he says, noting that he plans to dedicate the academy to his late brother, Fedyst Fomeche.
Jude Fomeche and his family made the move together from Cameroon, West Africa to the United States many years ago. (Photos courtesy of Fomeche.)
Within his first year at TC, Fomeche managed to secure a summer internship with Russell Reynolds Associates, where he gained invaluable experience in the executive search space. “I worked as hard as I could that summer to ensure that I did not leave any doubt that I would be a valuable addition to their team. I want to help them [the firm] grow in whatever capacity I can.”
The firm extended a return offer to Fomeche for the following summer. He emphasizes that the skills he acquired, thanks to his coursework and pointers from TC NEXT, provided him with “valuable practice and feedback on his interview responses” and “bolstered his confidence” throughout his interview process. He recalls first connecting with the firm at the TC NEXT Employer Showcase in 2023, where he engaged with recruiters and quickly entered the internship pipeline.
And when Fomeche, a devoted FC Barcelona and Arizona Cardinals fan, is not watching the latest football game, you can find him spearheading initiatives on TC’s Student Senate, where he currently serves as Senate President. ”I bring much of what I'm learning in the classroom into my role. Serving in this position has taught me so much about myself and how to respond to moments of challenge, even moments of failure.”
Pictured: Jude Fomeche (center) and fellow TC Student Senate members. (Photo courtesy of Fomeche.)
He was integral in launching TC NEXT’s Alumni Mentorship Program, which pairs TC alumni with rising career students as they navigate their career journeys. “Jude's leadership and consistent meetings supported our pilot program of the Alumni Mentorship program,” adds Sabeen Sheikh, Director of TC NEXT. “Now, even as president, he supports the efforts of TC NEXT and has championed our work, proving to be a great student advocate and partner to us.”
Looking ahead, Fomeche plans to continue his work in the executive search industry, and has aspirations of future entrepreneurial pursuits. He draws inspiration from his roots, family, peers and Christian faith, which he shares have instilled a “servant leadership” mindset in him. “I have been both blessed and challenged in this life so far, and I believe that I have a responsibility to help others and give back as much as I can.”
For Fomeche, the possibilities are limitless. “ Teachers College has a unique sense of warmth and familial energy that I’ve felt from day one,” he concludes. “Above all else, you will always be encouraged to dream big.”