Alumni Where Are They Now? Branden Bufford, From the Turf to the Classroom, May 2011 Graduate

Branden Bufford, 2011 College of Arts and Sciences graduate, has set pretty high standards for himself and plans on achieving each and every goal. Bufford, who majored in physical education and minored in secondary education, told The Hilltop in a previous interview his post-Howard plans.

"I plan to go to the NFL. My back up plan is to attend graduate school at Wayne State University," he said in an April 2011 interview. His words proved to be extremely powerful.

After graduation, the Detroit Lions football team drafted Branden. Unfortunately, he was cut shortly after. However, for Branden, the set back put him in place to achieve another goal. He is currently in the process of obtaining his master of education in education leadership at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In addition to school he also works at Woodward Academy in their Kid's Zone after school program. Bufford ultimately plans to receive a doctorate degree and open his own school.

" I want to open an all boys school. I feel like if black men are educated, it will set a trend in our community," he said. Branden has big dreams, but all of his hard work during his undergraduate years will inevitably pay off.

As a former member of the Howard University football team, Branden knows the meaning of perseverance and intends to put his all into achieving his goals. He was also a member of the Michigan Club, as well as a spring 2009 initiate of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated, Alpha Tau Chapter. Since his matriculation, Bufford has been focused on his education, networking with other professionals and assisting an old friend with a company entitled Athletic Body Mechanics.

Often as undergraduate students, it is difficult to put into words or really sit and think about all that one may have learned while at Howard. It is not until the journey is over that individuals realize what they have learned overall. Branden says Howard taught him four important things, "your network determines your net worth, my worth as a black man, persistence, and professionalism".

For students still at Howard, especially to the graduating class of 2012, Branden's advice is to "have a plan, have a plan on how you're going to achieve that plan, and achieve your goal. When you achieve it, set another one. Get better everyday."