When Tali Simpkins ’28 was considering colleges, he wanted to go to the school that would allow him to make the biggest impact.

“I really wanted something different for myself,” he says. “And when I toured Towson University, it just felt like home. It felt like I could fit right in and make an impact on campus and improve it and make it better.”

Simpkins, a native of Philadelphia, comes from a single-parent household and wanted to find a way to ease the financial burden of college on his mom, Tanya. In two years at TU, he’s done just that: the junior computer science major and member of Towson University's Honors College has earned 17 scholarships and awards totaling more than $128,000 toward his education.

He calls his approach a “numbers game.” Sometimes, he applies for 100 scholarships in a month—and occasionally eclipses that number in a week.

“The scholarship grind is tough,” Simpkins says. “I like to use it as a lesson for others that if you put in the work, you will get rewarded. I’m putting in as much work as possible to get my name out there. I know my situation, and I really want to stay here and finish my education.

“I want to take the burden off my mom…that’s something I’m really passionate about.”

Towson University Junior Tali Simpkins during his internship at the University of Tennessee
Towson University Junior Tali Simpkins poses at the NRF Foundation's New York Student Program

Tali’s internship tally

Simpkins has applied the same work ethic to finding internships that align with his passion for computer science. His internship experience while at TU includes:

As with scholarships, Simpkins says he’s applied for hundreds of internships. With each internship, he has found that what he’s learned at TU has helped him navigate the learning curve.

“My courses (at TU) have helped me on the job, because they helped me get the basics of coding down,” Simpkins says. 

Junior Tali Simpkins winning one of his many scholarships during his time at TU.

A little help from OCFA

While Simpkins is self-motivated, he’s also used the resources at TU to strengthen his scholarship applications. That’s why he reached out to Mary Devadas and the team at the Office of Competitive Fellowships and Awards (OCFA). Devadas, who usually works on identifying students to nominate for awards, didn’t have to find Simpkins, because he sought her out first.

“Towson University students never cease to amaze me and all of us in at OCFA,” Devadas says. “There is tremendous talent within our student community, and Tali is one of our exceptional high achievers.”

Simpkins gives Devadas and the OCFA staff a lot of credit for significantly boosting his success.

I feel like TU has really figured out different unique ways to keep pushing me, so I not only succeed academically, but also socially.

Tali Simpkins

“I feel like my success rate has gone up since I’ve connected with Dr. Devadas,” he says. “I always say it takes a village, so it's not just me. I work hard, but I’ve got really good people around me after getting connected with her and OCFA.”

The partnership has grown so much that Simpkins now serves as a student ambassador for OCFA. He even has his own OCFA-sponsored event. At “Tally with Tali,” which took place on Sept. 21, Simpkins gave fellow students advice on the scholarship process.

After working with Simpkins over the past year and seeing his continued success, Devadas wanted to provide a forum that not only helps other students but also provides a way for Simpkins to grow his voice.

“Tali was, in many ways, born to create pathways,” Devadas says. “When opportunities do not exist, he finds ways to create them—not only for himself, but also for others. I strongly believe his personal story and his willingness to speak honestly about his journey will inspire students who may not yet see themselves as candidates for national and international opportunities.”

Junior Tali Simpkins posing at the TU Sign on Cross Campus

Giving back

While he’s finding ways to influence others on campus, he’s also finding ways to spark change back home.

At the age of 18, Simpkins started Growing Fortunes, a nonprofit in Philadelphia aimed at ending generational curses by teaching youth practical life skills.

He was inspired to start it after working at Stenton Family Manor, a large, comprehensive city-supported emergency housing and shelter facility dedicated to serving families and children experiencing homelessness.

There, he watched smart children struggle because they lacked essential knowledge. So he created a program in which he teaches skills like building credit, investing and filing taxes.

Thanks to the work of Growing Fortunes, Simpkins was awarded the Philadelphia Youth Entrepreneurship Award last year for his work.

“Coming to college, I would always describe myself as a more laid-back person,” Simpkins says. “But being at TU has pushed me forward into leadership roles both on campus and back home. TU has helped me use my voice more.

“I feel like TU has really figured out different unique ways to keep pushing me, so I not only succeed academically, but also socially.”