In an effort to honor African-American alumni from each of the nine schools affiliated with the America East, the conference is putting together a nine-part video series featuring one prominent African-American alumni from each school. This video series highlights the great history and success that African-American graduates from America East schools have had and also displays the variety of different jobs and backgrounds that these alumni have made an impact on after graduation.

One of the most important factors to the success of any child going through school is the quality of teaching he or she receives. For University at Albany graduate Professor William Thomas, the opportunity to have an impact on the lives of numerous kids through teaching has proven to be the perfect occupation. Thomas, who graduated from the University at Albany in 1997, teaches at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School and saw his commitment to bettering the lives of high school students fully rewarded when he was named Maryland's 2009 Teacher of the Year.

While this honor presented Thomas with the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama, the real highlight was being able to show his students that with a strong work ethic and the proper approach, anything is truly possible. While seeing Thomas in photos with President Obama might not convince each and every one of his students to enter the teaching profession, the hope is that at least a few students will embrace the challenge of serving as a mentor to high school kids down the road.

As the representative of the University at Albany for Black History Month, Thomas serves as the ideal mentor for young African-Americans who may be considering entering the teaching profession.