Derek Thompson, ’22, ’23G, made his time at the University of New Hampshire count, inside and outside the classroom. Not only did he excel studying recreation management and policy, but he was a standout on the UNH football team, playing cornerback and safety.
While Thompson made an impact in the classroom and on the field, it was his work off campus that earned him recognition as a Black Pioneer of UNH. Thompson was recognized for his commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion at the UNH Diversity Hall of Fame Awards Dinner on Friday, September 27.
Thompson was the first African American undergraduate at UNH to join Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, a historically African American fraternity. Thompson was part of the fraternity’s Cambridge, Massachusetts chapter.
"My father's a fraternity member, and I wanted to be a legacy and follow in his footsteps,” Thompson says. “It’s a great opportunity to make an impact on the lives of others.”
While in the fraternity, Thompson participated in community service initiatives in the Boston and Cambridge areas, including backpack and coat drives and mentoring youth. He also played a role in expanding the fraternity, helping to reinstate a chapter at Dartmouth College.
"I took a lot of pride in that," he says, adding that he hopes to one day help launch a chapter at UNH.
Life as a UNH Student Athlete
Between school, football, and community service, Thompson admits it was a difficult juggling act at first.
"I'm not going to lie, that first semester, well really the whole first year, was a big adjustment, but the coaching staff did a great job in setting specific study hall hours for you," Thompson says.
Thompson’s favorite football memory was playing a key role on the team during the 2022 season, when they won back the musket from the University of Maine and earned a share of the Coastal Athletic Association title.
In the classroom, Thompson found his fit with the recreation management and policy program.
“I found the entire program to be very supportive. I could reach out to my professors anytime, and they would help me with what I needed,” Thompson says.
Thompson gained hands-on experience through an internship with the Seacoast United Soccer Club. His role included managing Seacoast United’s social media, handling ticket sales, and learning the ins and outs of running a recreational facility.
The experience gave him a deeper understanding of the operational side of recreation management. It also sparked an interest in public administration and nonprofits, which led Thompson to enroll in the accelerated master’s program for public administration.
Thompson completed his master’s in about a year while juggling his coursework and football.
“UNH taught me a lot about time management and setting priorities, which has transferred into my career,” Thompson says. “I’m able to have a lot on my plate and then structure it in a certain way where I can get everything done before I hit a deadline.”
From College to Career
After graduating, Thompson returned home to Delaware and took a chance on an opportunity to work as an insurance agent at Globe Life, where he helped families set up estate plans. He then used that experience to land a position as a quality assurance analyst at J.P. Morgan Chase, where he works with a team to help prevent financial crimes like money laundering.
Thompson says the leadership skills he learned from his recreation management and policy studies combined with his master’s experience have transferred well into the insurance and finance industries. Additionally, his ability to work well on a team—a trait developed during his years on the football field—has also been crucial to his success in his new role.
Thompson urges graduating students to be persistent in their job searches.
“Your skills can transfer to multiple careers,” Thompson says. “Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith because sometimes unexpected opportunities can lead to something great.”
