DSU student Leah Brown scores big with U.S. Soccer internship

Delaware State University senior Leah Brown is turning her passion for sports into a promising career. The Atlanta native, a DSU Presidential Scholar and four-time DSU President’s List honoree, spent this summer as a corporate communications intern with the U.S. Soccer Federation, where she combined her classroom lessons with hands-on leadership.

“Being part of Delaware State University’s Sport Management department laid the foundation for my success at my internship,” Brown said. “I gained a strong understanding of sports business through my classes and hands-on experience by participating in the DSU Sport Management Organization. The experience I gained from working in our athletic department was crucial in helping me secure my internship.”

Her Atlanta roots added meaning to the opportunity. “It was a wonderful experience to contribute to the community that raised me,” she said. “My background gave me a unique perspective on the city’s culture, especially as U.S. Soccer transitions from Chicago to the South.”

Among her proudest accomplishments was leading the intern day of service, “Goals for Good.” The project featured a free soccer camp for 40 children ages 6 to 12 as well as a staff food drive that raised 1,818 donations for a local food pantry. “It was incredibly rewarding to take a leadership role in an initiative that made a direct impact on the community,” Brown said.

During the internship she also helped develop a comprehensive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup database designed to preserve the federation’s history and make information more accessible for fans, media, and stakeholders.

Her work with U.S. Soccer reshaped her career path. “I came into the summer wanting to work in college athletics, but now I’m looking to pursue a career in community engagement,” she said. “Ultimately, I want to become a vice president of community relations for a sports organization.”

Brown has already built a strong resume at DSU and beyond. She has served as a media relations student assistant for Hornet athletics, co-created the sports blog The Play-By-Play, and volunteered with the DREAM Foundation at major sporting events such as the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament and the Go Bowling Military Bowl. She was also accepted into the Fall 2025 cohort of the Black Sport Business Academy.

Her leadership extends across campus. She was crowned Miss Blue and White of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.’s Gamma Upsilon Chapter and serves as secretary of the DSU Sport Management Organization and corresponding secretary of Brothers in Power for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Brown’s accomplishments have earned national recognition as well. She won the TMCF x NBA Innovate the Future MVP Award and was honored with the Most Compelling Presenter Award and Esprit de Corps Award through the HBCU-Start at Miami Herbert program. In addition, she attended the Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders at UC San Diego, where she earned a full-tuition MBA scholarship and her team placed third in the case study competition.

Reflecting on her journey, Brown said her experiences at DSU and through national programs have shaped her outlook and fueled her ambitions. “All of the opportunities I have been blessed with shape the person I am today,” she said. “I am so grateful to be a part of DSU’s legacy of service-driven leaders. I know without my HBCU none of this would have been possible.”