When we create pathways for others, we strengthen the next generation.

- COCO’s Trust Motto 

When Colishia Dunbar, MBA, graduated in May of 2020 with her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, she was stepping into a world already filled with challenges.  

The COVID-19 pandemic had frozen many engineering job openings, and Dunbar, like so many others, found herself in a state of uncertainty. But if there is one constant in her story, it is resiliency.  

“I thought for sure I had a job with a company I was interning at,” Dunbar recalls. “So I went back to networking, went to career fairs, followed up and eventually landed my first engineering role.” 

Dunbar’s determination reflects the spirit that has fueled her success in both engineering and business. Today, she is widely recognized for her leadership, community impact and unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation.  

In 2024, Dunbar was honored as the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing’s Outstanding Young Alumni – an award she had visualized receiving months earlier.  

“I believe in speaking things into existence,” she says. “When I received that email, it felt surreal, but it also showed me that hard work and giving back really do get noticed.” 

Dunbar’s path to engineering was anything but traditional. She first earned a two-year degree in computer-aided drafting and design, laying the groundwork for her technical career before pursuing her four-year degree.

Along the way, she encountered a stark reality which showed that not many engineers looked like her. As a Black woman, she also saw the underrepresentation and witnessed how engineers were treated differently based on their credentials. Without a four-year degree, many doors remained closed. That realization did not discourage her but instead pushed her to pursue mechanical engineering, turning adversity into ambition. 

“Not seeing many African American women, or women at all in engineering, plus being denied an entry-level interview after seven years at a company because I didn’t have a bachelor’s degree motivated me,” Dunbar says.  

Even with a degree, breaking into a male-dominated field brought its own challenges. Dunbar points out that women entering engineering often expect mentorship and support from other women, only to find the opposite. “Sometimes it’s competitive, sometimes it’s isolating,” she explains. “But you have to stay true to yourself, know your worth, and keep pushing forward.” 

Her experiences are why she now prioritizes mentorship. Growing up in Kingstree, South Carolina, a town of just 3,000 people, Dunbar admits she did not even know what engineering was until much later in life.  

“If I had known then what I know now, my journey may have looked different,” Dunbar says. “That’s why I make mentorship and sponsorship such a priority: I want to be that resource for others that I didn’t have.” 

Through her involvement with the University of South Carolina, she regularly mentors engineering students and first-generation college students, encouraging them to pursue internships, attend career fairs, and consider rotational programs that prepare them for leadership roles. 

Perhaps her most defining initiative is her LLC, COCO’s Trust, which stands for Challenging Obstacles, Creating Opportunities. The name, inspired by her nickname, “Coco,” reflects her belief that challenges do not define people; they create opportunities for growth.  

Although the idea was born on a whiteboard more than 15 years ago, it is now beginning to take shape as an organization dedicated to empowering students through mentorship, financial literacy education, career exploration, and leadership development. Dunbar envisions COCO’s Trust partnering with schools, universities, and even major companies to provide resources and opportunities for underserved communities. 

“In five years, I hope everyone will know what COCO’s Trust is,” she says. “The goal is to be able to give back to underserved communities by providing laptops, essential tools and equipment, hosting inspiring speakers, and show students that they don’t have to be defined by their circumstances.” 

Her ambition is clear: “I want to be the next Darla Moore,” she added, referencing the influential South Carolina businesswoman and philanthropist who transformed her hometown of Lake City, South Carolina, just a 20-minute drive from Kingstree. 

Despite her growing impact in the professional world, Dunbar remains closely connected to the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.  

“The people I met at USC truly cared about my future and my education. Staying connected allowed me to give back to the community that set me on this path,” she says. 

From her early struggles navigating the workforce to her achievements in engineering and nonprofit leadership, Dunbar has consistently turned obstacles into opportunities not just for herself, but for everyone who follows in her footsteps.  

Her advice to students today is simple but powerful: “You’re at the table for a reason. Speak up, stay true to yourself and take every opportunity to learn. And most importantly, make sure you give back.”