Optiv’s Annual $40,000 Scholarship for Black, African American Identifying STEM Students Now Open for Applicants

As part of its continued commitment to diversity within the cyber and information security fields, Optiv, the cyber advisory and solutions leader, is accepting applications until January 27, 2023 for its annual $40,000 scholarship for Black, African American identifying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students.

Awarded by Optiv’s Black Employee Network, the scholarship is paid out over four years. Previous recipients include AJ McCrory, a freshman studying computer science with an emphasis on software development at James Madison University, and Lauren Harris, a sophomore studying biology and computer science at Princeton University.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications to apply:

Be a graduating high school senior.

Verify acceptance into an eligible degree program in a STEM related field (including but not limited to computer science, electrical engineering, math, etc.).

Minimum cumulative high school GPA is 3.5 on 4.0 scale.

Must maintain a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 on 4.0 scale over the course of four years to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Be planning a career in cybersecurity/information security.

Complete the scholarship application, including a one-page essay and two letters of reference.

Identify as Black and/or African American (African, African American, Caribbean, for example) and be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and learn more about the scholarship program here.

“It’s our belief that our organization is at its best and our clients are better-served when a diverse range of voices has the opportunity to be heard, lead and make an impact,” said Heather Strbiak, Optiv’s chief human resources officer. “We want boardrooms and breakrooms across our industry to more closely represent the population at-large. By dedicating effort and resources to spur that outcome, we’re aiming to close the talent and diversity gap in cybersecurity.”

Optiv’s Black Employee Network (BEN) is entirely employee-driven and part of the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative.

“The most creative, thought-provoking and successful projects I’ve worked on have been the result of inclusive environments where everyone’s unique ideas were valued and represented,” said Tesfaye Williams, Optiv’s BEN community outreach leader. “This scholarship is our way of ensuring the cybersecurity industry continues to progress and be an attractive career path for people of color seeking to make a difference.”

Optiv honors and embraces the diverse perspectives, ideas, backgrounds and experiences of its people. The company’s approach to DEI is grounded in listening, learning and growing.

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African American Literature Professor Awarded 2022 Career Achievement in Academic Theatre Award

HOWARD UNIVERITY - Sandra Shannon, Ph.D., professor emerita of African American literature, has been selected to receive the 2022 Career Achievement in Academic Theatre Award from the Association of Theatre in Higher Education.

The Career Achievement in Academic Theatre Award honors individuals who are known for remarkable scholarly and creative contributions to the field, whose work has passed the test of time with its original thinking, and whose service has proven significant in shaping the field and future of theater and performance. Awardees are authentic role models to colleagues and students, nurture the careers of others, and are effective champions of diversity and equity in theater and education.

Shannon is widely acknowledged as a major scholar in the field of African American drama and the leading authority on playwright August Wilson. She is the author of the books “The Dramatic Vision of August Wilson” and “August Wilson’s Fences: A Reference Guide,” has written numerous essays and chapters on Wilson, and served as editor of “Modern American Drama: Playwriting in the 1980s” and “August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle.” She is currently a fellow and dean elect of the College of Fellows of American Theater, scholar-in-residence at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s August Wilson African American Cultural Center, and president of the August Wilson Society.

“Truth be told, I am still processing the profound impact of having been named the recipient of ATHE’s prestigious 2022 Career Achievement Award,” expressed Shannon. “My emotions have ranged from excitement to a mixture of honor and humility. I am extremely honored that my scholarship, teaching and service in theater education are being recognized as exemplary by my peers from around the United States and beyond. I am equally honored to receive affirmation at this point in my career that the passion, time and energy that I have – for decades – invested in my work have made a noticeably lasting difference. I am humbled that this award puts me in the company of giants whose works continue to inform mine and shape the field.”

Shannon’s relatively new title as professor emerita of African American literature in the Department of English has allowed her to expand her career into areas that were not practical or possible before. While Shannon is no longer in the classroom, she continues to selectively agree to publish, lecture, consult, contribute essays and offer post-show discussions. She also remains engaged in her current role as president of the August Wilson Society; this entails, among many other AWS-sponsored events, an annual August Wilson’s Ground Lecture Series and a biennial colloquium.

[SOURCE: THE DIG]