Jackson State University, in collaboration with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc.’s, Central Mississippi Chapter, has been awarded a $75,000 grant for its Women RISE proposal which exposes women and other underrepresented minorities to STEM. The grant is funded through Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s partnership with Apple and will help JSU host a one-day symposium on Sept. 12, 2019, at Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, Mississippi.
“I am excited about this opportunity and its efforts to increase minority women in STEM,” said Dr. Barbara Howard, principal investigator of the grant. “The grant is powered by Apple and an Apple representative will be at the symposium presenting a session on Apple Swift Coding. STEM coaches will also speak about their career areas.”
The symposium is open to all black female STEM faculty and STEM education faculty at each of the five HBCU’s in Mississippi – Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Tougaloo College, and Rust College).
Howard, also an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, has been working in the area of STEM recruitment and retention for underrepresented students since 2002.
“This grant allows me to work with more professions in the area and with organizations such as the National Coalition for 100 Black Women- Central Mississippi Chapter which has like goals,” she said. “We hope that all female STEM faculty and students at the five historically black institutions in Mississippi will be a part of the Women RISE Symposium that will be brought by this grant.”
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Central Mississippi Chapter, advocates on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership, development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment.
“This advocacy requires our diligence in keeping abreast of issues which impacts the achievement of this mission,” said Rita Wray, grant co-principal investigator, and president, NCBW Central Mississippi Chapter. “One of the current issues on the table is our commitment to the education of women and girls in STEM.”
The symposium is free to all, and faculty are encouraged to bring a student with them. The link for registration is: