WIT Connect 2018 to feature $115,000 in Scholarship Awards
ATLANTA (PRWEB) June 20, 2018 -- For over 25 years, Women in Technology (WIT) has provided educational programming to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) and improve opportunities for women in the industry.
WIT Connect, WIT’s annual event, brings together more than 700 of Atlanta’s top technology leaders for a night of networking and fundraising.This year’s event is presented by GE Digital and will feature the special presentation of $115,000 in scholarship funds to 12 individuals – members of WIT Girls, WIT Campus and STEAM professionals. These exemplary women have competitive academic standing, an interest in STEAM, have been active participants in WIT Girls or WIT Campus, and demonstrate leadership in STEAM-related activities and careers.
The following scholarships will be presented during the event:
WIT Girls First Data Scholarship for $5,000: Khemisha Brown
Khemisha is a graduate of North Cobb High School where she was member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, Marching Band, and Heart for Hooves. She will continue to pursue her passion for STEAM by studying mathematics and physics at the University of Georgia. In the future, she plans to travel overseas to teach mathematics to students who lack access to education, then begin her working career as an analyst.
“Being involved with WIT Girls has allowed me to explore many different jobs and pathways in STEAM and has inspired me by continually showing amazing examples of the women who work everyday to help make a difference in the world.”
WIT Girls HUNTER Technical Scholarship for $2,500 and Splunk for $2,500: Mia Stroud
Mia is a graduate of Dekalb Early College Academy where she was a member of the National Cyber Warrior Academy, Coding Club, Japan Society and the Social Justice Club. She will study computer science and Chinese at Georgia State University. In the future, she plans to work as an interpreter for Chinese and Russian affairs and aid in international security development.
“WIT Girls has allowed me the opportunity to witness women excelling in my future field, demonstrating how I too can achieve success. In addition to helping me discover my true passion for cybersecurity, WIT Girls also helped me overcome my shyness and anxiety allowing me to put myself out in the world to demonstrate my potential and drive.”
WIT Girls NCR Foundation Scholarship for $20,000: Samaria Driver
Samaria is a graduate of Riverwood International Charter School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. She will continue to pursue her passion for STEAM by studying computer science and cybersecurity. In the future, she plans to start her own tech firm where she will offer outreach initiatives that work in conjunction with programs like Girls Who Code and Women In Tech, to help girls and women navigate and obtain success in the tech industry.
“WIT Girls has allowed me to meet several female leaders in the tech industry who have helped guide me in both my professional and educational career.”
WIT Campus State Farm Scholarship for $5,000: Alexis Orivri
Alexis is a computer science major and business minor at Clayton State University. She is a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success and was named a Nordson BUILDS Scholar in 2017. In the future, Alexis plans to become a software engineer or financial analyst.
“Being a part of WIT Campus has given me a sense of hope that lets me know that no matter how tough it may seem to achieve my goals - I am not alone in the struggle. Learning about current female STEAM leaders who have overcome similar trials, has assured me that I can be who I want to be in due time.”
WIT Campus Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship for $5,000: Yana Nakhtigal
Yana is a business major with a concentration in marketing and computer information systems at Georgia State University. She is the Vice President of the WIT Campus club and is a marketing intern at NCR. She has participated in several case study competitions including the AMA Case Competition and CIBER International Business Case Competition where she ranked third place. In the future, Yana plans to pursue a career in marketing analytics where she can work in machine learning and big data, while also creating a leadership program for women in the workplace.
“Serving on the WIT Campus Executive Board helped me to get a better understanding of the challenges that the majority of young females face in STEM. It inspired me to build new connections and helped me to become more prepared for my future career. I also greatly enjoyed helping my peers reach their goals.”
WIT Campus Fiserv Scholarship for $5,000: Angel VanEllison
Angel is an information technology major with a specialization in web and mobile foundations at Georgia Southern University. She serves as the Vice President of Programs for the WIT Campus Club and is involved in the Association of Information Technology Professionals, Aurora Game Development Club, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. In the future, Angel plans to work as a UX/UI designer, web developer, 3D/2D animator, or graphic designer.
“My involvement in WIT Campus has prepared me for my professional career by making me feel more confident as a leader. By attending WIT workshops and events, I have been able to network, gain skills, and learn more about amazing companies in Atlanta. WIT's volunteers have forever impacted my life. The advice and support that I have received from them will help me succeed in the future.”
Information about Fiserv career opportunities is available at: http://careers.fiserv.com.
WIT Campus Edge Solutions Scholarship for $5,000: Alajia Colon
Alajia is an information technology major with a minor in graphic communications at Georgia Southern University. She is the Vice President of Membership for the WIT Campus Club and is also involved in the Student Government Association, the Association for Information Technology Professionals, and is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. In the future, she plans to start her own company specializing in graphic design and web development.
“Being involved in WIT Campus has allowed me to make friends with the people in my classes and has given me a lot of professional advice that I implement everyday and pass along to my friends and those younger than me.”
WIT Campus T-Mobile Scholarship for $5,000: Chidera Obinali
Chidera is an information technology major with a specialization in web and mobile technologies and a minor in communication studies at Georgia Southern University. She serves as the public relations officer for the Association of IT Professionals and previously worked as a software quality assurance intern for the Georgia Lottery Corporation. In the future, she plans to work as front-end UI developer.
“WIT Campus has inspired me to invest more in myself. I have learned to accept my failures and celebrate successes. This organization motivated me to become more active in my personal and career development. Georgia Southern’s WIT Campus has regularly supported and encouraged me to do more than what was expected. The events and programs have opened doors to several networking opportunities, career advice, and friendships. In moments where things did not go the right way, fellow WIT girls were quick to spin it into something positive. As someone whose academic career is financially supported through loans and scholarships, it was truly a blessing to be able to attend major networking events that connected me to influential people in my field. Representation matters for upcoming students and women as it visually supports their dreams and aspirations. Women in Technology is an organization that absolutely represents.”
WIT Campus AgileThought Scholarship for $2,500 and Anthem for $2,500: Thien Vo
Thien is a computer information systems and managerial science major with a concentration in big data & analytics at Georgia State University. She is the President of the WIT Campus Club and has completed internships with Cox Automotive, the Center for Health IT at Georgia State, and the Interactive College of Technology. In the future, Thien hopes to become a IT Business Analyst at Eli Lilly.
“By being president of my organization, I was given the opportunity to expose young women to the tech industry and life after college. This role allowed me to make an impact in my community and made me feel that I can make a change in the gender inequality that exists today.”
WIT Campus GE Power Scholarship for $2,500 and TravelPort for $2,500: Norah Jean-Charles
Norah is a computer science major at Kennesaw State University. She is a member of the WIT Campus club and the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. Norah is a Girls Who Code Alumni and has worked with the Riverdale Branch Library to teach coding classes to teens where she has inspired young girls to pursue their interests in coding. In the future, she plans to become a software developer or engineer.
“It feels very empowering to encourage female participation in STEM. Men dominate STEM fields, so it’s important to know and be able to interact with women who can guide and encourage you to conquer obstacles. Being involved with WIT Campus has helped me better refine how I represent myself to be a more unique, competitive, and professional candidate for internships and future jobs.”
Emory University Goizueta Business School MBA for Executives Program Scholarship – $25,000: Cassidy Jones
Cassidy is President of DataComm Electronics. Prior to this role, she served as the company’s Director of Operations and Vice President of Sales. Her career began in education where she taught social studies in Pasco County, Florida and later Cobb County, Georgia. Cassidy earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University before obtaining a management certificate from HBX.
Emory University Goizueta Business School MBA for Executives Program Scholarship – $25,000: LaDonna Lewis
LaDonna is an Enterprise Solutions Consultant at Ceridian where she helps drive new client acquisition and growth. With over 18 years in HR Tech, she has served as a global product leader, sales leader and has worked in product marketing. She obtained her bachelor's in music from Agnes Scott College and is very involved with her community supporting youth sports and performing arts.
About First Data
First Data (NYSE: FDC) is a global leader in commerce-enabling technology and solutions, serving approximately six million business locations and 4,000 financial institutions in more than 100 countries around the world. The company’s 22,000 owner-associates are dedicated to helping companies, from start-ups to the world’s largest corporations, conduct commerce every day by securing and processing more than 3,000 transactions per second and $2.4 trillion per year.
About HUNTER Technical
Founded by engineering graduates of Georgia Institute of Technology 20 years ago, HUNTER is a leading provider of IT staffing and project solution services. HUNTER was founded on the premise that an IT staffing company should be run by technology-savvy employees who truly understand their clients’ staffing needs. Candidates are thoroughly qualified through pre-screening, interviewing, technical testing, reference checks, and credential verification. The company has blossomed from the original dreams of its Georgia Tech founders, growing from a regional company into a national resource for recruiting and staffing IT talent, with offices in Atlanta, Denver, and Dallas. For more information about HUNTER Technical, please visit http://www.htrjobs.com.
About Splunk
Splunk Inc. turns machine data into answers. Organizations use market-leading Splunk solutions with machine learning to solve their toughest IT, Internet of Things and security challenges. Join millions of passionate users and discover your “aha” moment with Splunk today: http://www.splunk.com.
Splunk encourages its partners, users, employees and fellow global citizens to inspire, participate in and lead social change. Learn more about the Splunk Pledge and how your favorite cause can make a big difference with big data.
About NCR
NCR Corporation is a leader in omni-channel solutions, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables nearly 700 million transactions daily across financial, retail, hospitality, travel, telecom and technology industries. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier. NCR is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with about 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. NCR encourages investors to visit its website which is updated regularly with financial and other important information about NCR. For more information, visit http://www.ncr.com.
About the NCR Foundation
The NCR Foundation was established in 1953 to help support community needs consistent with its mission. As NCR Corporation has evolved into a leader in omni-channel solutions, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences, the NCR Foundation has evolved its grant strategy consistent with its focus on helping people help themselves. Our mission, however, remains the same: to support NCR’s interest in building stronger communities by making grants to non-profit partners that are aligned with the corporation’s self-service philosophy, including global grants through U.S.-based international non-profit agencies in the focus areas of education, disability issues and health support programs.
About State Farm
The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and nearly 70,000 employees serve more than 84 million policies and accounts – more than 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies, and more than 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 33 on the 2017 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit https://www.statefarm.com/.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 15 model lines ranging from the sporty CLA-Class four-door coupe to the flagship S-Class and the Mercedes-AMG GT R.
MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart products in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at http://www.mbusa.com, http://www.mbsprinterusa.com and http://www.smartusa.com.Accredited journalists can visit our media site at http://www.media.mbusa.com. Follow us on Twitter @MBUSAnews
About Fiserv
Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) enables clients worldwide to create and deliver financial services experiences in step with the way people live and work today. For more than 30 years, Fiserv has been a trusted leader in financial services technology, helping clients achieve best-in-class results by driving quality and innovation in payments, processing services, risk and compliance, customer and channel management, and insights and optimization. Fiserv is a member of the FORTUNE® 500 and has been named among the FORTUNE Magazine World's Most Admired Companies® for five consecutive years, recognized for strength of business model and innovation leadership. For more information, visit fiserv.com.
About Edge Solutions
Edge Solutions simplifies information technology by providing creative solutions in a multi-cloud world. By combining deep engineering expertise for next generation technologies, with best-in-class consulting services, we help enterprises drive a cloud-adoption strategy to achieve business outcomes. For more information about Edge Solutions, visit us online or give us a call at 888.861.8884 today.
About T-Mobile US, Inc.
As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. Our advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences to 74.0 million customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. T-Mobile is also the most diverse wireless carrier with more than 62% of our employees representing minorities. Currently, T-Mobile has six diversity and inclusion networks and more than 50 local chapters and more than 17,100 employees actively participating in one or more of the networks. Based in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
About AgileThought
AgileThought is a national provider of custom enterprise software solutions and consulting with specializations in enterprise application development, digital and agile transformation and training, DevOps consulting and training, collaboration, SharePoint, data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cloud solutions, and user interface and experience design. Formed in 2004, the company has been noted as one of the country's Best Companies to Work For by Fortune magazine. It is currently listed on the Inc. 5000 list for the tenth consecutive year and was also listed as one of the Best Company Cultures by Entrepreneur magazine. It serves Fortune 1000 clients nationwide from offices in Tampa, Atlanta, and Orlando. For more information, visit agilethought.com or call 1-877-514-9180.
About Anthem, Inc.
Anthem is working to transform health care with trusted and caring solutions. Our health plan companies deliver quality products and services that give their members access to the care they need. With over 74 million people served by its affiliated companies, including nearly 40 million within its family of health plans, Anthem is one of the nation’s leading health benefits companies. For more information about Anthem’s family of companies, please visit http://www.antheminc.com/companies.
About GE Power
GE Power is a world leader in power generation with deep domain expertise to help Customers deliver electricity from a wide spectrum of fuel sources. We are transforming the electricity industry with the digital power plant, the world’s largest and most efficient gas turbine, full balance of plant, upgrade and service solutions as well as our data-leveraging software. Our innovative technologies and digital offerings help make power more affordable, reliable, accessible and sustainable. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.ge.com/power. Follow GE Power on Twitter @GE_Power and on LinkedIn at GE Power.
About Travelport
Travelport (NYSE: TVPT) is the technology company which makes the experience of buying and managing travel continually better. It operates a travel commerce platform providing distribution, technology, payment and other solutions for the global travel and tourism industry. The company facilitates travel commerce by connecting the world’s leading travel providers with online and offline travel buyers in a proprietary business-to-business (B2B) travel marketplace.
Travelport has a leadership position in airline merchandising, hotel content and distribution, car rental, mobile commerce and B2B payment solutions. The company also provides critical IT services to airlines, such as shopping, ticketing, departure control and other solutions. With net revenue of over $2.4 billion in 2017, Travelport is headquartered in Langley, UK, has approximately 4,000 staff and is represented in 180 countries and territories.
About Emory University’s Goizueta Business School
Since 1919, Emory University has been a leading research university. That kind of longevity and significance does not come without a culture built around success and service. Emory University’s Goizueta Business School offers an intimate learning environment paired with the academic prestige of a major research institution. Goizueta provides top-ranked business education for today’s and tomorrow’s leaders, with its Full-time MBA programs (One Year and Two Year) and Working Professionals MBA programs (Executive and Evening), as well as its highly regarded undergraduate BBA program, Doctoral Program, and Executive Education courses. Together, the Goizueta community strives to address the world’s most pressing business problems. The school is named for the late Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. For more information, visit goizueta.emory.edu or follow us on Twitter (@emorygoizueta).
Shauntel Hall, Women In Technology, https://www.mywit.org/, +1 (470) 823-3228, [email protected]
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