Courtesy of Winston-Salem State University
NASCAR has expanded their Campus Lab Program to Winston-Salem State University, a historically Black institution in North Carolina. The partnership makes WSSU the first institution in North Carolina and the first public university in the country to join the NASCAR initiative.
The Campus Lab Program will enhance WSSU’s current bachelor’s degree program in motorsport management. Currently, WSSU is the only public institution in North Carolina and the only HBCU to offer this degree.
The new initiative, funded by a $100,000 grant from NASCAR, will admit up to 15 sophomore or junior students, who will each receive a $3,500 scholarship. Participating students will compete in a case study competition, learn about careers in the motorsport industry, collaborate with a mentor from NASCAR’s Black employee resource group, and receive professional networking and career advice. The case study competition winners will receive an additional $1,500 prize and one student will be admitted to NASCAR’s Diversity Internship Program.
Clay Harshaw, associate professor and coordinator of the motorsports management program, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for all of our students here at WSSU to engage with NASCAR and develop their thinking skills, develop their management skills, and get to know professionals not only in the motorsport industry but with the corporate partners that are with NASCAR.”