Courtesy of Jackson State University
Jackson State University, an HBCU in Jackson, Mississippi is the recipient of $1 million from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to establish a scholarship fund for high-achieving students who have financial need (with preference given to students pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines) and an endowment fund for the purpose of providing such scholarships in perpetuity.
“This transformative gift is not just a financial contribution; it is an investment in the future leaders of our world, individuals who will undoubtedly shape the landscape of progress and discovery,” said Jackson State President Marcus L. Thompson, Ph.D. “By providing crucial financial support to talented students, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is empowering them to pursue their academic aspirations and unlock their fullest potential. This fund will also help them navigate economic barriers on their path to success.”
According to their website, the Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial needs. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $282 million in scholarships to more than 3,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling, and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $133 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.
“Our nation’s HBCUs are doing incredible work to serve underrepresented students both during college and also set them up for long-term success,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Cooke Foundation. “As one of the largest HBCUs in the country, Jackson State University is empowering young people every year to earn their degrees and become leaders in their fields.”
Jacqueline Jackson, Ph.D., serves as the interim department chair in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science. She shared that the funds will be used to establish the Jack Kent Cooke CSET Scholars Program, which will provide selected HBCU STEM students with financial and professional support.
“The scholarship funds can be used toward tuition, fees, room, board, and textbook expenses. Scholarship amounts will vary based upon a student’s overall financial aid profile. In addition, we will provide students with opportunities to grow their professional portfolio as they prepare to enter the workforce,” Jackson explained.
According to JSU’s Division of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness, the College of Science Engineering and Technology at the HBCU is the largest college by enrollment with more than 1,280 undergraduates in Fall 2023.
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education released an article in February 2023 stating that though African Americans are making progress in STEM Fields, a large racial gap remains.
In 2021, Blacks were about 12% of the adult population in the United States but made up only 9% of the STEM workforce. In 2011, Blacks were 7% of all STEM workers. About 18% of all Black workers were employed in STEM fields compared to 25% of all White workers and 39% of Asian workers.