Grambling State University News June 22, 2022 AT&T Foundation Awards $25,000 Grant to Grambling University Foundation to benefit STEM majors AT&T has continued its investment in Grambling State University (GSU) with a $25,000 contribution to the Grambling University Foundation Inc., for scholarships in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The funds will be awarded to 25 students for one year, with priority consideration given to merit students with a financial need. The minimum grade point average to qualify as an AT&T scholar and maintain a scholarship is 3.0. Scholars will be selected based on their application, essay, faculty recommendation, involvement in STEM-related extracurricular activities, and unmet financial need. "Donations like this that AT&T has made toward STEM scholarships, reducing the financial burdens some of our students would have to face and making it affordable to attend Grambling - that kind of gift tells our students that success is imminent," said Melanie E. Jones, Vice President for Advancement, Research, and Economic Development at GSU. "We are proud of our partnership with AT&T because they realize that we are a strong brand with high-quality academic programs and we're producing graduates who are becoming true game-changers in their fields and careers." According to The 74, a nonprofit news website focusing on education issues in the United States, STEM occupations are projected to increase twice as fast as all other jobs through 2029, and while the number of college graduates with degrees in STEM-related fields is seeing comparable growth, inequitable access to education in these fields is creating barriers to entering the workforce for people of color and women. A close look at the data on who works in STEM reveals that Black and Hispanic professionals are underrepresented compared with their white and Asian peers, and women fill only a quarter of STEM jobs, largely due to labor shortage issues. "AT&T is proud to support Grambling State University's STEM program by providing these funds to support student scholarships in these high-demand fields," said David Aubrey, Assistant Vice President and State Director of External Affairs at AT&T. "Since 2014, AT&T and its Foundation have provided more than $250,000 to GSU for support of its academic and athletic programs." Students interested in applying for the scholarships should contact the Office of Financial Aid. About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities, and improving lives. We have a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs. Our AT&T Aspire initiative uses innovation in education to drive student success in school and beyond. With a financial commitment of $550 million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technoogy, relationships, and social innovation to help all students make their biggest dreams a reality. Sandra M. Phoenix, Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance 678-210-5801 ext. 101 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Seek justice, honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/