Jackson State University News February 23, 2021 15 JSU students form Campus Energy Network’s inaugural class of scholars Fifteen Jackson State University students have been selected for the Campus Energy Network (CEN), a new career exploration program that connects high-achieving college students with mentors from the energy sector. The announcement was made by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) and the National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC). The CEN program is also managed in collaboration with the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE). Through CEN, students will engage with energy professionals from the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation, Entergy, and others to learn about industry career opportunities and professional development essentials. These include networking, building a personal brand, navigating office etiquette, and more. Dr. Wilbur Walters, dean of JSU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said, “This partnership with Entergy and CEWD is a high-level and unique opportunity to ensure that our students are aware, confident and ready for exciting careers in the Energy sector.” Furthermore, Walters said, “The personnel at Entergy have been a model for academic and corporate partnerships through mass student internships, hirings, curriculum-development assistance and as subject-matter experts and instructors. We look forward to expanding the relationship through the expansion of course and program offerings for our students that speak directly to the energy and other related industries. Dr. Lashanda W. Jordan, executive director of JSU’s Career Services Center, said she was “very excited” to get the initial invitation for Jackson State University to be a part of CEN endeavor. “The Get Into Energy Mentoring Program is going to provide our students with an excellent opportunity to be exposed to careers in the energy field. The chance for our students to be mentored by energy professionals is one that is paramount to increasing diversity in the energy industry,” she said. “I am extremely pleased that these entities chose Jackson State to partner with. We are truly indebted to our relationship with Entergy, Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Center for Energy Workforce Development and the National Utilities Diversity Council. Here are the JSU students selected: § Qaylin Holliman, junior, computer science § Micheal Rosenthall, junior, civil engineering § Azalia Jones, senior, civil engineering § Jacquie James, senior, urban and regional planning § Malcolm Moore, sophomore, electrical engineering § Emerril Green, junior, computer science § Ameera El’Amin-White, senior, computer engineering/electrical engineering § Damian Patterson, senior, computer science § Emmanuel Edorodion, sophomore, computer engineering § Guy Johnson, senior, computer engineering § Tiffany Campbell, junior, civil engineering § Trevian Strong, senior, electrical engineering (power systems emphasis) § Emmanuel Azum, junior, electrical and computer engineering § Andre Cox, junior, computer engineering § Tre’ Vaughn Rodgers, sophomore, civil engineering Missy Henriksen, executive director of CEWD, said, “We are excited to work with these talented young men and women from Jackson State University through the College Energy Network.” In addition, she said, “The energy industry, which employs more than seven million men and women, is eager to expand the diversity of its workforce and that objective can best be realized by ensuring students who may not be familiar with the incredible career opportunities that exist in this field are exposed to the myriad of professional pathways in this essential industry.” Laurie Dowling, executive director of NUDC, concurred with those sentiments. “NUDC is honored to collaborate with CEWD, AABE, Jackson State, Arkansas Electric Cooperative, and Entergy on the Network,” Dowling said. “America’s minority-serving institutions like Jackson State University are treasure troves of talented women and men who will lead the energy industry into the future. Furthermore, she said, “Our hope is that the network participants will learn more about the energy industry, gain knowledge in onboarding for maximum success in their first careers and share their innovative insights to help transform their mentors’ perspectives on work as well.” The program is one of three that NUDC and CEWD are conducting virtually on college campuses this year with hopes of scaling the college connections in the future. Information on energy careers can be found at GetIntoEnergy.com<http://www.getintoenergy.com/>. About the Center for Energy Workforce Development The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a nonprofit consortium of electric, natural gas and nuclear utilities and businesses and their associations — American Gas Association, Distribution Contractors Association, Edison Electric Institute, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Nuclear Energy Institute – and labor, educators and workforce systems working together to ensure a skilled, diverse talent pipeline to meet future energy needs. About the National Utilities Diversity Council The National Utilities Diversity Council educates, develops best practices and guides efforts that will promote diversity in the utilities and communications industries in the areas of governance, employment, procurement, language access/customer service, and philanthropy. About American Association for Blacks in Energy The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is a national association of energy professionals dedicated to ensuring the input of African Americans and other minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policies regulations, R&D technologies, and environmental issues. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs – Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. 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