Wiley senior Angelique Cooper, who is the College’s 2019-2020 Student Government Association President, has been named a 2019 White House HBCU Competitiveness Scholar. Miss Cooper is one of 44 Scholars from 34 historically black colleges and universities selected by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to take part in its highest student recognition.
Candidates for the program were endorsed and nominated by their school’s president based on their academic achievements, leadership skills, entrepreneurial ethos, and civic engagement. Scholars will serve for one academic year.
“We are very proud of Miss Cooper’s accomplishments as a scholar, servant leader, and emerging entrepreneur,“ said Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr., President of Wiley College. “ Her present achievements offer a telling glimpse of her future contributions to the community and the world as an alumna of both Wiley College and the White House HBCUs Competiveness Scholars program.”
Comprised of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, Competitiveness Scholars are recognized for successfully preparing to compete for top opportunities that improve long-term outcomes.
“The Initiative’s watchword is competitiveness and these students are fine examples of the depth and diversity of competitive talent at our institutions. We are honored to recognize them,” said Johnathan Holifield, Executive Director of the Initiative.
A biology major with a minor in Computer Information Systems, Angelique has taken advantage of numerous hands-on learning opportunities to enhance her studies, including traveling to Silicon Valley last fall to participate in the HBCU Innovation Summit, a UNCF program that exposes students to corporations and professionals in the technology industry.
She is presently doing an internship as a software developer at Quicken Loans in Detroit, Michigan.
Cooper and her fellow scholars will be formally recognized in Washington, D.C., when they attend the National HBCU Week Conference September 8-11 where they will participate in workshops designed to improve leadership, encourage ongoing personal and professional development and discover areas of innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We’re looking forward to working with and learning from with this new cohort of HBCU Competitiveness Scholars,” said Elyse Jones, the Initiative’s Coordinator for the Scholars Program. “We have lots of unique, fun and interactive opportunities planned for this year that will provide new opportunities for these representatives, exposing them to critical national conversations and powerful thought leaders.”
The WHIHBCUs has set the goals for each scholar during their year of service, and they include learning and sharing proven and promising practices that support individual and HBCU competitiveness, with the outcome of strengthening prospects for career and life success.
The Wiley College family extends best wishes to Miss Cooper as she embarks on this new endeavor and looks forward to supporting and encouraging her during her year of service.