Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship Fund

Gabrielle Coleman is currently a senior studying Information Systems in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Over the course of her time at the University of Maryland, she has been a representative for the university Student Government Association, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Technica Hacks, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Co-Chair of the Women's Empowerment Institute. Professionally, she has interned at JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Microsoft. After graduation, she will be working full-time as a Customer Success manager at Microsoft in Atlanta, Georgia.

My name is Joyce (Joy) Tijani. I am a senior Computer Science major with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and will be graduating early in December 2022. During my time at the University of Maryland I have had the privilege of joining various organizations with a focus on giving back to my peers and local community. I currently hold the honor of serving as the President of Code: Black as well as the President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Nu Chapter. After serving as Vice President of the UMD chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, I continue to remain active in the organization. I would like to express my extreme gratitude towards the scholarship committee for picking me for this amazing opportunity.

Aliyah Jackson is a Senior Psychology and Theatre double major at the University of Maryland College Park. During her four years she has stayed involved on and off campus through mentorship at Cool Spring Elementary in Prince George’s County. Working for the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education. Tutoring over her summers. Mentoring high school girls of color and composing socio-political art. Additionally, during Aliyah’s sophomore year of college she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and since has held several executive board and committee chairman positions. Throughout her four years Aliyah has also been involved in several student run and mainstage productions, with the last being a lead role in the play Flyin’ West which highlighted black women pioneers during the Homestead Act of 1862. Aliyah, continues to remain involved within her surrounding community through mentorship at Eleanor Roosevelt high school and creating short films that addresses social and political disparities affecting the black community. Upon graduating Aliyah plans to pursue a career in film as a script writer, director, and actor in order to make space for minority communities to tell their stories and have their voice be heard.