January 1, 2025

As indicated above, Joie is part of the 2024 ELC Scholars Cohort. Joie, a Georgia native and 2nd-year student in the Spelman College Honors College checked in to bring us up to date on the amazing experience she is having at Spelman College. Joie is part of a group of ladies who have been part of our program, and after weighing many college and scholarship options, chose to attend Spelman College. Joie is a CodeHouse Scholar and ELC Scholar pursuing a BS in Computer Science. Her journey epitomizes what we profile about HBCU opportunities in STEM in “HBCU STEM Pathways.”

Hey! I’m doing well. I love Spelman and being an honors student. This semester was my best and busiest yet. Here’s what I’ve been up to: 

I traveled to DC for ELC’s Symposium. I had a wonderful time, learned a lot, and made meaningful connections. I also won an Apple Pencil for my attentiveness and dedication to note-taking during all sessions and a gift card for the best scholarship cohort (along with the other Ann Fudge Scholars). Then, in the same month I traveled to Pittsburgh for a Computer Science research conference at Carnegie Mellon University where I worked on a research project with a team and presented at the end of the conference (funded by Spelman’s CS Department). Shortly after I returned, I was notified that after applying and interviewing with multiple companies I received an offer to work at Meta in Menlo Park, California for a paid Software Engineering internship and I accepted that offer. 

I also received a scholarship to attend the AfroTech Conference in Houston, Texas in November and the company, Rewriting the Code, that funded my trip asked me to do an Instagram Takeover on their company’s Instagram account. They said it was their best takeover yet!   

I also recently received a $5,000 scholarship from the Computer Science Department at Spelman. I ended my semester with being asked by CodeHouse to speak to high school computer science students at Benjamin E. Mays High School along with 3 other CodeHouse scholars in my cohort. I did all of this while taking 19 credit hours, and ending the semester with all A’s so far (I am still waiting on one more final grade, praying that one will be an A as well.) 

On January 6th, I will be headed to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California for the orientation of a selective and rigorous program called Google Tech Exchange where I will be taking classes from Google employees during the spring semester. I also have been taking dance classes here and there where my schedule permits. I am not taking as many credits this semester so, I am planning to sign up for classes at the Atlanta Ballet next semester so I can continue pursuing my passion.

Joie landed these many opportunities because she was been intentional in developing her pre-college plan and building her résumé throughout high school. Not only did those efforts pay off with being offered admission to the Spelman College Honors College, but contributed to here selection as a CodeHouse Scholar during the summer prior to entering Spelman.

Since enrolling at Spelman, Joie has continued to be intentional in building her résumé, which we assisted her in transferring into a CV format. She has been active in the honors program; a member of Girls Who Code; a member of Spelbots, a robotics club; joined the National Society of Black Engineers; joined the Pre-Alumnae Association; and volunteered throughout the Atlanta area including mentoring middle school and high school students.

Joie is one of the students profiled in HBCU Scholarships…and more*.