White House Selects Stillman College Juniors HBCU Initiative

As faculty and staff prepare for the 2021-2022 academic school year at Stillman College, they have reason to celebrate. Two Stillman College juniors have been selected to participate in the 2021 HBCU Scholars Initiative.

Juniors Kennedy-MyCal Davis, a junior business administration major from Prichard, and Roulan Abunahla, a junior business administration major from Palestine, West Bank Gaza, were among the nine students selected from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the State of Alabama.

The total number of applicants for the program exceeded 200 students across the nation. Applicants were to send in transcripts, a resume, a letter of recommendation, and an essay to qualify for this program. For an added level of prestige, the university president's signature was required before submission.

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Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick spoke on the HBCU Scholars Initiative program and what it means to the campus. Over the last two years, Stillman only had one HBCU Scholar. Dr. Warrick said the selection of two students in one year demonstrates “the competitiveness of our students for this national honor by the White House.”

Over the course of the academic year, Davis, Abunahla, and more than 80 other HBCU Scholars across the country will serve as ambassadors of the Initiative at their respective institutions. The Initiative will provide scholars with information about the value of education as well as networking opportunities. Scholars can also share these resources with their fellow students.

Newly selected scholar Roulan Abunahla said, “I wasn’t expecting an opportunity like this when I came to Stillman,” Abunahla said. “I never thought I’d have a chance to be part of a program like this.”

Kennedy-MyCal Davis praised Stillman College for its awareness and willingness to help students achieve their goals. “Stillman notices when its students are motivated and involved, and they work with you to help reach your goals,” Davis said.