Three Georgia Southern information technology students awarded Women in Technology scholarships

July 24, 2018

Elizabeth Rasnick, Ph.D., Alajia Colon, Angel VanEllison, Chidera Obinali and Kristen Hawkins hold up the Georgia Southern flag.

Women in Technology (WIT), an organization for the advancement of women in technological fields, has awarded $5,000 scholarships to three women at Georgia Southern University.

Chidera Obinali, an information technology major with a specialization in web and mobile technologies, received the WIT Campus T-Mobile Scholarship. Obinali, who is also the public relations officer for the Association of IT Professionals, said she appreciates the motivation and support she’s gotten from Georgia Southern’s chapter of WIT Campus, which focuses on providing college women with opportunities to explore and experience technological career fields.

“This organization motivated me to become more active in my personal and career development,” she said. “Georgia Southern’s WIT Campus has regularly supported and encouraged me to do more than what was expected. As someone whose academic career is financially supported through loans and scholarships, it was truly a blessing to be able to attend major networking events that connected me to influential people in my field.”

Chidera Obinali

Angel VanEllison, an information technology major with a specialization in web and mobile foundations, was awarded the WIT Campus Fiserv Scholarship. VanEllison, who is the vice president of programs for WIT Campus at Georgia Southern, said she values the networking opportunities provided by WIT Campus.

“By attending WIT workshops and events, I have been able to network, gain skills and learn more about amazing companies,” VanEllison said. “WIT’s volunteers have forever impacted my life. The advice and support that I have received from them will help me succeed in the future.”

Alajia Colon, an information technology major with a minor in graphic communications, won the WIT Campus Edge Solutions Scholarship. Colon, who is the vice president of membership for WIT Campus at Georgia Southern, said she hopes to one day start her own web development and graphic design company.

“Being involved in WIT Campus has given me a lot of professional advice that I implement every day and pass along to my friends and those younger than me,” Colon said.

WIT gives out 12 scholarships to women who are active in the technology realm and who advocate for women in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields. The organization meets its objectives through networking, technology education, leadership development and mentoring opportunities for women at all levels of their careers.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.