Center for Energy Workforce Development and National Utilities Diversity Council Name Inaugural Class for Campus Energy Network

Student Scholars Will Connect with Mentors from Energy Sector

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 12, 2021 – – The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) and the National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC) have announced the selection of 15 students from Jackson State University for the Campus Energy Network (CEN), a new career exploration program that connects high-achieving college students with mentors from the energy sector. Through this program, also managed in collaboration with the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), students will engage with energy professionals from the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation, Entergy, and others to learn about industry career opportunities and professional development essentials including networking, building a personal brand, navigating office etiquette, and more.

The students selected include:

Qaylin Holliman, Junior, Computer Science
Micheal Rosenthall, Junior, Civil Engineering
Azalia Jones, Senior, Civil Engineering
Jacquie James, Senior, Urban and Regional Planning
Malcolm Moore, Sophomore, Electrical Engineering
Emerril Green, Junior, Computer Science
Ameera El’Amin-White, Senior, Computer Engineering/ Electrical Engineering
Damian Patterson, Senior, Computer Science
Emmanuel Edorodion, Sophomore, Computer Engineering
Guy Johnson, Senior, Computer Engineering
Tiffany Campbell, Junior, Civil Engineering
Trevian Strong, Senior, Electrical Engineering (Power Systems Emphasis)
EMMANUEL AZUM, Junior, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Andre Cox, Junior, Computer Engineering
Tre’ Vaughn Rodgers, Sophomore, Civil engineering

“We are excited to work with these talented young men and women from Jackson State University through the College Energy Network,” said Missy Henriksen, Executive Director of CEWD. “The energy industry, which employs more than seven million men and women, is eager to expand the diversity of its workforce and that objective can best be realized by ensuring students who may not be familiar with the incredible career opportunities that exist in this field are exposed to the myriad of professional pathways in this essential industry.”

“NUDC is honored to collaborate with CEWD, AABE, Jackson State, Arkansas Electric Cooperative, and Entergy on the Network, “ said Laurie Dowling, Executive Director of NUDC.  America’s minority serving institutions, like Jackson State University, are treasure troves of talented women and men who will lead the energy industry into the future.  Our hope is that the Network participants will learn more about the energy industry, gain knowledge in onboarding for maximum success in their first careers, and share their innovative insights to help transform their mentors’ perspectives on work as well.

The program is one of three such programs NUDC and CEWD are conducting virtually on college campuses this year, with hopes of scaling the college connections in the future. Information on energy careers can be found at GetIntoEnergy.com.

About the Center for Energy Workforce Development

The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a non-profit consortium of electric, natural gas and nuclear utilities and businesses and their associations—American Gas Association, Distribution Contractors Association, Edison Electric Institute, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Nuclear Energy Institute – and labor, educators, and workforce systems working together to ensure a skilled, diverse talent pipeline to meet future energy needs.

About the National Utilities Diversity Council

The National Utilities Diversity Council educates, develops best practices and guides efforts that will promote diversity in the utilities and communications industries in the areas of governance, employment, procurement, language access/customer service, and philanthropy.

About American Association for Blacks in Energy

The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is a national association of energy professionals dedicated to ensuring the input of African Americans and other minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policies regulations, R&D technologies, and environmental issues.