New Program Recruits African-American Girls to Computer Science
The computing workforce continues to grow, but women of color remain largely underrepresented. Tuskegee University recently announced a $1.3 million grant program funded by the National Science Foundation that aims to prepare African-American girls in Alabama for careers in computer science.
The program is called Black Girls from Alabama for Computing. It is a collaboration between Tuskegee, the University of Alabama and Oakland University. The project is open to African-American high school girls who enroll in AP Computer Science. The bulk of it takes place during the summer, when students will split time between the University of Alabama and Tuskegee University. They will learn about careers in computing and prepare for AP computer science.
African-American women make up about 3% of the nation’s computing workforce. Mohammed Qazi, a professor at Tuskegee who helps lead the new project, says diversity is important. “It’s all about diversity of thought,” he says, “bringing different perspectives when one is solving a problem.” Qazi says there is a tremendous need for computer scientists in the U.S. He hopes to create a pipeline to recruit more minority girls to the field. The National Science Foundation will fund the program for three years.
Alabama regulators approve two-year electric rate freeze and two solar projects for a Meta data center
Critics say the rate freeze will only delay financial burdens on Alabama Power customers while preserving a high profit rate for the utility.
Auburn tabs USF’s Alex Golesh as its next coach, replacing Hugh Freeze on the Plains
The 41-year-old Golesh, who was born in Russia and moved to the United State at age 7, is signing a six-year contract that averages more than $7 million annually to replace Hugh Freeze. Freeze was fired in early November after failing to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three seasons on the Plains.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
