Motor company and brand Nissan has donated a substantial gift to the seven prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Mississippi. This contribution is explicitly allocated to encourage interest in STEM-related careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The $250,000 gift makes six years in a row that Nissan has provided financial support to the institutions, which includes Coahoma Community College, Rust College, Hinds Community College-Utica campus, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and Jackson State University. Total funds set aside for the schools presently amount to almost $1.5 million.
In a recent news release from the company, Keri Kelly, the director of Diversity and Inclusion for Nissan Americas, recognizes that the HBCUs hold an integral role in preparing STEM majors for widespread impact.
“Students pursuing STEM-related degrees have a broad range of career opportunities,” she said.
Tim Fallon, vice president of manufacturing for the Nissan Canton Assembly Plant in Canton, Mississippi, also commented, expressing that the business owes gratitude to the HBCU graduates who have bravely taken on the engineering and manufacturing challenges that come with creating its award-winning cars and trucks.
Patricia Furdge, chair of Coahoma’s Science and Math department, believes such gifts aid in giving STEM students a highly beneficial educational experience.
“Science is changing! To prepare our students for these changes, funds are needed to upgrade our labs and to enhance our existing technological capabilities,” said Furdge.
“Preparing our students for STEM programs such as engineering and biotechnology will effect change in their community and the world in which we live. Coahoma Community College students have competed in national STEM competitions such as the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars Program. Future contributions will ensure that our students have the opportunity to strengthen their scientific, analytical, and problem-solving skills and become more competitive in STEM programs.”
To learn more about academic programs of study in the subjects of science, math, and technology offered by Coahoma Community College, go to www.coahomacc.edu/programs/academics.