Academics, Affordability, College of Science and Mathematics, Computer Science, Diversity, Giving

Nubuya begins scholarship to assist black women studying computers and technology

By Jan Joslin | January 25, 2024

Napiya Nubuya shares about her organization, The NEXT IT GIRL, with President Keith Faulkner. Photo by Ty Cornett

Junior, senior, and graduate black women enrolled in computer science or a technology-related degree or a graduate program within the College of Math and Science with financial need may be eligible for a new scholarship, The NEXT IT GIRL in Memory of Karen Vaughn Endowed Scholarship.

Funded by alumnus Napiya Nubuya ’14 and her organization, The NEXT IT GIRL, the scholarship recognizes the efforts of the late Karen Vaughn, who helped start the organization.

While at CSU, Nubuya was inspired by Dr. Valerie Sessions, current director of graduate study in computer science, and the only female computer faculty member while Nubuya was in college. Sessions remains one of Nubuya’s most valued mentors in the field of computer science. Entering the workforce, Nubuya continued to see a need for women and people of color in the technical world.

These experiences led her to form The NEXT IT GIRL organization and establish a scholarship at CSU.

To read more about why Nubuya established The Next IT Girl, read charlestonsouthern.edu/computer-science-graduate-comes-full-circle/