Eight months ago, I made one of the most important decisions of my life: I decided that I wanted more for myself. I chose to step away from marijuana use and begin living a sober life, even though I knew it would not be easy. I was in college and trying to figure out how to keep going while dealing with the stress of paying for school and taking care of my everyday responsibilities. During that time, I started using marijuana in 2024 as a way to cope. What started as something I relied on gradually became an addiction that was affecting my life, especially my education. I eventually had to be honest with myself and recognize that if I wanted my future to look different, I had to make a different choice. One of the biggest signs that I needed to make a change was what was happening in my classes. I was not doing as well in school as I wanted to, and I began noticing how much my marijuana use was interfering with my focus and motivation. I would have urges to use, and it became difficult to think about other things. That was a hard realization because I knew that I was in college for a reason: I wanted to build a better future for myself. I did not want my addiction to become the reason I gave up on my education or my goals. Eventually, I decided that I had to take that leap and choose recovery. When I stopped using, I began to see a big difference in my life. I had more room to focus on school, my goals, and the person I wanted to become. Getting sober was not something that happened without challenges. There were times when I had urges and had to learn how to deal with my feelings and stress in healthier ways. Instead of turning to marijuana, I started finding other things to do, such as getting a coffee, reading a book, or spending time with friends. These simple choices helped me learn that I could cope with difficult moments without going back to the habit that was hurting me. I have now been sober for almost eight months, and I am proud of myself for making the decision to change my life. My recovery has taught me that asking yourself to grow can be uncomfortable, but it can also open the door to a completely different future. moving in the direction I want to go. My education is a major part of that future. I am pursuing a degree in digital marketing because I want to build a career in business and create opportunities for myself. At the same time, paying for college can be difficult. Tuition, books, rent, food, clothing, and other everyday expenses can add up quickly, and financial stress has been one of the challenges I have had to face while continuing my education. Receiving this scholarship would make a meaningful difference by helping with my educational expenses and allowing me to focus more on completing my degree and reaching my goals. I also want to use my education to help other people. My experience has shown me that someone can struggle, make a change, and still create a positive future. I want to encourage others who may be dealing with addiction or who feel like they have fallen behind in their education. I want to be able to tell them, from my own experience, that change is possible and that they can keep going.

My name is Tammyel Carter, and I am a sophomore majoring in Computer Science at Louisiana State University. Growing up, I developed a deep fascination with technology and its potential to change lives. I was captivated by the way code can transform ideas into powerful digital tools that connect people, solve problems, and drive innovation. This passion for technology has guided my academic journey and shaped my vision for making a meaningful impact on the world and my community. As a Black woman in the tech field, I am particularly aware of the importance of representation and diversity in technology. I understand that my presence in this space is not just about personal achievement but about breaking barriers and creating pathways for others. I want to be a role model for young Black students who might not see themselves reflected in the tech industry and to show them that their voices and perspectives are not just needed but essential. My goal is to use my computer science education to develop technologies that empower underserved communities and bridge the digital divide. I believe that technology has the power to break down barriers, provide access to resources, and create economic opportunities for those who have been historically marginalized. For example, I am passionate about creating platforms that connect Black entrepreneurs to funding, mentorship, and customers, helping them scale their businesses and compete in the digital marketplace. By doing so, I hope to contribute to the economic empowerment of my community and help close the wealth gap. In addition to my technical aspirations, I am committed to promoting digital literacy and STEM education in underserved communities. I plan to volunteer my time teaching coding and computer science to young students, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to pursue careers in technology. By investing in the next generation of innovators, I hope to inspire more young people of color to enter the tech field and make their mark on the industry. I also plan to use my platform to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in tech. I believe that technology should reflect the perspectives and needs of all people, not just a select few. This means pushing for more equitable hiring practices, supporting inclusive product design, and challenging the biases that still exist within the tech industry. I want to be a voice for change, encouraging tech companies to create environments where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background. Receiving this scholarship would be a critical step in helping me achieve these goals. It would provide the financial support I need to focus on my studies, gain valuable internships, and access resources that will prepare me for a successful career in tech. It would also allow me to continue breaking barriers and serving as a role model for other Black students pursuing STEM careers. Ultimately, my vision is to not just participate in the tech industry but to transform it. I want to build technologies that empower my community, challenge the status quo, and redefine what is possible for Black professionals in business. With this scholarship, I can move one step closer to making that vision a reality and help pave the way for future generations of innovators. Thank you for considering my application, and for supporting students like me who are committed to making a positive impact on the world.

My passion for technology began at a young age, sparked by a deep curiosity about how digital systems work and a desire to understand the code that powers our increasingly connected world. Choosing to major in computer science felt like a natural fit because it allows me to blend my creativity with analytical thinking, transforming complex ideas into functional, impactful solutions. From the algorithms that drive artificial intelligence to the code that secures our data, the possibilities in this field are limitless, and I am excited to be a part of this rapidly evolving industry. As a computer science student, my ultimate career goal is to become a software engineer, specializing in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data science. I want to create technologies that not only improve everyday life but also empower underrepresented communities, particularly Black entrepreneurs and innovators. I believe technology has the power to break down barriers, create opportunities, and drive meaningful change. My vision is to work at a company where I can contribute to groundbreaking projects, develop scalable software solutions, and eventually start my own tech company that prioritizes diversity, inclusivity, and social impact. However, my journey to this point has not been without challenges. As a Black student in a predominantly white field, I have often felt the pressure to prove myself in environments where I am underrepresented. There have been moments of self-doubt, isolation, and the constant need to break through stereotypes. Despite these obstacles, my determination to succeed has only grown stronger. I have learned to use these experiences as motivation, pushing myself to excel in my coursework, seek out mentorship, and build the technical skills needed to thrive in a competitive industry. One of the most significant challenges I have faced is the financial burden of pursuing a computer science degree. College can be expensive, and balancing academics, part-time work, and personal responsibilities is no easy task. However, these challenges have taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of perseverance. They have also fueled my desire to give back to my community, inspiring me to create opportunities for other aspiring Black technologists who may face similar barriers. Diversity and inclusion are critical in the tech industry because technology shapes our world, and it should reflect the perspectives of all people. Without diverse voices at the table, innovations risk being biased and exclusive, potentially overlooking the needs of entire communities. For example, facial recognition software has been shown to struggle with accurately identifying darker skin tones, highlighting the urgent need for diverse teams in tech. By promoting inclusivity, we can create more ethical, accessible, and impactful technologies that truly serve everyone. I am committed to being a part of this movement, advocating for change within the industry and using my skills to build a more inclusive tech future. I want to inspire the next generation of Black innovators and help create a world where young people of color feel confident pursuing careers in technology without fear of being overlooked or underestimated. This scholarship will be a critical step toward achieving my goals. It will provide the financial support I need to focus on my studies, gain valuable internships, and access resources that will prepare me for a successful career in tech. It will also allow me to continue breaking barriers and serve as a role model for other Black students pursuing STEM careers. With this scholarship, I can move one step closer to making my vision a reality, creating a lasting impact on my community and redefining the face of technology. Ultimately, my goal is not just to participate in the tech industry but to transform it. I want to build technologies that empower my community, challenge the status quo, and redefine what is possible for Black professionals in the business world. With this scholarship, I can make that vision a reality and help pave the way for future generations of innovators.

As a computer science major, my education is not just a personal investment but a commitment to uplifting my community and building a better path for Black people in the business world. The tech industry is one of the most influential sectors globally, driving innovation, creating wealth, and shaping the future. However, Black professionals remain significantly underrepresented in this space, often lacking the access, resources, and mentorship needed to succeed. I am determined to change this narrative by using my education to bridge the gap and create lasting opportunities for my community. One of my primary goals is to develop innovative technologies that address the unique challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs. Many Black business owners struggle to secure funding, navigate complex digital markets, or gain visibility in competitive industries. By leveraging my skills in software development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, I can create platforms that connect Black entrepreneurs to resources, mentorship, and investment opportunities. For example, I envision creating a digital marketplace specifically designed to amplify Black-owned businesses, making it easier for them to reach customers, track performance, and scale their operations. Additionally, I plan to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within the tech sector itself. This includes working to eliminate bias in hiring algorithms, promoting equitable access to digital tools, and supporting initiatives that encourage more Black students to pursue STEM careers. Representation in technology is crucial, not just for economic advancement but for shaping the cultural and ethical direction of the industry. By pushing for more inclusive policies and practices, I hope to break down the systemic barriers that have historically limited our community’s progress in tech. Furthermore, I am passionate about using my education to close the digital divide in underserved communities. Too often, talented Black students are discouraged from pursuing tech careers due to a lack of exposure, mentorship, or resources. I plan to volunteer my time to teach coding, mentor aspiring developers, and create programs that spark a passion for technology in the next generation. By providing young Black students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in tech, I believe we can create a powerful wave of change that will redefine the future of business. Ultimately, my goal is to not just participate in the tech industry but to transform it. I want to create technologies that empower my community, challenge the status quo, and redefine what is possible for Black professionals in business. By combining my technical skills with a deep commitment to social impact, I believe I can contribute to a future where Black voices are not just heard but lead in shaping the world of tomorrow.

I still remember the day I wrote my first line of code. I was fifteen, experimenting with a simple HTML page to showcase my photography. As I watched the browser render my work, I felt a rush of excitement: here was a tool I could use to shape ideas, solve problems, and create experiences that mattered. That moment sparked my passion for computer science, and it has guided every step of my academic journey since. Growing up in Baton Rouge, I was always drawn to puzzles—whether they were jigsaw puzzles at home or the logic problems in math class. In high school, I discovered programming as a new kind of puzzle: one where I could build solutions from scratch. I taught myself Python through online tutorials, then joined a summer coding camp at LSU. Working alongside peers on a mobile app to help tourists navigate campus, I realized that computer science combined my love of problem‐solving with the power to make an impact on real people. When I enrolled at LSU as a Computer Science major, I brought that same curiosity and determination to every assignment, from data structures projects to collaborative hackathons. My dream job is to become a software engineer at a technology company that uses machine learning to address pressing social challenges—whether it’s improving access to healthcare in underserved communities or optimizing disaster‑response logistics. I envision leading a team that designs intuitive, AI‑driven tools that empower people and organizations to make better decisions. In particular, I’m fascinated by natural language processing and human‑computer interaction; I want to build systems that understand users’ needs and adapt dynamically—and in doing so, make technology more inclusive and accessible. I believe I am the strongest candidate for this scholarship because of the unique blend of creativity, perseverance, and community focus that I bring to my work. Academically, I have maintained a 3.8 GPA while tackling rigorous courses like Algorithms and Operating Systems. When I encountered a setback—such as barely passing my first Calculus exam—I doubled down: I formed study groups, attended every office hour, and eventually not only passed but earned one of the highest grades in the class. Beyond the classroom, I’ve volunteered as a tutor for underclassmen in MATH 1540 and CHEM 1001, translating complex concepts into relatable examples. These experiences taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of clear communication—skills that are essential for any engineer working in a team. Moreover, as a sophomore balancing a full course load, part‑time work, and leadership as vice president of the Women in Computing student organization, I’ve honed my time‑management and collaboration skills. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of pursuing an ambitious academic path, but also validate the drive and dedication I bring to every challenge. With your support, I will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible—both in my own education and in the communities I serve. Thank you for considering my application.

Since a little girl, I always wanted to step out the box and do something differently than other girls . I thought about being a Doctor , but I decided to be a Software Engineer. I wanted to make a difference in technology and make new technology. I would always play with computers and apps as a child and ever since then I knew what I wanted to be . During high school I always enjoyed math and learning how to problem solve all the problems. I was really good in math and my math teachers would always recognize me for doing excellent in class. It made me wonder what can I put my skills to the test because math is like a puzzle. You have to put pieces together to get the right outcome in the problem. Women who wants to pursue their career in the STEM field want to make a difference in our world. I attend Louisiana State University, and my major is Computer Science. This major involves problems solving, skill, and hard work. I really enjoy learning about coding and how problems come to a good result. After graduating college , I want to pursue my focus of Computer Science by becoming a software engineer. I want to be able to work in either Microsoft, Apple, or Google. I want to learn more about what it takes for technology to be involved in this world. I want to be a woman who stands on her own when it comes down to new technology. I want to build apps and also include the woman image into all of my work . As a community with women , we need to strive for what we want and our goals. As an upcoming mature woman, I want to put all my skills to the test, and do what I love. I want to put all of my thoughts into technology and new technology, Also, as woman, we have to be strong for ourselves and know that being in the STEM field isn’t always going to be easy. We have to learn not to give up and also learn that whatever we go through we will get through it. sometimes I thought that I could never get through it because I didn’t have the skills as everyone else . In the long run, I want to be someone who changes the world , make apps or either websites to help women in the STEM field as well.