WASHINGTON – Howard University rising senior Diane Ijoma has been named a 2019 HBCU Competitiveness Scholar by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Ijoma, a Maryland native, is a political science and economics major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The entire Howard University community extends congratulations to Diane on her selection as a 2019 HBCU Competitiveness Scholar,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “Her track record for excellence in and out of the classroom and her interest in international public policy made her a clear choice for nomination for this prestigious opportunity. We look forward to her continued success as she represents Howard in the program.”

Ijoma was selected as one of 44 students selected from 34 HBCUs, who were nominated by their institutions. The program, which is considered the White House Initiative’s highest student award, recognizes outstanding student leaders and further empowers them with tools for excellence and competitiveness.

“Being named an HBCU Competitiveness Scholar is a great honor,” says Ijoma. “I’m excited to represent Howard University on this national stage. This is a great opportunity to learn from leaders from other HBCUs across the country and from leaders in the White House.”

Ijoma also received the prestigious 2019 David L. Boren Award. As a Boren scholar, she is currently participating in an intensive French and Wolof language program at the University of Florida and will be spending the fall semester abroad in Dakar, Senegal. She previously served as an intern for the U.S. Department of State, where she worked closely with American Diplomats serving in Juba, South Sudan. She also spent last summer in Arusha, Tanzania, studying Swahili as a Critical Language Scholar.

Ijoma will participate in the 2019 National HBCU Week Conference to be held September 8-10, where she and other scholars will be recognized. The conference will include workshops designed to help students learn and adopt promising practices in areas such as leadership, professional development, HBCU competitiveness and workforce development. This year’s conference theme is Enhancing HBCU Competitiveness: Student Achievement, Quality Partnerships, and Institutional Performance.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu