2021 Dr. Price Cobbs USAA Scholars
This scholarship was created in honor of Dr. Price Cobbs, a long-term strategic advisor and veteran of the U.S. Army.
Sponsored by USAA, this scholarship is awarded to high-achieving Black students attending a four-year college/university who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to community involvement. Dr. Price Cobbs was a long-term strategic advisor and veteran of the U.S. Army.
Ten (10) scholarship awardees will receive a one-time scholarship in the amount of $10,000 to assist with educational expenses for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Allan Odiadi
Allan Odiadi is a junior in the College of Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University, studying physics. Odiadi is interested in computer science and information technology, since he believes that these fields will directly shape our society in the coming years. On campus, Odiadi in heavily involved in the catholic community, and has been an active member in the Anime and Chess Clubs. Born in Maryland, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Odiadi enjoys reading, table tennis and playing video games in his free time.
Brianna Davis
Brianna Davis is a sophomore civil engineering student at Villanova University and wants a career in the construction industry. At Villanova, she is involved with the College of Engineering’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and volunteers in two of the engineering programs for middle through high schoolers. Outside of school, Davis was a Girl Scout for 13 years and continues to work with the Girl Scouts as a Troop Leader for girls in kindergarten and firt grade. Davis’s work is strongly connected to educating the younger generation in STEM because of her experience participating in STEM camps as a child. The camps built up her confidence and creative skills to want a career in the field. Her work with building on her initiative “STEAM for All” has been recognized by receiving the Girl Scout Gold and 2020 National Liberty Museum Young Heroes Awards.
Christian Herbert
Christian Herbert is a proud HLLC scholar attending Rutgers University Newark. His passion for science and mental health led him to major in neuroscience and behavior. Herbert is very active on campus. He worked as a member of the Jumpstart Program during his freshman year, doing various activities and reading books to Children. He also worked as a Raiders intern at the Intercultural Resource Center, creating media content and educating others on pressing issues in the LGBTQ community. He volunteers at the Pentecost Food Pantry under the management of his former high school volleyball coach, bagging and distributing food to those in need. Herbert has been working extremely hard to maintain a GPA above 3.5.
Dwayne Williams
Dwayne Williams is a young leader in every way, shape, and form of those words at Howard University. His ambition to change the world and dedication to causes speaks for itself. Williams is a person who strives for the betterment of entire communities as shown by his documented 1,300-plus community service hours with Chicago non-profit The P.O.W.E.R. Club, as well as his selection to be on an advisory counsel for the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team. He personally believes in bridging the distance between communities and corporate worlds to provide a better America, as he hopes to achieve by double-majoring in business Management, and human Resources. Williams also started an organization known as Minority Money Inc. with the aim of educating underserved communities on financial literacy, ultimately working to chip away at the disparities shown in business and finances throughout our country.
Eugenie Ishimwe
Eugenie Ishimwe is a junior in the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, studying accounting with a minor in economics. Ishimwe is interested in the intersection of business and law along with technology, as she recognizes the importance of both in the success of any business. She enjoys talking about financial literacy and personal investing. On campus, Ishimwe is heavily involved in investment clubs, mentorship programs, and volunteering her time to students and individuals in the community. Ishimwe was born in Democratic Republic of the Congo, lived in Zambia and Maryland but now permanently resides in West Fargo, North Dakota. She enjoys watching Korean dramas, cooking, and socializing with friends and family in her free time.
Gabrielle Laine
Gabrielle Laine is a sophomore in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, studying business information technology with a concentration in cybersecurity. The tech industry has always piqued Laine’s interest and working in the Cybersecurity field will enhance her knowledge of the intricacies within the cyber world and teach her how to protect her community. On campus, Laine is involved in the living-learning community Jima, Collegiate Women in Business Club, and the Women in Technology Club. During her first semester, she acquired the Comp TIAITF+ certification and during her second semester, she acquired her Google Technical Support Fundamentals certification. In addition to receiving certifications during her freshman year of college, Laine earned a position in Virginia Tech’s IT department as a Student Consultant. During the pandemic, Laine created her own virtual tutoring business for K-6 students. Born and raised in New Jersey, Laine enjoys playing basketball, learning new things, exploring, and socializing.
Jacob Thomas
Jacob Thomas is a junior in the School of Humanities and Behavioral Social Sciences at Fisk University. Thomas is studying psychology while having a focus in pre-medicine as this gives him a good balance of both worlds for him to fulfill his aspirations in becoming a pediatric psychiatrist. Before his transfer to Fisk University during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas helped mentor children and made the dean’s list both semesters at his previous school, Claflin University. Thomas is also coaching baseball over the summer back in his hometown. Going on campus for the first time in the fall, Thomas plans to be active and maximize his next two years at Fisk University. Thomas also loves to hang out with friends, watch movies/ TV series, play videogames, and play baseball where he is hopeful to continue playing on Vanderbilt’s club baseball team.
Jdia Jones
Jdia Jones is a fourth-year student at Clayton State University. Once she began her undergraduate experience, she decided to major in liberal studies and minor in English. She chose to pursue her personal interests while rapidly shortening and enhancing her journey to graduation. Throughout the duration of her undergraduate experience, Jones received the opportunity to work within Clayton State University’s English department as a Peer Academic Mentor to first-year writing students. Outside of school, Jones serves as a Student Leader within her local National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Young 100 program; she also served as a member of the American Medical Student Association and Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Jones is passionate about community involvement and is always finding ways to make a difference.
Nadine Simprevil
Nadine Simprevil is a sophomore at New York University studying biochemistry and psychology. Simprevil is primarily interested in being a part of the healthcare community and helping to break the racial barrier in the healthcare system. Being involved in this community would allow Simprevil to serve her community, while also helping to bridge the healthcare gap that causes these disparities in the system. On NYU’S campus, Simprevil is involved in the Haitian American Students Association (HASA), Academic Achievement Program (AAP), and the monthly service projects. As a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist church, Simprevil participates in biweekly food service projects and weekly children’s teaching of the Bible. As a native of Brooklyn, New York, Simprevil enjoys singing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Shawn Washington
Shawn Washington is a junior at Purdue University where he is studying chemical engineering. He is committed to his academics, being on the dean’s list and earning semester honors each semester thus far. Washington is active on campus as the Public Relations Director of the Purdue Student Engineering Foundation and a contributing member of the NSBE Purdue Grand Prix team. He interned for ExxonMobil in Baytown, Texas in 2020 and is currently interning for Ingredion Inc. in North Kansas City, Missouri as the process engineering intern. He has achieved scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout and earned the President’s Volunteer Service Bronze Metal Award.
