@Claflin: New Zoom Employees, Baccalaureate Service, Countdown to Commencement, UNCF Day of Giving, and more

April 19, 2022

The World Needs Visionaries

Claflin STEM Majors to Begin Full-Time Positions with Zoom Communications Following Year-Long Internship

by Daa'iyah Fogle, student writer

A pair of talented Claflin University STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) majors have accepted six-figure employment opportunities at Zoom Video Communications, Inc. AaLeeyah Housey, a senior from Columbia, S.C., and Harris Roach, a senior from Atlanta, Ga, will become full-time employees with Zoom in July 2022, following a year-long internship with the company.

Claflin launched a five-year strategic partnership between the University and Zoom in 2020. The $1.2M partnership established a multifaceted foundational program for educational and financial investments for Claflin. The partnership includes paid internship opportunities for Claflin students.

“I am really looking forward to working with Zoom full-time in July. After interning with the company for a year, I have established great relationships with my team, and they are so amazing. The supportive company culture is a plus as well,” Roach said.

Roach began interning with Zoom in May 2021 as a security risk intern. She will transition to a security learning and development specialist starting in July. Roach will assist with training all employees, including the 2022 security awareness training. In May, Roach will graduate from Claflin with a degree in computer engineering.

“I am so glad that I decided to attend Claflin. Before Zoom, I interned with IBM, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and traveled on an all-expenses-paid to Israel,” Roach said. “Each of these opportunities came through Claflin and the opportunities they create for the students.”

Housey also expressed her gratitude for being one of Claflin’s first-ever “Zoom Scholars.” “I have gained countless experiences and mentors since beginning my internship,” Housey said. “I appreciate how Zoom values our contributions to the company. Even as interns, they let us know how our work plays an important role in the team's success.”

Currently, Housey is in a dual role as a security risk intern and project manager on the security team. She will serve as a security risk analyst, working directly with Zoom platforms and partners when she transitions into her full-time role.

Before interning with Zoom, Housey worked as a software engineer intern with The Walt Disney Company under the UNCF Walt Disney Scholars Program. Additionally, she was an intern with Boeing and a student researcher at Claflin.

“Overall, I can’t thank Claflin enough for the opportunities that have helped me further my career. I’ve had so many chances to grow my professional network. I truly benefited from interning at a high-tech industry leader because I’m graduating with a full-time position,” Housey said.

The Zoom partnership aligns with Claflin’s Value Proposition and its goal to foster partnerships that strengthen the University’s commitment to student success and access to scholarships, internships, and other career development initiatives.

Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack Holds “Fireside Chat” Featuring California Congressman Ro Khanna

California Congressman Ro Khanna returned to Claflin University’s Ministers’ Hall recently to participate in a “Fireside Chat” with President Dwaun J. Warmack. The event featured a question-and-answer session with Khanna, Dr. Warmack, and audience members.

In 2018, South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn, Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, and Khanna led a delegation of elected officials and venture capitalists on a trip to campuses at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Their purpose, which was part of the “Comeback Cities Tour South,” was to see how HBCUs prepared students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and technology professionals.

“When I visited Claflin back in 2018, I remember meeting two young men who were starting a business,” said Khanna, who represents the 17th Congressional District of California, which encompasses cities in Santa Clara and Alameda counties known as Silicon Valley. “They had so much energy, ambition, and enthusiasm, and I was struck by their level of determination. I thought these are precisely the types of people who make it in Silicon Valley.”

Khanna’s Claflin experience was the catalyst for a five-year partnership between Claflin and Zoom Video Communications, Inc. The partnership represents $1.2 million in educational and financial investments.

AaLeeyah Housey, a senior from Columbia, S.C. (Irmo High School), and Harris Roach, a senior from Atlanta, Ga., (Marietta High School), were Claflin’s first Zoom Scholars. The scholars receive paid internships, scholarships, and real-world experiences with a global leader in the video communications technology industry. Both students will graduate in May before starting full-time jobs at Zoom in July. Housey is a computer science major with a minor in cyber security/criminal justice. Roach is a computer engineering major with a minor in cyber security.

“Their accomplishments speak volumes,” said Warmack. “These talented students received an opportunity to work at Zoom. Their outstanding performances led to them accepting full-time, high-salary jobs and stock shares with the company that will create generational wealth. Thank you, Congressman Khanna, for all you did to make this partnership a reality. This partnership is only the beginning.”

Warmack was the facilitator for the “Fireside Chat." The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including college loan forgiveness, tuition-free college, Claflin’s Zoom Partnership, and the confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first African American woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Warmack also announced that Claflin will soon launch its new master’s in biotechnology with a concentration in climate change program. “At Claflin, we always want to be part of the solution, not the problem,” Warmack said. “We know the importance of climate change mitigation, especially in rural areas. We want Claflin recognized as a thought leader in this space, and our science faculty has done a tremendous job in developing this program. We are looking for corporate partners for this program, as well.”

Despite the early success of Claflin’s partnership with Zoom, Khanna is acutely familiar with Silicon Valley’s lack of diversity. He sees this as a crisis that extends beyond what is considered the global center for high technology and innovation. “I looked into it and discovered that African American students in college have a greater interest in computer science than other students,” Khanna said. “And yet, we as a country are not taking advantage of this tremendous talent. Silicon Valley is so deeply underrepresented by all the talent that exists. My district’s net worth is $11 trillion.

To put that in perspective, the Russian GDP is $1.6 trillion. We have Apple, Intel, Google, Yahoo, LinkedIn, Tesla, and Zoom. The reality is that we will never overcome the racial wealth gap and give people with this talent an opportunity until we begin to democratize opportunities in Silicon Valley. That’s why I am so passionate about working with Claflin and Jim Clyburn to ensure the success of the Zoom partnership.”

Khanna was born in Philadelphia, Pa. His parents immigrated to the United States in the 1970s from India. Khanna’s commitment to public service was inspired by his grandfather, who was active in Gandhi’s independence movement and spent several years in jail for promoting human rights.

“If not for the Civil Rights Movement, my parents would not have been allowed into this country,” Khanna told the audience. “And at one time, when professors from India were unable to get jobs at majority institutions, they were hired on the faculty at HBCUs. We see that many Indian Americans have succeeded in technology, and they are now the heads of Google, Microsoft, and Adobe. They want to open the doors to opportunities in technology for HBCUs and pay back the debt for what they owe to the Civil Rights Movement.”

Khanna received applause and cheers from students when he stated that President Joe Biden needs to forgive no less than $10,000 and up to $50,000 of a student’s loan debt. “We are the only democratic country where students get an education but find themselves $40,000 in debt,” he said. “We can afford free public college in this country.”

Lauren Tolbert, a junior majoring in African and African American Studies with a minor in history and political science, asked Khanna if tech companies could be encouraged to invest not only in black students but also in their neighborhoods and in projects that support social justice. Tolbert is president of Claflin’s Student Government Association, a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, and a Presidential Scholar. She is a native of Chattanooga, Tenn.

“The big tech companies conducted research and discovered that Black employees and interns are more interested in designing apps about social justice than some of their peers,” responded Khanna. “If these companies invested in a diverse employee base, they would invest in the things that the employees cared about. You will not get tech companies to do that organically unless you change the composition of their presidents, vice presidents, and directors of their foundations. Ultimately, the solution is to have people from diverse backgrounds in leadership positions at these companies.”

As a devoted advocate of women’s empowerment and equality, Khanna believes women are crucial to driving innovation, growth, and prosperity. He is a steadfast supporter of women’s rights both nationally and internationally. His insight and perspective of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s treatment during her confirmation hearing reflected Khanna’s admiration for Jackson and the historical significance of her selection to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I thought the insults she endured were beyond the pale. The insults were designed to demean her intelligence, her belonging, and suggest that she was not smart enough to serve on the court,” Khanna said. “But she sat there with so much grace and dignity. She will open the door for so many people and inspire them to dream that they not only can have a seat at the table - but a seat at the head of the table.”

Khanna graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics from the University of Chicago. He earned a law degree at Yale University. Khanna and his wife, Ritu, reside in Fremont, Calif.

“Some students feel some mystification when they come from a smaller college. I have met Claflin students, and you have in your midst enormous talent, Khanna said. “Don’t let people cut short your dreams. Believe in yourself. They need to understand that recruiting outstanding students from HBCUs is in their best interest.”

Countdown to Commencement Convocation

Claflin University’s Spring Commencement Convocation will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 10 a.m. at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. The ceremony will celebrate Spring Class of 2022 graduates. The convocation is a ticketed event. However, the live broadcast of the ceremony will be available on the University's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ClaflinUniversity1869. Please visit the University's website for a schedule of activities and events, including guest speakers, Golden Class Anniversary details, hotels, directions, and more.

Watch Claflin University's Virtual Baccalaureate Service

Claflin’s annual Baccalaureate Service will be a virtual presentation on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 7 p.m. The service will be available on the University’s Facebook and Youtube pages. Rev. Dr. Robin Dease, a 1992 graduate, will be the guest speaker. Dease also serves on the Claflin University Board of Trustees and is also the lead pastor for St. Andrew By The Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head and Bluffton, S.C.

Rev. Dr. Dease felt the call to ministry while a student at Claflin University majoring in elementary education. She earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Stewardship from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. In 1992, Dease joined the South Carolina Conference and was ordained an elder in 2001. She first served as pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, Johns Island (1998-2008), followed by John Wesley UMC, Greenville (2008-2012). In 2012, she became interim chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Claflin University. Dease has held a number of district and conference positions in The United Methodist Church; Chair of the Committee on District Superintendency-Charleston District, Conference Board on Ordained Ministry, District Board on Ordained Ministry-Greenville District (2008-2012), Conference Connectional Table Task Force (2012-2012), Chair of Continuing Education Covenant Groups (2008-2012) and District Study Task Force (2011-present).

Faculty News

Dr. Scott Ryan, assistant professor of religion, has been selected to participate in the Early Career Religion Faculty Teaching Undergraduates Workshop with the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion. He will travel to the Wabash Center in Crawfordsville, Ind., at the end of July for a week-long workshop with leaders and participants.

Alumni News

Michael Flowers Jr., '96, is a series regular on "Double Cross," where he plays the no-nonsense chief of police, Chief Potts. Watch "Double Cross" on AllBlk Network (operated by the AMC Networks).

Arischa Conner Frierson, '98, starred in a recent episode of "All American" on the CW network. The series is inspired by the life of professional American football player Spencer Paysinger.

Dr. Leo F. Twiggs, '56, a distinguished artist-in-residence at Claflin University, will receive the honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Wofford College on May 22, 2022, at their Commencement Exercises. Twiggs, a summa cum laude graduate of Claflin, went on to earn a master's degree from New York University where he studied with the acclaimed African American muralist, Hale Woodruff. In 1970, he became the first African American to earn a doctorate degree in art education at the University of Georgia.

Help Claflin University Raise $25,000 in One Day for Student Scholarships

Claflin University will host its United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Day of Giving Campaign on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The fundraising goal for this year’s virtual event is $25,000 to support student scholarships.

Please make your donation on April 27 using one of the following:

Go to http://alumni.claflin.edu/bbnc/uncf-giving
Givelify.com (https://giv.li/bk9s4a)
Text CUGiving to (844) 596-3403
Call (803) 535-5357

Sponsorship levels are:

Silver - $1,000
Gold - $500
Bronze - $250

You may watch the event live on Claflin's Facebook page by clicking here.

Gifts will be acknowledged during the live broadcasts on Facebook at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information, please call (803) 535-5357.

Central Savannah River Area Alumni Chapter to Host CUIAA Convention in Augusta, Georgia

The Central Savannah River Area Alumni Chapter will host the 48th Claflin University International Alumni Convention (CUIAA) on April 21-24, 2022, in Augusta, Ga. This year's planning committee is pleased to welcome attendees to Augusta where the theme for the Convention is "Feeling Good from the Garden City to the Hilltop High."

Click here to register online.