EM MSIPP STARS Scholars Shine at Conclusion of Internship

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (EM MSIPP) Success Through Academic Research Scholarship Scholars are pictured at the 3rd Annual DOE EM MSIPP Achievement Workshop. From left: Darian Moulden, Tyler Mends, Emmanuel Otoo, Xana Lee, Lillian Ngohuynh, Tylin Williams and Hannah Newmarker.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental ManagementMinority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (EM MSIPP) Success Through Academic Research Scholarship (STARS) Scholars have successfully concluded their first summer internship.

After spending 10 weeks at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, and Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) in Lexington, Kentucky, the scholars joined other EM MSIPP participants in Augusta, Georgia, for the 3rd Annual DOE EM MSIPP Achievement Workshop in August.

The scholars spent their internships working at their assigned EM project site offices to gain a better understanding of the mission and work of EM, and how their own interests and research can contribute to the cleanup mission. They concluded their appointments with a presentation of their assignments throughout their internships at the workshop.

The scholars will remain engaged with their sites throughout the academic year and are slated to return for a second 10-week internship next summer. Upon successfully completing their bachelor's studies, they will be eligible to apply for employment with EM or continue for an additional two years pursuing a master's degree through the EM MSIPP STARS program.

Overall, the scholars enjoyed their work at their sites, with many of them finding affirmation in their previously declared field of interest. Lillian Ngohuynh, a rising senior at the University of Texas, San Antonio, was previously undecided about pursuing a career in data science or information technology (IT) and cybersecurity but through her work with PPPO, she has decided to pursue IT & cybersecurity.

Similarly, Darian Moulden, a student at Tennessee State University, Nashville, found that her work on the power systems at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky ignited a "niche and a love for it (industrial power)."

At the conclusion of their internships, the scholars left with a renewed sense of interest in their coursework and a firm commitment to supporting the EM mission. Emmanuel Otoo, president of the Virginia Commonwealth University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, said that he plans to share his experience within the EM MSIPP STARS program with fellow chapter members and encourage them to apply to the program next year.

The EM MSIPP STARS program is part of the larger EM MSIPP, which works to build a sustainable pipeline to employment with EM for students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees at minority serving institutions.

-Contributor: Lauren Zack