For the sixth year, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business has revealed its 2012
recipients of the 2012 Bergeron Women in Technology Leadership Scholarship. The $1 million scholarship-mentorship program was established by Georgia State graduate Sandra and Douglas Bergeron in 2006.
The scholarship is awarded to female students that display leadership and academic excellence in Computer Information Systems (CIS).
This year’s recipients are Janani Prithviraj of Atlanta, Catrice Shaw of Atlanta, Asia Rahman of East Point, Ga., Giuliana Vela of Duluth, Ga., and Matilda Young of Brunswick, NJ.
Master’s student of Georgia State’s CIS department Prithviraj exemplifies how the Bergeron Scholarship positively impacts the lives and career plans of each recipient.
“As an international student, my knowledge of work culture and business in the US is very limited,” Prithviraj said. “And this aspect of the scholarship was what drove me to apply.”
As a child, India native Prithviraj dealt with the cultural impact of several relocations from United States to India. Prithviraj has lived in Trichy, India, Michigan, North Carolina, and Cheenai, India, where she graduated from Anna University. Prithviraj, however, utilized the potential cultural struggle as a positive experience.
“While the States taught me creativity, manners and communication skills,” said Prithviraj. “India taught me to be disciplined, diligent, and to never give excuses.”
The influences of India and the United States have cultivated Prithviraj’s business sense and work ethic, which proved beneficial by receiving the Bergeron Scholarship.
“One of the aspects that immediately grabbed my attention [to the scholarship] was the opportunity it provides to meet many business women.” said Prithviraj.
In addition to the financial benefit of the scholarship, recipients are assigned prominent women in technology as mentors. Theresa Senter, the head of digital workspace at Coca Cola, was chosen as Prithviraj’s mentor.
“I cannot be more pleased with my mentor,” said Prithviraj. “In just one meeting, she has already changed my life and I look forward to building my relationship with her.”
The Bergeron Scholarship is a prominent honor for female CIS students, and encourages further excellence and success.
Prithviraj is working towards a career in Business Analysis or Business Intelligence.
“The Bergeron scholarship has given me drive to work harder,” said Prithviraj. “All of the previous scholarship winners are now on their way to achieving their dreams. This gives me hope that I will too.”
