NCCU Students Named White House HBCU Scholars

For two North Carolina Central University students, achieving academic success is just the beginning of their journey to impact the world. NCCU rising senior Lyndon Bowen and graduate student Angela Adkins have been honored by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities as 2019 HBCU Competitiveness Scholars.

The pair are among 44 undergraduate, graduate and professional students selected nationally from 34 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) based on high achievement in academics, campus involvement, entrepreneurial ethos and civic engagement.

“Being appointed is a distinguished honor and surreal experience,” said Adkins, who is serving as an intern this summer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Office of Civil Rights.

After earning her master’s degree, Adkins intends to work in the field of human capital management, a facet of human resources.

“NCCU has provided me with critical skills necessary for success,” she said. 

Bowen is spending his summer as a technology intern for Johnson & Johnson. He has previously interned with Eli Lily and Company, Duke University Press, Spoke Hub and Duke University’s Office of Information Technology. He plans to work as an information technology specialist after graduation.

Adkins and Bowen will receive their awards Sept. 8-11 at the Excellence in Innovation and Competitiveness Awards ceremony as part of the White House HBCU Week Conference in Washington, D.C. While there, they will participate in workshops designed to strengthen their leadership skills, financial knowledge, and commitment to civic engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Over the course of the upcoming academic next year, the two are expected to bring this knowledge back to NCCU, where they will facilitate engagement activities and act as a resource for fellow students.

Adkins, a master’s candidate in public administration from Miami, Fla., earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from North Carolina A&T State University before enrolling in NCCU in 2018.

A member of the Graduate Student Association, she is planning to conduct workshops at NCCU on principles of writing in an effort to assist students applying for scholarships and awards.

Bowen has been active on campus at NCCU, participating in the University Honors Program, the university debate team, the Google Community Leaders Program and as Beta Gama Sigma Honor Society’s vice president for membership.

“It brings me immense pride to have such an opportunity to represent my institution and community on a global platform,” Bowen said.

A native of Pollocksville, N.C., he has served the NCCU community through his work as an intern for Information Technology Services and the Fabrication Lab. Most recently, he participated in the HBCUvc Venture Capital Fellowship, which provides minority students opportunities to learn about investment fundamentals and entrepreneurship. 

As a HBCU Competitiveness Scholar, Bowen said he will work to enhance the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship on NCCU’s campus.