LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The AIAS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, today awarded eleven women students for its first round of WomenIn scholarships. Students across the country were awarded for the 2016-2017 academic school year to pursue video-game related careers at accredited four-year college and universities. Each student received $2,500 to advance their academic career and an opportunity to attend the 2017 D.I.C.E. Summit through the Foundation’s mentor program.
"These eleven AIAS Foundation WomenIn scholars are great examples of how and by whom the games industry will continue to grow and diversify in the future," said Don Daglow, President, AIAS Foundation. "We are proud to support their education, and to welcome them to the 2017 D.I.C.E. Conference and pair them with experienced industry mentors."
Established in 2016, these scholarships seek to support inclusion of more women in the interactive entertainment industry supported by a year-long mentorship program with a gaming industry professional. Winners were evaluated by the AIAS Foundation Scholarship Committee based on their GPA, financial need, letters of recommendation and willingness to create change for the games industry.
The scholarship winners for the 2016-2017 academic school year include:
- Sydney Adams, studying English at Stony Brook University
- Stephanie Chen, studying Computer Science at Columbia University
- Martha Monica, studying Computer Science (Game Development) at University of Southern California
- Sarah Belhumeur, studying Digital Media at Maine College of Art
- Franzi Wischmann, studying Film and Media Arts at University of Utah
- Sydnie Ritchie, studying Entertainment Arts and Engineering at Brigham Young University
- Maya DeJesus, studying Creative Arts and Technology (Game Development) at Bloomfield College
- Allison Cole, studying Game Design at New York University
- Jing Shu, studying Entertainment Technology at Carnegie Mellon University
- Ciarra Matthews, studying Design at University of California, Davis
- Rachel Hwang, studying Computer Graphics and Game Technology at the University of Pennsylvania
The AIAS Foundation’s Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont scholarships will open in Spring 2017. Submission forms will be available at www.aiasfoundation.org.
