15 Freshmen Named To Apple Pre-Ed Scholars Program
AUSTIN, Texas – Huston-Tillotson University today announced the 15 high school graduates who will make up the 2021-2022 cohort of Pre-Ed Scholars as part of the school’s 100 African American Male Teacher Initiative.
The program is designed to inspire more Black men to pursue teaching. As HT continues its pledge to produce 100 Black male teachers, this second class of scholars moves Huston-Tillotson University toward achieving this goal. Currently, only 2% of K-12 teachers in the United States are Black men.
With support from Apple, Huston-Tillotson University’s 100 African American Male Teacher Initiative provides support to high-achieving HT freshmen who intend to pursue a career in Education. Teaching career fields include the following majors: English, History, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Music and Science with an Education minor.
“Our pledge towards racial justice by increasing the number of Black males in P-12 education will make a huge impact to student achievement,” said Dr. Jennifer Miles, Huston-Tillotson’s Director of the Center for Academic Innovation & Transformation and Interim Director of the Center for Academic Excellence. “The African American Male Teacher Initiative, the only program of its kind within all 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), supports the holistic development of future Black male teachers. From ongoing professional development to hands-on digital training with state-of-the-art devices to learning app development in an effort to advance a 22nd century approach to learning, HT is dedicated to the success of this program, and we’re proud to partner with Apple to bring this opportunity to our students.”
The following scholars were named to this year’s program:
Desmond Beazer: Lake Highlands High School, Dallas; Mathematics major; Career Aspirations: to become an educator and community leader
Lamont Defroe: Eastside Memorial High School, Austin, Texas; Kinesiology/Biology major; Career Aspirations: to own a business
Davonta Gardner: Crowley High School, Crowley, Texas; Early Childhood Education major / Kinesiology minor; Career Aspirations: to own a business
Ajani Graham: Westwood High School, Austin, Texas; Music Education major; Career Aspirations: to become a music educator
Dylan Jenkins: Round Rock High School, Austin, Texas; Education major; Career Aspirations: to become a teacher and realtor
William Hicks III: Manor Early College High School, Manor, Texas; Education major; Career Aspirations: to teach and become a coach
Nicholas McDermott: Kashmere High School, Houston; Education major; Career Aspirations: to become a technology teacher
Devin Pineda: Lake Highlands High School, Dallas, Texas; History Education major; Career Aspirations: to be a leader in the field of education
Jadon Porter: Beaumont High School, Beaumont, Texas; Music Education major; Career Aspirations: to become a composer and director
Tarrynce Robinson: South Early College High School, Houston; History Education major / Communications minor; Career Aspirations: to become a journalism or multi-media teacher
Jaylen Spence: Del Valle High School, Austin, Texas; Kinesiology major: Career Aspirations: to become an educator
Javier Tomlin: C.E. Ellison High School, Killeen, Texas; Education major; Career Aspirations: to make education fun and easy to learn
Nathan Wallace: Texas Empowerment Academy, Austin, Texas; Music Education major; Career Aspirations: to create and teach others to create
Kameron Wilson: Cypress Springs High School, Cypress, Texas; Math Education major; Career Aspirations: to become a math teacher/civil engineer
Telly Wright: Hazelwood Central High School, Florissant, Mo.; Secondary Education major; Career Aspirations: to become high school teacher and/or counselor and coach
Scholars are selected on basis of financial need, academic performance, demonstration of leadership, commitment to service, and dedication to pursuing a career in the Education field. Total award will cover all tuition, feeds, and room and board for an academic year. Scholarships are eligible for max three-year renewal, dependent on meeting scholarship requirements, persistence towards graduation, demonstrated financial need, and availability of funding.
About Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University, the oldest institution of higher learning in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. HT is an independent, church-related, historically black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-line campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission is to nurture a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study.
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