In spring of 2021 Indiana-based company Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives (IEA) donated $20,000 to UAB for engineering scholarships. This fall, those funds were distributed to five students as part of a nationwide effort by IEA to create a pipeline of engineers that will help diversify the engineering workforce.

“I am very excited to see this generous gift in the hands of these students,” said UAB School of Engineering Dean Jeff Holmes, M.D., Ph.D. “IEA’s long-term vision for increasing diversity in the engineering workforce aligns perfectly with UAB Engineering’s mission. Their scholarship has already served as a model for other donors who share our diversity goals. But seeing the immediate impact in the lives of individual students is especially meaningful , and we are grateful to IEA for their support of our students.”

2021 IEA Scholarship Recipients

Le’Aundra Baker

Hometown: Midfield, AL

Major: Civil Engineering

“The IEA scholarship means opportunity. Opportunity for me to further my education. Opportunity to grow as a person and expand my horizon. Opportunity to network and connect with people that have the same end goal as me. This scholarship has brought me one step closer to my future, so I am very appreciative and thankful for IEA’s effort to diversify the engineering world by providing  scholarships and internship opportunities to students.”

Kenneth Clay

Hometown: Trussville, AL

Major: Electrical Engineering 

“The scholarship allows me to focus on my school work without the added stress of financial burdens. It is great that the scholarship is aimed towards diversity!”

Isabelle Dubon

Hometown: Fairhope, AL

Major: Civil Engineering

“When I found out I won the IEA scholarship it honestly felt like a weight was off my shoulders. Not having to worry about working a nearly full-time job while trying to manage classes and bills was something I didn’t think I’d have the luxury of experiencing. Now with the scholarship I have been able to focus more on my classes and getting the academic help I need without trying to work around a job and school schedule.”

Jada Stringer

Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama

Major: Civil Engineering

“Receiving this scholarship benefits my educational experience tremendously. I am able to dedicate my time towards focusing more on my studies and less on the financial stress of attending college. I come from a single parent, low-income household, and from our financial hardships, I have learned the value of perseverance and appreciation, which fuels my determination to be successful in my career path. Not only will this scholarship prevent me from accumulating exorbitant debt but also it will bring me several steps closer to my envisioned future as a Civil Engineer.”

Devin Williams

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering

“I really wasn’t that aware of IEA before, but once I was selected to be a part of their scholarship program, I learned that the company specializes in energy and heavy civil expertise. This company is important to me because it has given me the allowance to go to school and not have to worry about huge loans.”