Header Two
PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship Program
The Uplift Scholarship program is a partnership between Delgado Community College
and The PepsiCo Foundation to address education inequalities facing the African American
and Hispanic populations. Scholarships awarded to qualifying students help offset
tuition and other costs. The scholarship program offers academic and technical training
courses to help students complete their education and earn jobs in high-growth, high-demand
fields.
Group 2 Student Testimonials
Andronique Frank
A New Orleans native and a U.S. Navy veteran, Andronique is pursuing a new career
through Delgado Community College's Web Design Program. While her goal is to become
a web designer, she also wants to take those skills and use them for web comic creation
and video game development.
Dionne Coston
I am a 53-year-old single mom of an 18-year-old. I attended SUNO right after high
school and now Delgado Community College is my choice. I am pursuing a career in Computer
Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity and Web Design. I love
Delgado Community College. This is a great experience!
Christopher Holloway
Christopher loves playing basketball and video games when time allows. He is very
quiet yet observant, kind, and hardworking. After receiving a degree from Delgado,
he plans to enroll at Southeastern University and major in Computer Network Technology.
In the meantime, Christopher is looking for opportunities to get hands on experience
in the computer field.
Shavonna Cross
I currently work as a supply chain technician at Ochsner Medical Center. I have been
doing this for the past seven years. I decided to enroll in the logistics program
to further my career. I am a mother whose 8-year-old son also takes an interest in
logistics, so when I am doing an assignment, he's right there with me learning.
Sebastian Masion
Born in Louisiana, Sebastiain enjoys eating New Orleans cuisine as well as spending
time enjoying the bayou with friends. Currently working in IT, he loves learning about
technology and helping people. He also enjoys cooking and meeting new people.
Laaiq Shaheer
I am 19 and an early graduate of Edna Karr High School. In a world of many moving
variables, I'm a constant. I'm a person who is very motivated and passionate about
the things I do and I like to learn from people I come into contact with. I am open
to new ideas, ways of doing things, and opinions. With work I feel as if I can do
anything and be great at anything. Once I've learned a job or trained, I become proficient
at it and am fluid in its operation. l'm able to sit back and observe, and repeat
the step to be successful.
Dejah Gaulden
Dejah works as a teacher at Trinity Episcopal School. I also am currently studying
at Delgado to continue my education as a teacher and I am double majoring in Computer
Information Technology with a concentration in Information Assurance. My hobbies are
reading comic books and I love movies, especially ones with zombies!
Darlene Hunter
I am 61 years old and a native of New Orleans, born and raised. I graduated from Alcee
Fortier Senior High School in 1978. I then attended Southern University here in New
Orleans for a while, but unfortunately I did not graduate. I have three kids--two
sons and a daughter. I have five grand kids that I enjoy spending time with. I used
to run track for Harrell Park. I love football and baseball. I can pretty much do
anything I put my heart in. I love to cook, sew, and work in my garden. I have been
working at UPS for almost 15 years. I wanted to educate myself more for my job, so
here I am majoring in Management Logistics. Hopefully I'll be
graduating soon.
Latoyia Lewis
Born and raised in New Orleans, Latoyia graduated from Frederick A. Douglass High
School and is now currently a student enrolled at Delgado Community College pursuing
a Certificate of Technical Studies. In her studies, Latoyia is focusing on gaining
and perfecting core skills and knowledge necessary for a career in web design and
development. Latoyia has one son and a grandson. She is a long-term employee of Tulane
Medical Center and a highly motivated and dedicated employee to any job or assignment
her name is attached to. Latoyia's hobbies include frequent flights, family time,
and walks in the park.
Raven Sipp
I am 25 years old and persuing a college education. I grew up in Houma, Louisiana
with my single mother. I have been in college since I was 18 years old. At first I
did not have a clue of what I wanted to do, but since I came to Delgado, I got a clear
idea of why I like computers. There are times where I want to give up, but I know
I need to keep pushing myself if I want to do better. After I get my associate degree
at Delgado , I would like to get a bachelor's in computer science. I want to push
myself as much as I can. I would like to thank Delgado so much for this opportunity.
Dylon Cassine
I am 23 years old and studying Computer Information Technology with a concentration
in Information Security. I was born in New Orleans and I'm an only child. I come from
a very close-knit family. My mom, dad, grandmother, and my aunt all had a part in
raising me. My family means everything to me. I am here right now because I want to
make them proud of me. I wish my grandmother and my dad could see the man I have become.
I am an avid basketball and football fan. My favorite teams in both sports are the
New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. I also enjoy gaming. My long-term goals are to graduate
college, get a well-paying job, and maybe get married. I also want to improve myself
as a person. I try to treat people the way I want to be treated.
Robert Burton
I am native of New Orleans. My alma mater is L.E. Rabouin High School. I am a father
of three—two kings and one princess. My major is computer science with a concentration
in information security at Delgado Community College. I am currently self-employed
as co-owner of Elite Signs and owner of Complete Network and Tech Solutions. My personal
goal is to be the first male to graduate from college in my family. I am currently
living my professional goal. I plan to grow and become more knowledgeable as I utilize
skills I've learned in college to help grow rny current businesses and hopefully give
me an entry level position in the IT field upon graduating.
Collin Hernandez
I was born in Georgia and have been living in New Orleans all my life. I am a 2018
graduate of Helen Cox High School. Since then I've done various amounts of things
from picking up my hobby of skateboarding and apprenticeship woodworking. Some of
my goals are to graduate and start a business. I am excited to be a part of the PepsiCo
Foundation Uplift Scholarship Program.
Kellie Dauphiney
Kellie is a New Iberia, Louisiana native currently seeking her associate degree at
Delgado Community College in business management with a concentration in logistics.
She obtained her Associate of Applied Science degree from South Louisiana Community
College in diesel powered equipment technology. Kellie is a devoted mother to her
son, an active volunteer within her church and community, and a member of the National
Society of Leadership and Success and Phi Theta Kappa national honor society. In her
down time, Kellie enjoys playing flag football, soccer, softball, traveling, and spending
time with family and friends.
Enjoyli Brooks
I am 42 years old and a mother of three. I've been employed at Home Depot for 22 years.
I enrolled at Delgado in the logistics program. I enjoy reading, traveling, and cooking.
Monterial Wise
I am a 27-year-old born and raised New Orleans native and father of two (a daughter
and a son) with a thirst for knowledge and opportunity. Even at a young age growing
up in a single-parent household in uptown New Orleans, I knew there had to be more
to life than what I was experiencing, and I always had a love and interest for computers.
To this end, I joined the Louisiana National Guard at the age of 17, shortly after
the birth of my first child. After eight years of enlistment, I decided to use my
military benefits to pursue my passion. I enrolled at Delgado Community College in
the information assurance program specializing in cybersecurity. I will then pursue
my bachelor's in computer science at LSU. My interest in technology began at the age
of six. I spent countless hours on my mother's old Dell computer running WindowsXP,
a rare opportunity for an African American kid in the 90s. Upon realizing how vulnerable
these systems were in my early teens, I realized the two most precious things to users
are privacy and personal data. For these reasons, I decided pursuing cyber security
would be the perfect opportunity to work in a field where I am passionate about the
work and get a sense of fulfillment by knowing I am helping others.
Kelly Price
I am a housewife, mother, grandmother, Sunday school teacher, customer service rep
and a retired logistics management specialist with more than 20 years of experience
in military logistics management. I have worked in combat supply support for maintenance,
material control, demand processing, pick up and delivery, equipment management, retail
sales, receiving, stock control, weapons management, mobility management, inventory
management, storage and issue, transportation, project management, budget projection,
scheduling, and document control. I have excellent analytical and problem solving
skills learned while serving in the Air Force. I have worked as a customer support
analyst on the Space and Warfare Systems Center Helpdesk for more than nine years
and as a supervisor with more than two years experience as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 Customer
Support Analyst on the Marine Corp Global Supply Support Helpdesk. There has been
a seven year gap since I have worked for the government or in the logistics field.
So, I decided to dust off the cobwebs of life and slowly ease myself back into supply
by applying for admission at Delgado and taking the logistics course. My goal is to
gain my certification then attain a bachelor's, possibly a master's and Ph.D., in
logistics and to gain more experience and knowledge in supply regarding the civilian
sector and focus on transportation management, supply chain management from a logistics
operations and business ownership standpoint. I figure, I'm still alive and I don't
want to have any regrets personally nor professionally. I might as well work in a
career field I love rather than continuing to work in career fields that don't bring
me joy, peace, or satisfaction. I am willing and eager to learn new technologies that
will improve my skills and desire to get the right product, at the right quantity,
in the right condition, to the right place at the right time, to the right customer
at the right price.
Rene Harden
I am 23 years old, born and raised in New Orleans. This is my first time seeking a
degree from Delgado. However, I've been enrolled as a dual enrollment student while
in high school at Warren Easton. I attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
commencing in the Fall 2019. Since returning home, I've re-enrolled at Delgado to
further my education. It has been a match made in heaven. Everyone—my instructors,
advisors, college coaches and the Financial Aid Office—has made sure I have what I
need to be a successful student. I plan to use all knowledge gained from this program
to be a well-rounded individual, to build and prosper, and to serve the community
and to help sustain and grow it just as it has helped me over the years.
Chelsea Lee
I am an graduate of the University of New Orleans and currently a student at Delgado
Community College. At UNO, I received a bachelor's degree in studio art (with a digital
design concentration), and right now, I'm working to get certified in web design.
While I was attending UNO, I was introduced to UX (user experience) design. Recently,
I got accepted to a game camp hosted by Xbox, which will give me the opportunity to
expand my knowledge on UX research. My goal is to become a UX engineer, because not
only I use my digital design skills, but I can also use my front-end developing skills.
I am also open to web designing or a front-end developing opportunities.
Rani Ally
I'm 23 years old and a graduate of Science and Mathematics High. I love to have fun
and spend time with family and friends. My goal for school is to get my degree in
computer science and then hopefully get a job in my field. I want to go into graphic
design and make websites for people. I am currently working on two websites and would
like to have more clients in the future.
Melvin Dobard
I was born in 1991 in New Orleans to Linda Dobard, a single hard-working mother of four. I attended Oretha Castle Haley Elementary school before moving to Atlanta because of hurricane Katrina. Upon returning to New Orleans post-Katrina, I attended high school. After graduating high school and having my own kids, I realized life was no longer about me but leading by example for my kids and teaching them knowledge is power. Getting my degree helps make that transition much easier.