Houston Community College’s Nicole Jackson Selected as AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassador

Source and Photo courtesy of HCC

Houston — Houston Community College (HCC) is proud to announce that Nicole Jackson, our HCC Northeast College Entrepreneur in Residence, has been selected as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IF/THEN® Ambassador. IF/THEN®, a national initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, seeks to further women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers.

“We firmly believe that IF we support a woman in STEM, THEN she can change the world,” said Lyda Hill, founder of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. “We’re thrilled that Nicole has been chosen as an AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassador and know that she will be a tremendous asset to the IF/THEN® Initiative.”

“There is no doubt that science is the answer to solve many of our country’s most challenging issues and we need all of our nation’s critical thinkers addressing these issues,” said Nicole Small, president and CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. “Women make up nearly half of our population yet only a fraction are entering STEM-related fields. This is why we’ve committed more than $25 million to ensure that women like Nicole are empowered to change the world and serve as high-profile role models for the next generation of STEM pioneers.”

The goal of the IF/THEN® Initiative is to shift the way our country—and the world—think about women in STEM and this requires changing the narratives about women STEM professionals and improving their visibility. To successfully change the culture and inspire more girls to consider STEM careers, IF/THEN® has developed an ambitious game plan, crucial to empowering a sustainable movement, with four key elements: IF/THEN® Ambassadors, IF/THEN® Coalition, IF/THEN® Collection and IF/THEN® Grants. For more information, visit www.ifthenshecan.org.

IF/THEN® is proud to recognize talented women STEM professionals across a variety of industries as IF/THEN® Ambassadors who will serve as high-profile role models for middle school girls. In partnership with AAAS, IF/THEN® created the AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors Program that brings together 100+ of these innovators for specialized media and communications training. Using a talent agency model, IF/THEN® will support the Ambassadors and their inspiring work by showcasing them on a national platform.

“We are pleased to share that Nicole Jackson has been chosen as an AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassador,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, chancellor of Houston Community College (HCC). “Nicole will apply her background to modernize HCC technology, STEM outreach, and the HCC student experience while making a critical impact on our community of scholars.”

“Throughout her tenure at HCC, Nicole has been a leader in her field and helped HCC to achieve our mission to provide students with an educational experience that is relevant, effective, and engaging,” said Dr. Monique Umphrey, president of HCC’s Northeast College. “We are so proud of her impressive work, and especially proud that she has received prestigious recognition as an AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassador.”

Nicole Jackson is the Director of Technical Strategy and works alongside the CIO on high impact projects, manages strategic initiatives for profitability, revenue growth and efficiencies; identifies, tracks and reports metrics that measure the successful implementation of strategic initiatives, identifies and mitigates technological gaps or issues that could impact the success of the company, creates and implements training guidelines for technical leaders and individual contributors related to processes necessary to effectually ideate, build, and iterate within IT to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving, complex Health IT landscape.

Nicole brought her experience as a manager and leader within the startup environment to Duet Health and MedData more than three years ago and has since helped to modernize and streamline technical product management, process engineering, and software delivery strategies by actively applying her education in Creativity and Innovation with Drexel University to the science of computer software engineering and product management.

An active community mentor throughout Columbus, Ohio; Nicole Jackson is has recently relocated to Houston, Texas to assume a new role as the Executive in Residence at Houston Community College Northeast Branch where she will apply her background to modernize the HCC technology, STEM outreach, and the HCC student experience.

AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors were selected through a rigorous selection process. Candidates were evaluated for overall excellence with a focus on the following:

• Contributions to their STEM-related field, commensurate with their career stage
• Demonstrated experience and abilities in STEM communication and public engagement via media, classroom, and public programs
• Commitment to inspiring middle school girls to be the next generation of STEM pioneers

For a complete list of Ambassadors, go to www.ifthenshecan.org/ambassadors.

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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