HBCU-Bound Local Twins Pursue STEM Studies with the Help of ComEd’s Future of Energy Scholarship
June 13, 2023
Going into their sophomore year of college at North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T), one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), twins Kamaal and Aliyah Muhammad will have the relief of having a portion of their college tuition covered by ComEd’s Future of Energy (FOE) Scholarship and the opportunity to complete a summer internship at ComEd.
“I’m beyond grateful for this scholarship and the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience through my summer internship at ComEd,” said Aliyah. “Both my brother and I were awarded, so it not only takes some of the financial burden off of my mom of sending twins to college, but it lets us know that hard work pays off and that you really can do anything that you set your mind to.”
Aliyah and Kamaal are part of the latest cohort of ComEd’s Future of Energy Scholarship program – which just awarded $247,500 to 47 local students to help them pursue college studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). With as many as 150,000 new jobs coming to Illinois by 2050 to support the clean energy transition, the scholarship fund supports ComEd’s work in establishing a qualified talent pipeline that’s prepared to modernize the grid.
“At ComEd, we know that today’s youth will play a critical role in addressing tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities,” said Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd. “Through the Future of Energy Scholarship, ComEd is expanding equitable opportunities for our youth, so that more women and persons of color can be a part of the exciting work to modernize the grid and create a cleaner, brighter future for our communities.”
Both Kamaal and Aliyah learned early on the true value of an education. Inspired by their mother’s hard work and sacrifice, the twins roamed the halls of Homewood-Flossmoor High School laser-focused on their academic studies and extracurricular activities to fulfill their vision of a better life for their family.
Although Aliyah participated in the honors society and student government and lent her musical talent to a small choir called Inspirational Voices, it was an Intro to Business class that made her realize her passion for business and finance. Fascinated by how these concepts influence decision-making in an increasingly high-tech world, Aliyah set her eyes on a degree in Business Administration & Management. With the knowledge and experience she’ll gain from her internship at ComEd, she hopes to help ensure that everyone can access efficient and affordable electricity.
Drawn by one of the best STEM programs in the country, Kamaal chose to attend N.C. A&T with his sister to pursue a degree in Computer Science.
“I’ve been curious about technology ever since I was little,” said Kamaal. “But it was my participation in a middle school robotics and coding camp that really piqued my interest in STEM. It wasn’t until I learned about the job opportunities and financial security that STEM could offer that I set higher goals for myself.”
Motivated by their mother’s immense efforts to ensure they had every opportunity for a better future, Kamaal hopes to combine his passions for helping others, coding, and web design to make a difference in people’s lives using technology.
The Muhammad twins actively work to be the change they want to see in the STEM field. Aliyah and Kamaal want to help bridge the gap in STEM education and career opportunities for women and people of color by becoming part of the young, diverse, and qualified talent pipeline in the energy and tech field. They also aim to make a positive impact in their communities through the power of STEM.
College-bound and undergraduate students interested in pursuing a degree in STEM can find more information about ComEd’s Future of Energy Scholarship and other ComEd STEM and education programs here.
