India Woodson '28 was awarded the STEM Goes Red for Girls Scholarship, which, along with BW's Choose Ohio First STEM Program, has allowed her to thrive.
India Woodson '28
India Woodson '28 was one of 12 young women across Northeast Ohio to receive the Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red for Girls Scholarship due to her passion for science and desire to pursue a STEM degree.
Now a biology major at Baldwin Wallace University, Woodson's drive to pursue a STEM degree developed from a desire to give back following a life-changing experience.
Woodson's grandmother died unexpectedly 13 years ago from a heart attack, changing India's outlook on life. Her mother, Shalita Woodson, was also diagnosed with a heart condition after India's birth.
In a profile of Woodson on WOIO-TV earlier this year, her mother explained, "She wants to be able to help solve something for someone, and that's her thing. She wants to be able to give back, get somebody some closure. I love how caring she is."
Woodson wrote her scholarship essay about her intrigue for science, her journey living with a mother diagnosed with congestive heart failure and her need to help others.
The American Heart Association-affiliated STEM Goes Red for Girls scholarship judging panel found her essay compelling and awarded her one of 12 scholarships to support her dreams, which, in turn, supports their mission to help future female leaders in STEM.
Woodson stated, "The time I've spent working in STEM at BW has helped me to embody the confidence, tools, and knowledge needed to innovate and produce solutions that can improve lives and drive societal progress."
Outside academics, Woodson is well-involved in campus life as a member of the women's volleyball team and several campus clubs, such as the Black Student Alliance and Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars. She is also involved in fundraising events on campus and helping out in her church community at their hunger distribution center.
The Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars program at BW aims to help prepare students for successful careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The program just held an Innovation Summit in collaboration with BW's LaunchNET, inviting six professionals to share their journeys and stories with the students. This was just one of many networking opportunities aimed at creating pathways for STEM scholars to engage in the industry before graduation.
Woodson states that the program "helped shape my foundational knowledge at the collegiate level and further develop my personal and professional growth in preparation of a career in laboratory sciences."
After a successful first year at BW, and three more to go, Woodson's future in STEM looks bright when fueled by her drive to give back through scientific discovery and innovation.
