Tuskegee University alumna Shayla Redmond loves space, makeup, music, and her alma mater. This week, all 4 of those parts of her life converged after she won a contest hosted by iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty. Redmond, who is a space advisor and holds degrees in aerospace engineering, physics, and systems engineering never forgot what she learned in college. Get more details on how her experiences landed Tuskegee a sizable donation in this great story from Tuskegee.
Tuskegee University will receive a $30,000 donation from iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty to support students in its aerospace engineering program. Tuskegee alumna Shayla Redmond ‘11 selected Tuskegee to receive the funds after winning a social media sweepstakes hosted as part of of iHeartMedia’s “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio.”
As an extension of iHeartMedia’s “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” series held in Fall 2020, Ulta Beauty and iHeartMedia hosted a virtual sweepstakes to recognize HBCUs and its homecoming celebrations. To honor the season, iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty joined together for a month-long celebration of HBCU pride and student achievement with a social sharing challenge – encouraging HBCU students to share their at-home Homecoming style.
Redmond took to social media to share her best “at-home” Tuskegee Homecoming style and was awarded a $500 Ulta Beauty gift card, a virtual meet and greet with celebrity artist H.E.R and the opportunity to select her institution of choice as the recipient of the donation.
“It’s really important to me that this gift go to Tuskegee University’s Aerospace Science Engineering program,” said Redmond. “Given its impact on me, I am deeply honored to have graduated and now I’m helping to build upon the legacy for such a prestigious University.”
Redmond received her undergraduate degree from Tuskegee University in aerospace engineering and physics in 2011; she later went on to receive her master’s degree in systems engineering and space systems at the Air Force Institute of Technology.
An aspiring astronaut, officer in the Reserves, and mom of three, Redmond hopes this funding will inspire other women of color to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
“I am proud to enable this opportunity and expand access to aerospace and engineering research for students as a part of the Ulta Beauty and iHeartRadio’s commitment to the HBCU community,” Redmond noted.
Acting Dean for the College of Engineering Dr. Ben Oni says every dollar counts, and every dollar helps students thrive here at Tuskegee.
“We’re grateful for the funding from iHeartIMPACT and Ulta Beauty because it truly helps students in our aerospace science engineering program succeed, including those who otherwise might have difficulty accessing the resources to graduate,” said Oni. “I’ve seen students struggle, not because they’re not talented, but because they’re fighting to address challenges of finances, access to scholarships, or dealing with issues that prevent them from graduating. This funding helps eliminate some obstacles and helps further Tuskegee University’s impact in the broader engineering community.”
This scholarship, in partnership with iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty, continues to celebrate the profound impact and influence HBCUs continue to have on our country.
