Stillman College Students Named White House HBCU Scholars

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Stillman College announced on Tuesday that the White House has selected two of its students to its 2021 HBCU Scholars Initiative.

Kennedy-MyCal Davis, a junior business administration major from Prichard, and Roulan Abunahla, a junior business administration major from Palestine, West Bank Gaza, were among the nine students selected from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Alabama.

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Davis’ campus engagement has increased since her freshman year, from serving as sophomore and junior president, and senate president twice in Stillman’s Student Government Association, to serving as a teacher’s assistant in the school's cybersecurity program.

“I wasn’t expecting an opportunity like this when I came to Stillman,” Abunahla said. “I never thought I’d have a chance to be part of a program like this.”

Over the last two years, Stillman had only one HBCU Scholar, but Stillman President Cynthia Warrick said the college’s increased presence in the HBCU Scholars Initiative this year demonstrates “the competitiveness of our students for this national honor by the White House.”

The objectives for the Initiative align perfectly with the goals both Davis and Abunahla have for themselves and their classmates at Stillman College. For instance, Davis is a member of the first cohort of the President’s Cyber Corps and is keen to help grow Stillman’s cyber initiative.

“Stillman notices when its students are motivated and involved, and they work with you to help reach your goals,” Davis said. “You can’t say that about a lot of schools. For instance, I know Dr. Warrick on a personal level. So even though I was surprised when I was nominated and later selected, it feels really good to be recognized for your dedication.”

Abunahla enrolled at Stillman through the Amideast program, a non-profit organization that bridges students from the Middle East with colleges and universities in the United States.

“It did take a while to adjust to the new environment and to get to know people,” Abunahla said. “And, just as I was starting to get involved and beginning to make friends, COVID happened. So I’m excited about making more connections this year.”

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