Patrice Sterling is an exceptional student. The rising junior at Bluefield State University has been selected as one of only 75 Apple/TMCF HBCU scholars (from a field of more than 2000 applicants) to receive a 12-week paid internship with Apple as a System integration engineer for their watch team. This program also included an immersion seminar in April, a mentor and mentee component, and an academic scholarship award.
Sterling has also received additional scholarships for the 2023-14 academic year–the Society of Women Engineers Scholarship and the Student Careers Studio merit-based scholarship, which provides financial assistance for underrepresented students pursuing higher education, and the Gamma Beta Phi Leadership Scholarship based on leadership development and achievement at the BSU chapter or Society’s National Executive Committee level.
Based on her academic and professional track record, Patrice was selected in the top 5% of applicants for a paid internship working with software engineers at Microsoft and Cyborg Mobile last summer.
“I am inspired by the challenge to excel in a highly competitive environment and pave the way for other students who share similar dreams,” the Bluefield State University Computer Science major explained. “It is particularly rewarding to identify and share scholarship and professional development opportunities that support underrepresented students.”
In addition to her academic achievements, Patrice is an active mentor for Passport-to-College (PTC). This non-profit organization aims to bridge the gap between low socioeconomic students in Jamaica and higher education. Through PTC, Sterling demonstrates her commitment to empowering other students from Jamaica to pursue their academic goals by enrolling at Bluefield State University.
Patrice is an active participant in student life at the University as the President of the BSU chapter of Gamma Beta Phi honor society, student representative to the Bluefield State Honors College student representative, and Secretary of the University’s International Student Organization. “By fostering a culture of inclusivity and mentorship, I can help other students realize their full potential and achieve their dreams,” she explained.
