![(L-r) Yassin Alallaq, a senior Aviation major, and Aaliyah Robinson, a junior Biological Sciences major, have been named as 2024 HBCU Scholars by the White House Initiative on HBCUs.](https://www.desu.edu/sites/hub/files/news/15352/image/2024whitehousescholars.jpg)
White House initiative names two DSU students as HBCU scholars
Two Delaware State University undergraduates – Aaliyah Robinson and Yassin Alallaq – have been named among 110 outstanding students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities selected in the 2024 cohort of HBCU Scholars.
The cohort – representing 77 HBCUs across the country – have been selected for the exceptional academic excellence achievements, leadership potential, and dedication to their communities.
Aaliyah Robinson is a junior Biological Sciences major with a focus on Health Professions from Woodbury, N.J. While maintaining a 3.1 GPA, Ms. Robinson serves as the President of DSU’s Chapter of the National Council of Women, as a Residential Assistant and Peer Mentor. She has been participant in DSU’s Neuroscience Research Program and the Undergraduate Research Intensive for Student Enhancement Scholars Program, and she won First Place in the 2023 DSU Summer Research Symposium.
Yassin Alallaq is a senior Aviation Management major who also is minoring in Business Administration. A 3.5 student from Arlington, Va., Mr. Alallaq is a dedicated member of the DSU Aviation Flight Team and serves as the Vice President of the DSU Muslim Student Association. His aviation academic pursuits have been augmented by his internship in the aeronautics consultant field and as an Officer Trainee in the U.S. Coast Guard’s College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative.
“I am immensely proud of our White House HBCU Scholars, Aaliyah Robinson and Yassin Alallaq, for their steadfast dedication to excellence and inspiring leadership in uplifting the Delaware State University campus community,” said DSU President Tony Allen. “They embody the true spirit of a Hornet, carrying forward our rich history and unwavering commitment to excellence in all they do. Their HBCU Scholars’ roles as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are a testament to their personal and professional achievements. I am confident they will represent DSU with distinction in this program.”
HBCU Scholars will also be invited to the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, held on September 15-19, 2024in Philadelphia, PA. This year’s conference themes are, “Raising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet.” During the conference, HBCU Scholars will participate in conference sessions designed to engage a spirit of innovation, leadership, and personal and professional development. Most importantly, HBCU Scholars will have opportunities to engage with one another, initiative staff, and partners to further showcase their individual and collective talent.
“I am delighted to announce the 2024-2025 HBCU Scholars representing 77 of our nations HBCUs. These students exemplify the excellence and leadership that is characteristic of the HBCU community,” said Executive Director of White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges, and Universities Dietra Trent. “I anticipate and look forward to our partnership over the next academic school year.”
Following the conference HBCU Scholars will be invited to participate in programs, event and monthly master classes designed to enhance HBCU Scholars professional development and create greater access to post-graduation opportunities within non-profit, business, and federal agency partners to help ensure that as a nation we remain globally competitive.