Eliza Dizon Wins JnJ Scholarship for her Senior Year at Virginia State University

Eliza Dizon

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to announce that Johnson & Johnson awarded a $2,500 college scholarship to eight (8) students. One of those students is Virginia State University senior Eliza Dizon. Eliza is currently a Business Management Information Systems Major and Cyber Security and Forensics Minor who plans to graduate next year.

We now live in a world that is more connected than ever before. The Internet touches almost all aspects of everyone’s daily life, whether we realize it or not. Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity to our nation, President Obama designated October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. It is appropriate that Eliza wins this scholarship because she plans to use her technical skills gained at VSU when she joins the military after graduation.

"There are few BDPA members at my university, so the best times I have had are trying to recruit other members through my testimony. Being a member of BDPA has given me the opportunity to network with current IT professionals thus feeling more comfortable with adjusting from the classroom to the workforce," said Eliza. "By awarding me this Scholarship Award, you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me."

Eliza is a member of our BDPA Richmond chapter. We encourage our readers to take a moment to make a secure donation in support of the BDPA Richmond scholarship program.

Message from BDPA Richmond Chapter President

Members and Friends,

Christopher Parker

Last week we had the awesome opportunity to host 'BDPA Day' on the Virginia State University (VSU) campus. We had the honor and pleasure of talking to management information systems majors and others about the benefits of being a part of a professional organization. Also, we shared how BDPA Richmond plans to work with VSU and the students to have a strong chapter presence in the fall semester. Finally, we talked about the ways that our BDPA programs can help prepare them to succeed in their future careers.

BDPA handed out organizational information before hosting a discussion with a panel of Richmond-area Information Technology professionals, including past National BDPA vice president Allison Aheart. Eleven VSU students were able to ask questions about the industry and learn from our experiences. BDPA Richmond chapter used 'BDPA Day' to strengthen our bonds with the VSU faculty ... including a new relationship with the VSU director of corporate relations. It helps that the VSU chief information officer, Hubert Harris, is a past BDPA Richmond chapter president!

BDPA will continue to help the VSU students travel from 'the classroom to the boardroom'. It is part of our ongoing mission to deliver programs for adults, high school students, middle school students and elementary schools students in a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas. VSU 'BDPA Day' was a reminder of how each of us has the wonderful privilege to impact someone else in a positive manner solely through the gift of time.

Please contact me to learn more about our fundraiser to help support the purchase of college student memberships in BDPA. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Christopher Parker, president
BDPA Richmond Chapter