MBU In the News: Dec. 2022

A selection of the latest news stories and media mentions featuring the #MBUfamily — including alumni, faculty, staff, and students.

13-year-old Nigerian IT genius to attend Mary Baldwin

The 13-year-old Nigerian-born Emmanuella Mayaki has set a new record as one of the youngest persons to be accepted into a university in the United States.

She’s been admitted into Mary Baldwin’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) where she hopes to study computer science.

Mayaki won national attention after founding CodeKid an information and communications technology academy dedicated to closing digital literacy gaps for Nigerian girls — at age 11. 

Read more about her incredible journey to MBU in The Guardian. 

 

 

MBU partners with financial literacy nonprofit Goalsetter Foundation and Citizens Bank to help close wealth gaps among young people of color

The partnership with MBU and Citizens marks the first foray into higher education for Goalsetter, which has previously focused on high schoolers and was included in Fast Company’s 2022 “Brands That Matter” list.

As an expansion of Goalsetter’s national Share the Future campaign, the program will give 500 Mary Baldwin students one share of Citizens stock each and free access to Goalsetter’s award-winning platform and financial education content.

Special follow-up sessions with MBU counselors will provide additional educational opportunities.

Read more in the Staunton News Leader. 

Heifetz International Music Institute and Mary Baldwin extend agreement

Mary Baldwin University has extended its agreement to host Heifetz International Music Institute’s world-renowned intensive youth summer music program and Festival of Concerts series through at least 2027.

“We are thrilled to continue to support this unique, internationally recognized program that brings world-class musicians to study and perform on our beautiful campus, and in our beautiful city,” said MBU President Pamela R. Fox, who worked with Heifetz to forge the landmark partnership in 2011.

Learn more in this yahoo!sports story.

MBU volleyball coach volunteers for regional high school all-star game

MBU volleyball head coach Jody Lohr recently served as volunteer coach for an inaugural regionwide high school all-star volleyball game in Harrisonburg.

The competition showcased some of the most talented players from across the Shenandoah Valley and state.

“We wanted to give [area high school] seniors a fun way to close out their competitive season,” said Lohr. “Many players don’t get that chance, so it was something we could all agree was interesting and would be valued by local fans and athletes alike.”

Read more in the Daily News Record.

Shakespeare and Performance alum directs play for the Berkshire Theatre Group

Stori Ayers ’09 recently guest-directed a new contemporary play, The Things I Cannot Change, for the Massachusetts-based Berkshire Theatre Group.

The play was penned by Dramatist Guild Foundation Traveling Master and Sundance fellow, Pia Wilson, and explores the intersection of the lives of two women as they seek to cope with personal trauma. 

Ayers has taught at the New York Film Academy and acted in numerous films, plays, and TV shows — including writer/director/producer Jordan Peele’s hit 2018 series, The Last O.G.

Read more about Ayers and the play HERE.       

Have news or achievements you’d like to share with the #MBUfamily? Email us, we’d love to hear from you!