Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business Announces 2012 Bergeron Scholarship Recipients

Scholarships, Mentorships Awarded to Five Women Who Have Demonstrated Potential for Leadership in Technology

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business today announced the recipients of the 2012 Bergeron Women in Technology Leadership Scholarship. Initiated in 2006 with $1.5 million in total funding, GSU’s Bergeron Scholars program has already benefitted 30 women, several of whom have graduated and begun their careers.

“With the support of Sandra and Doug Bergeron, the Bergeron Scholars program at the Robinson College is preparing high-potential young women for leadership positions in the technology industry”

This is the sixth year in which the scholarship has been awarded to GSU female undergraduate or graduate students in Robinson’s computer information systems program who have demonstrated high potential for leadership careers in technology.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Janani Prithviraj of Atlanta, candidate for Master of Science in Information Systems. Ms. Prithviraj is a native of India and a graduate of Anna University in Chennai. During her undergraduate studies, she interned with Mahindra Satyam, one of India’s largest IT firms.
• Asia Rahman, currently of East Point, Ga., and formerly of the Bronx, New York. Ms. Rahman is a graduate of Atlanta Technical College and is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in computer information systems.
• Catrice Shaw, currently of Atlanta, and formerly of Clarksdale, Miss. Ms. Shaw is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in computer information systems. She is a graduate of the Center of Industry and Technology (C.I.T.) in Atlanta and currently works as a solutions engagement supervisor with UPS.
• Giuliana Vela, a resident of Duluth, Ga. Ms. Vela, a native of Peru, is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in computer information systems. She previously attained a graphic designer associate degree at the National University of San Agustin, Arequipa, Peru, and an associate degree in computer programming at Gwinnett Technical College.
• Matilda Young of New Brunswick, N.J., currently residing in Kennesaw, Ga. A senior pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in computer information systems, Ms. Young is employed at First Data Merchant Services and works part-time with the human resources and operations support team at Macy’s in Atlanta.

The Bergeron Scholarship program rewards significant academic achievement and is the largest dollar award available to students in Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business. The program is funded with an endowment from Sandra and Douglas G. Bergeron and expanded this year to the University of California, Berkeley.

“We’re very proud of the success of the Robinson College program and of the young women leaders of tomorrow who have participated," said Sandra Bergeron, a graduate of Robinson’s computer information systems program. “As in the past, this year’s winners will benefit from professional mentoring and financial assistance that will help them achieve their goals.”

Robinson’s Department of Computer Information Systems is ranked in the top 10 for both undergraduate and graduate offerings in U.S. News & World Report's annual listings of the nation’s best colleges and best graduate schools.

"With the support of Sandra and Doug Bergeron, the Bergeron Scholars program at the Robinson College is preparing high-potential young women for leadership positions in the technology industry,” said Dean H. Fenwick Huss.

“Mentoring is such a critical element in the development of strong leaders. Atlanta-based Women in Technology (WIT) supports the Bergeron Scholars by pairing them with female technology executives who serve on WIT’s board of directors,” WIT’s executive director Stephanie Hill commented. “Our board members remain committed to doing their part to ensure the successful launch of these ladies into the business arena, which is a win for Georgia’s technology community.”

Sandra Bergeron is one of the most highly regarded female technology leaders in Silicon Valley. She is a venture partner with Trident Capital, and a director of Qualys Inc., Sophos plc, and chairman of TraceSecurity, Inc.

Douglas G. Bergeron has been CEO of VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE:PAY) since 2001 and is one of the company's largest individual shareholders. Mr. Bergeron is on the Listed Company Advisory Committee of NYSE Euronext and on the Board of Directors of Fundtech Ltd. VeriFone, based in San Jose, Calif., is the world's largest provider of electronic payments systems and employs more than 300 high-technology professionals in Georgia.