AIAS Foundation’s WomenIn Program Announces Scholarship Recipients

Eleven Female Aspiring Video Game Creators Receive Academic Grants

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The AIAS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Interactive
Arts & Sciences, today awarded eleven women students for its first round
of WomenIn scholarships. Students across the country were awarded for
the 2016-2017 academic school year to pursue video-game related careers
at accredited four-year college and universities. Each student received
$2,500 to advance their academic career and an opportunity to attend the
2017 D.I.C.E. Summit through the Foundation’s mentor program.

“These eleven AIAS Foundation WomenIn scholars are great examples of how
and by whom the games industry will continue to grow and diversify in
the future,” said Don Daglow, President, AIAS Foundation. “We are proud
to support their education, and to welcome them to the 2017 D.I.C.E.
Conference and pair them with experienced industry mentors.”

Established in 2016, these scholarships seek to support inclusion of
more women in the interactive entertainment industry supported by a
year-long mentorship program with a gaming industry professional.
Winners were evaluated by the AIAS Foundation Scholarship Committee
based on their GPA, financial need, letters of recommendation and
willingness to create change for the games industry.

The scholarship winners for the 2016-2017 academic school year include:

• Sydney Adams, studying English at Stony Brook University
• Stephanie Chen, studying Computer Science at Columbia University
• Martha Monica, studying Computer Science (Game Development) at
  University of Southern California
• Sarah Belhumeur, studying Digital Media at Maine College of Art
• Franzi Wischmann, studying Film and Media Arts at University of Utah
• Sydnie Ritchie, studying Entertainment Arts and Engineering at Brigham
  Young University
• Maya DeJesus, studying Creative Arts and Technology (Game Development)
  at Bloomfield College
• Allison Cole, studying Game Design at New York University
• Jing Shu, studying Entertainment Technology at Carnegie Mellon
  University
• Ciarra Matthews, studying Design at University of California, Davis
• Rachel Hwang, studying Computer Graphics and Game Technology at the
  University of Pennsylvania

The AIAS Foundation’s Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont scholarships will
open in Spring 2017. Submission forms will be available at www.aiasfoundation.org.

Contacts

AIAS Foundation
Debby Chen, 310-484-2556
debby@interactive.org