Fushcia-Ann Hoover selected for Women

Fushcia-Ann Hoover selected for Women’s High-Tech Coalition Congressional Internship in Washington, D.C.

Fushcia-Ann Hoover, a McNair Scholar and St. Thomas senior, is soaring as a woman of color in science. Last month, Fushcia-Ann and her faculty mentor, Dr. John Abraham, associate professor in engineering at St. Thomas, received confirmation that her McNair research paper, "A Comparison of Corn-Based Ethanol with Cellulosic Ethanol as Replacements for Petroleum-Based Fuels, A Review," has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Sustainable Energy.

Fushcia-Ann Hoover

According to Abraham, "Rarely does a student get the opportunity to have her research published at the undergraduate level. In my time at St. Thomas, I know of only two students, and one is Fushcia-Ann." Fushcia-Ann and Abraham presented their research at the Clean Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, in May.

Hoover was notified that she was one of two women to be selected for the inaugural Women’s High-Tech Coalition Congressional Internship in Washington, D.C., from a very competitive pool of applicants. This is the first of its kind internship opportunity offered to two female college students. With support from Best Buy and the Geek Squad, the Geek Squad Academy Women’s High-Tech Coalition Internship program is designed to inspire the next generation of women to get involved with technology by combining a hands-on learning experience with a Congressional internship opportunity.

"As lawmakers around the world become more engaged in science and technology policy, ensuring a robust and intelligent public debate around relevant issues becomes increasingly important," said MaryClare Fitzgerald, president and founder of the Women’s High-Tech Coalition. "That’s why we’re delighted to have the support of Best Buy and Geek Squad. Their dedication to providing unique opportunities to young women and arming them with the resources, information and experiences to pursue careers in these fields mirrors our own."

The Geek Squad Academy-Women’s High-Tech Coalition Internship program offers two young women a chance to make substantive contributions to the work of members of Congress and the Coalition. Interns will conduct policy research and analysis, draft reports and analyses, provide administrative support as requested, and participate in other advocacy activities, such as supporting members of Congress working on policy issues that are fundamental to the future of emerging science and technology.

The 2009 program interns will work in a Congressional Office from June 8 to Aug. 7. The program also will include a $3,000 stipend for each participating intern.  

Hoover will graduate in December 2009 with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in Middle Eastern studies. While interning in Washington, she is continuing her McNair Scholars requirements by preparing for the Graduate Records Examination and completing applications for admission to graduate engineering and policy programs at top schools in the United States.

Please join me in wishing Fushcia-Ann our best as she continues to be successful in her academic endeavors!