Marshall University BOLD Scholars that were awarded the grant include:
- Sydney Barbour, political science major, Barboursville, West Virginia
- Lacie Brenner, criminal justice major, Wellston, Ohio
- Emmalee Holt, civil engineering major from Louisa, Kentucky
- Aliyah Quinet, computer science major, South Charleston, West Virginia
The grant funding supports the summer camp, hosted at Marshall University, titled InnovateHER and is designed to introduce rural West Virginia high school students to real-world STEM careers through hands-on problem solving.
As BOLD Scholars, Barbour, Brenner, Holt and Quinet applied for the Magic Grant as part of their curriculum through the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network at Marshall. They designed the concept of the camp, planning curriculum and will work on recruiting volunteers to lead the high school students.
“When we launched BOLD at Marshall in 2025, we dreamed the students would impact the next generation,” said Alys Smith, First Lady of Marshall University and founder of BOLD at Marshall. “It has been incredible to watch our scholars develop and already work towards empowering the next generation of women—a true full-circle experience.”
The pilot program will take place in Summer 2027 and serve 25 students over an intensive 3-day experience. Students will be grouped with industry mentors and tackle practical challenges across engineering, medicine, cybersecurity and software.
Applications for high school students to attend the camp will tentatively open in Spring 2027, with the camp running July 21 through July 24.
InnovateHER aligns with Marshall University’s commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers, while providing access to STEM education and leadership training for students in Appalachia,
For more information InnovateHER and the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network at Marshall University, visit www.marshall.edu/bold.
About the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network at Marshall University
The BOLD Women’s Leadership Network at Marshall University is an innovative initiative designed to empower Scholars with the tools and confidence to lead with purpose. Grounded in community, mentorship, and real-world learning, participants will be ready to navigate the demands of their future careers and beyond. BOLD at Marshall is one of five institutions to partner with the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation and the first of its kind in Appalachia.