UAH graduate students to attend 2014 Clinton Global Initiative University

From left to right, UAH graduate students Joy Agee and Kenya Wallace selected to attend the 2014 Clinton Global Initiative University.
Michael Mercier | UAH

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (March 17, 2014) — Two University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) graduate students Joy Agee and Kenya Wallace, were recently selected to attend the prestigious Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) for college graduate and undergraduate students, March 21-23 in Arizona.

Agee (BS, MS Biological Science 2010), a doctoral candidate in Biotechnology, Science and Engineering, and Wallace (MS Chemistry 2012), a doctoral student in Materials Science, will attend the two-day conference courtesy of the UAH Office of Diversity. Agee was one of five black student leaders recently profiled in the Clinton Global Initiative national newsletter here:

President William Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton will host the 2014 CGI U at Arizona State University. Established in 2005, the CGI U is a growing community of student innovators and entrepreneurs working to turn ideas into action. The annual conference also allows students to discuss global issues, develop practical skills, identify potential partners, and formulate concrete plans of action for the future.

This year, CGI U attendees will be joined by experts, entrepreneurs, and civically engaged celebrities such as Bill Drayton, Chief Executive Officer of Ashoka; Gabrielle Giffords, former U.S. Representative and founder, Americans for Responsible Solutions; Mark Kelly, former astronaut and founder, Americans for Responsible Solutions; Jimmy Kimmel, host and executive producer, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"; John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona; Cindy Hensley McCain, founding member, Eastern Congo Initiative; Maria Elena Salinas, anchor, Univision News; Jimmy Wales, founder Wikipedia; and Lauryn Williams, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Sprinting and Silver Medalist in bobsledding.

While pursuing her doctorate degree at UAH, Agee works as a graduate research assistant at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Excelling academically as well as professionally, Agee's involvement in numerous activities and societies include the UAH Minority Graduate Student Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., Phi Beta Kappa, the American Association for University Women, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, and the UAH Alumni Association.

She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Spelman College, and is a member of the Morehouse/Spelman Professional Network. Agee is expected to complete her doctoral degree in biotechnology from UAH in December.

In addition to completing her PhD degree, Wallace holds memberships in several professional organizations, including the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, the American Association for University Women, the UAH Minority Graduate Student Association, the Alabama Women Student Leaders Conference, and the UAH Alumni Association. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Alabama State University. Wallace is expected to complete her doctoral degree in materials science from UAH in May 2016.

Additionally, Agee and Wallace are on the planning team for Tech Trek at UAH, a STEM-centered summer residence camp for girls that will be hosted on the UAH campus July 20-25.