Savannah State University (SSU) will be represented by Aaliyah Buckholts for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in 2019-20. Buckholts was chosen to be an HBCU Competiveness Scholar.

Buckholts is a rising senior mathematics major with a track in secondary education. A native of Riverdale, Ga., she is the vice president of SSU’s chapter of Ga. Association of Educators, member of the National Council of Negro Women, a tutor for the Upward Bound program and a student assistant in the registrar’s office. Buckholts began college as a dual enrolled student and has maintained a 4.0 GPA during her time at SSU. Buckholts was also elected Miss Savannah State University for 2019-2020.

HBCU Competiveness Scholars are chosen for their academic achievements, campus leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurial spirit. Buckholts will attend the 2019 National HBCU Week conference September 8-11 in Washington, D.C. Throughout the year, she will attend monthly webinars, network with other scholars and participate in workshops.

Previous SSU scholars include Antonio McMillan, Sade Shofidiya, Shelton Bowens, Alicia Montgomery and Le Shawn Baynard, when the program was called White House HBCU All-Stars.