An Alcorn State University student and alumna have been selected as the first participants from a historically Black college and university (HBCU) for the William A. Demmer Scholars Program.

Aaliyah Porter, a junior majoring in agricultural business management from Woodville, Miss., and Saniyah Malone, an alumna who majored in agricultural sciences from Natchez, Miss., were chosen for the program.

The Demmer Scholars Program prepares students for careers in policy, sustainability and federal leadership.

Dr. Monica Burr, an assistant professor of environmental science in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, encouraged both students to apply.

Porter said her coursework at Alcorn shaped her interest in policy.

“Classes in agricultural economics, finance and policy helped me understand how decisions are made and how they affect real people, especially in rural communities like the one I grew up in,” Porter said.

Porter serves as vice president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and holds leadership roles in the Girls Coalition, IMPACT and Braves Solutions.

“Being selected shows that Alcorn students belong in national policy spaces and that our voices matter,” she said.

Malone said the program’s focus on policy and public service drew her to apply.

“The interview process pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but I knew it could lead to valuable experience and exposure working in Washington, D.C.,” Malone said.

Malone served as president of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter during the 2024-25 academic year and participated in Alcorn Impact and the Girls Coalition.

She earned her associate degree at 17 in spring 2023, began studying at Alcorn in fall 2023 and graduated Dec. 11 at 20.

Malone attended MANRRS conferences and participated in a two-week agricultural program in Puerto Rico through a collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez.

Porter said she hopes to work in agricultural policy, sustainability or federal program development.

Malone plans to pursue graduate studies in environmental science or environmental policy and work as a sustainability specialist.