The Incredible Impact of Splunk’s HBCU Academic Scholarship

For the last few years, Splunk has been honored to award our HBCU Academic Scholarship to brilliant students attending various Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide. In 2024, we awarded scholarships to 15 students, empowering them to continue excelling in their academics and champion their passion for technology. 

What makes this scholarship program so gratifying is hearing how it has helped recipients manage their academic expenses, so they can focus on studying and contributing to their community. We had conversations with three 2024 recipients, who shared what an impact this scholarship has had on their journey so far! Let’s meet each of them:

Da’Quandalon Daniel - My name is Da'Quandalon, and I am an honors senior computer science major from the City of Champions, Gadsden, AL attending Alabama A&M University. I chose the field of computer science because I had a strong interest in learning computer programming after graduating high school. I realized technology was rapidly evolving and offered many different career paths. My background is in software engineering, and I have had two software engineering internships. 

Geehan Altayb - My name is Geehan, and I am a rising sophomore majoring in Computer Science at Howard University. My path to technology began with a childhood fascination with puzzles, which naturally grew into a passion for logical games and coding. This fascination with problem-solving led me to pursue a degree in computer science.

James Riley III - My name is James, and I'm a rising sophomore majoring in Cybersecurity at Hampton University. My passion for computers has been lifelong. From my earliest memories, I've been captivated by technology. I took my first coding class in 4th grade and instantly fell in love. Choosing to major in computer science felt like a natural progression. After completing my first year, I am more convinced than ever that I'm pursuing a field where my talents naturally align and a career path that resonates deeply with me.

We also talked with two past recipients who joined us as interns and then full-time Splunkers! Let’s have them introduce themselves:

Emmanuel Hilliard - My name is Emmanuel, born and raised in Jacksonville Florida, and I attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University pursuing a degree in Computer Science. As a kid I wanted to be an inventor. Making things that made other people's lives easier was very fulfilling work. As I grew, I tried this with different mediums but software was the one I gravitated to most. 

Ra’Caria Burgess - My name is RaCaria, and I am a Computer Science graduate from Florida A&M University. Since I was a young girl, I’ve been passionate about shaping the future and being at the forefront of innovation. I enjoy solving complex problems and creating new systems. A degree in computer science opened doors to a wide range of opportunities in fields, including product management, software development, data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more. 

What motivated you to apply to the Splunk HBCU Scholarship?

Geehan: When I came across the Splunk HBCU Scholarship, I saw it as a golden opportunity to fully immerse myself in my academic and professional goals. The idea of having the privilege of financial support to relieve some of the burdens associated with pursuing a degree in technology was incredibly motivating to me. I realized that this scholarship would provide the freedom to focus on my studies and career aspirations without the constant worry of tuition fees, textbooks, and other essential expenses.

James: My motivation to apply for the scholarship stems from my parents' encouragement to graduate from college debt-free. They both graduated with student loans, an experience shared by many. Witnessing their student loan debt has driven me to learn from their challenges and position myself to enter the workforce without financial burdens that could last decades.

What does winning the Splunk HBCU Scholarship mean to you - how does it support you in your academics, personal, or professional journey?

Da’Quandalon: It reassures me that my impact throughout my academic journey has not gone unnoticed. This scholarship will support me and alleviate financial burdens for my senior year. As I look to graduate with a Bachelor's in Computer Science with a concentration in cybersecurity in Spring 2025, I can now remain focused on maintaining my 4.0 cumulative GPA.

James: Winning the scholarship this year was a tremendous relief and ensures that I won't have to pay out of pocket for my sophomore year, for which I am extremely grateful. I don't take this opportunity for granted, knowing that many talented scholars also applied. This scholarship will greatly enhance my academic, personal, and professional journey.

What do you think you will be able to achieve now that you have received this scholarship?

Da’Quandalon: I'll be able to achieve many goals and accomplishments. I plan on starting a full-time job search this fall and will be studying for technical interviews. Additionally, I will begin studying for the GMAT/GRE as I will be applying to accelerated access for MBA programs. 

Geehan: This has already helped me make significant decisions that positively impact my academic journey. Without this support, I would probably be working a job for more than seven hours every day to save money for college, which would mean rejecting a research opportunity I had for this summer. Thanks to the scholarship, I accepted my offer and am now doing meaningful research instead of working long hours. 

What advice would you give to other students who are considering applying for future Splunk scholarships?

Geehan: My advice is simple: go for it. I understand that scholarship applications can be daunting, with extensive writing requirements and the uncertainty of selection. However, if you see an opportunity, seize it regardless of your second thoughts. The potential benefits far outweigh the effort and uncertainty. Take the chance, and you might find yourself in a position to fully realize your academic and career dreams, just like I did.

James: I would advise future applicants to believe in themselves and to learn all about Splunk’s culture. If you can win the scholarship and be associated with one of the top tech companies in the world, then you are extremely fortunate. 

How did the Splunk HBCU Academic Scholarship impact your academic and career journey?

Ra’Caria: Receiving the scholarship had a profoundly life-changing impact. Firstly, it played a crucial role in covering a significant financial aid gap, alleviating the burden of tuition costs and allowing me to focus entirely on my studies without the constant stress of financial constraints. This financial support ensured that I could remain on track with my educational goals and fully engage in my coursework and academic opportunities.

Secondly, the scholarship was more than just financial assistance – it significantly deepened my relationship with the Splunk organization. This connection extended beyond the scholarship itself and opened doors to invaluable professional experiences. I had the chance to intern with Splunk, which provided me with hands-on experience and insight into the tech industry. This internship was a pivotal experience that not only enhanced my technical skills but also allowed me to network with professionals and mentors within the organization.

The relationship forged through the scholarship didn’t end with the internship. It paved the way for a full-time opportunity with Splunk after graduation, which has been instrumental in launching my career. 

What made you apply for a role at Splunk?

Emmanuel: The people. When I was interviewing at career fairs, the Splunk recruiters were excited about their jobs and the company. When I had my internship, my team and the other interns all made me feel extremely welcomed and excited to work at the company. The people I encountered at Splunk were always smart, fun, and enthusiastic about their jobs – so why wouldn’t I want to join?

How was your experience transitioning from being a student, to working at an internship and/or full-time job at Splunk?

Emmanuel: My transition from student to intern was pretty natural. It felt like another class or a long hackathon. However transitioning to full-time was more challenging. School and internships have a definite finish line with short and discrete feedback loops. Study for a test, get a grade, repeat. Whereas full-time work is more open ended. Projects can go for long periods of time without feedback and besides a paycheck, what are you working towards? It took a lot of time and thought along with plenty of discussion to integrate my life goals with my work at Splunk in a way that’s rewarding, both short-term and long-term.

Ra’Caria: The transition from being an intern to a full-time Splunker has been an incredibly rewarding journey. As an intern, you often find yourself immersed in a whirlwind of knowledge, people, and experiences within a relatively short period. This intensive exposure equips you to thrive in fast-paced environments, but stepping into a full-time position provides the opportunity to start honing your skills towards mastery.

Being surrounded by some of the most talented individuals in the industry has been inspiring. Every conversation and interaction offers new insights and learning opportunities, which keeps me continually engaged and motivated. The atmosphere here is one of relentless pursuit of optimization and excellence, which fuels my enthusiasm and drives me to grow even more each day.

Click here if you’re interested in learning more about our HBCU Academic Scholarship and how to apply!