Meet Emerie McCann
Emerie McCann is a remarkable young woman who is turning her dreams into reality. As one of the 2024 recipients of the alliantgroup Black Collaborative STEaM Scholarship, Emerie is embarking on a career in Environmental Engineering. Her story is not just an inspiration to aspiring engineers but also a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication.
Emerie recently graduated as the valedictorian of her senior class at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy in Houston, Texas. She plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall, majoring in Environmental Engineering. Emerie’s academic excellence is just the beginning of her inspiring story.
A Vision for Environmental Change
Emerie’s passion for environmental engineering stems from a deep desire to make a difference in underserved communities. “I aspire to become an Environmental Engineer specifically tackling the constant climate issues within underserved communities. Individuals within these areas tend to face the most issues but lack the resources to deal with these challenges; I want to change that,” she says. Her vision includes providing essential resources like air conditioning and clean water to all communities and eventually opening her own women-led engineering firm.
A Love for Animals
Beyond her academic and professional aspirations, Emerie has a profound love for animals. She works at a pet resort, where she finds joy and fulfillment in caring for animals. “Animals bring out the best in me and make me incredibly happy. Seeing their joy and caring for them brings out another side of me that is nurturing and patient,” she shares. Academic success was not always easy for Emerie and says her mom is her greatest inspiration.
Overcoming Challenges
Emerie’s path to success wasn’t always smooth. She credits her mother as her greatest inspiration, a guiding light who supported her through thick and thin. “Her endless care not only for me but also for my peers and community has shown me the true meaning of dedication and selflessness. She played a pivotal role in helping me overcome challenges like selective mutism, always encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and discover my voice,” Emerie recalls. Her mother’s unwavering belief in her has instilled a deep sense of self-worth and determination to overcome any obstacle.
The Impact of the alliantgroup Black Collaborative STEaM Scholarship
Receiving the alliantgroup Black Collaborative Scholarship is more than just financial support for Emerie; it is a powerful source of motivation. She believes that a career in STEaM opens doors to endless possibilities. “It’s not just about solving problems or creating innovations; it’s about making a real impact on the world,” Emerie explains. Her words reflect the essence of what the scholarship aims to achieve – empowering students to become leaders in STEaM fields.
Empowering the Next Generation
As an advocate for leaders everywhere, alliantgroup is proud to help light that spark for the next generation of Black engineers, scientists, and finance professionals by developing the alliantgroup Black Collaborative (aBC) STEaM (science, technology, engineering, accounting, and math) Scholarship Program.
The aBC’s mission is to promote Black Excellence through engaging in our Houston-area community, empowering Black alliantgroup professionals to reach their leadership goals, and expanding alliantgroup’s search for talented professionals to include dedicated recruiting efforts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
With the growing need for technical and finance talent within the country, coupled with the underrepresentation of Black professionals in STEaM fields, alliantgroup and the alliantgroup Black Collaborative have created a program to incentivize Black students who are entering higher education to pursue careers in STEaM and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Click here to learn more about the alliantgroup Blue Heart Fund.
Featured Leadership
Casey Curry is alliantgroup’s Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Philanthropy. Casey serves on the Board of Directors of The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce and is a passionate STEM education advocate and is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women and girls through leadership, education, and mentorship. As a meteorologist by trade and media personality based in Houston, you may have seen Casey on FOX, ABC and NBC, as well as the guest meteorologist on the weekend edition of Good Morning America in New York City.
