The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) invites the public to view an exclusive interview with Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D., and Rashida A. Hodge, a distinguished Virgin Islander and Microsoft executive. The interview serves as Episode 5 of Live with VIDE.
Rashida’s remarkable journey from the USVI public school system to global leadership is nothing short of inspiring. As a testament to her commitment to education and her home, Rashida recently established the Rashida A. Hodge Scholarship Fund, a $1 million endowment through the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI). This scholarship offers life-changing opportunities for U.S. Virgin Islands public high school graduates to attend her alma mater, North Carolina State University (NCSU). It aims to empower students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
The inaugural scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year, with applications opening in March 2025 and closing in May 2025. Recipients may renew the award for up to three additional years by maintaining a GPA of 3.25 and good academic standing.
In this must-watch interview, Rashida speaks about her upbringing in the Virgin Islands and her experiences as a proud product of the public school system. She also highlights her professional journey, including navigating spaces where she was often the only person who looked like her. Additionally, she touches on the inspiration behind her decision to establish the scholarship and her desire to give back to her community.
VIEW INTERVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/Sstu4MLXMyA
Rashida’s accolades include being named one of Fortune’s 40 Under 40 in Technology (2020), NC Tech Woman of the Year (2021), and receiving the Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award (2022). She currently serves on NCSU’s Board of Visitors and will deliver the fall commencement address to the Class of 2024.
VIDE Commissioner Wells-Hedrington expressed profound pride in Rashida’s accomplishments, stating, “Rashida Hodge is a shining example of what is possible with hard work, focus, and determination. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of giving back to the community that shaped her.”
This inspiring conversation celebrates Rashida’s extraordinary contributions, her trailblazing career, and her unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of Virgin Islanders. VIDE extends heartfelt gratitude to Rashida for her philanthropic efforts and her ongoing support of our students.
The VIDE thanks Rashida for proving that the highest heights can be reached by our students, and for being an example they can look up to and aspire to become.
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Download Press Releases here: pdf Press Release 0109 25 VIDE Announces Inspiring Interview with Trailblazing Virgin Islander Rashida A Hodge (153 KB)
