For release: March 22, 2011
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901/678-2843

Shannon White

White completed her associate degree at Volunteer State Community College in just three semesters. She first met U of M President Shirley Raines at the 2009 Economic Summit for Women, where she received a TECW scholarship and Raines received an “E” award.

She transferred to the U of M to earn an undergraduate degree in the ASIT program after she and her husband, James J. White, started a business importing plywood from China. “My interest in Chinese culture and Sino-American relationships drew me to the U of M’s outstanding ASIT program in the University College, where Dr. Hsiang-te Kung, Riki Jackson and Tracy Robinson have guided me through the program,” White said.

White’s internship will run from summer through fall 2011. Dr. Carol Danehower, associate professor of management in the U of M’s Fogelman College of Business & Economics and chair of the TECW, will be her faculty advisor. White will report to TECW’s executive director, Jennifer Rawls. During her internship she will work on projects to help women entrepreneurs increase their potential to become larger employers through green initiatives and technology.  She will also work to help expand American women’s exposure to the international market for green initiatives, with a focus on China’s industry sector.

“This opportunity for Shannon to put her skills, expertise, and energy to work for at the Tennessee Economic Council on Women is a phenomenal experience for her, the TECW, and the women of the state of Tennessee,” Danehower said. “As both chair of the TECW and a U of M faculty member, I am incredibly excited about what Shannon is going to be able to accomplish. Her enthusiasm and interest in ‘giving back’ to the University and the TECW in light of the scholarships she has received is heartwarming.”

Last year USA Today named White one of 20 students to the Coca-Cola All-USA Community College Academic Team.

She is the daughter of Pat and David Wakefield of Murfreesboro, Tenn.