Spelman College Junior Shenelle Opoku Participates in NASCAR Program

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Shenelle Opoku, pictured far right.

ATLANTA, GA (10/10/2011)(readMedia)-- In September, Shenelle Opoku was one of three Spelman College students chosen to participate in the NASCAR Diversity Mentorship Program at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. A native of Trumbull, Conn., Opoku was selected to shadow some of the industry's top professionals and learn about various career opportunities at NASCAR. A joint effort between the NASCAR Industry Operations and Diversity Affairs departments, the program, which serves as a pipeline for NASCAR's internship program, exposes diverse students to NASCAR through a weekend immersion experience at a race track.

During the two-day event, Opoku, a junior international studies major, spent time touring the Atlanta Motor Speedway, as well as assisting NASCAR personnel in pre-race and post-race activities. The program is designed to support deserving students of Alaskan Native, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, and other racial minority descents.

Opoku is a 2007 graduate of Trumbull High School.

SpelmanCollege:

Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. Located in Atlanta, Ga., this historically black college boasts an 83 percent graduation rate, and outstanding alumnae such as Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; former U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis, authors Tina McElroy Ansa and Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 85 percent of the full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees, and the average faculty to student ratio is 9:1. More than 2,100 students attend Spelman. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.

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