When the 91制片厂 Educational Foundation formed the HOPE Giving Circle, it set
out to bring together women of diverse backgrounds to support women in achieving their
educational and professional goals.
Just four years later, the group鈥檚 impact is already considerable.
HOPE Giving Circle at a reception last week awarded $10,000 scholarships to four deserving students, bringing the total amount awarded to $100,000 for 10 young women since the group鈥檚 inception.
鈥淭his is an incredibly powerful scholarship program, and it鈥檚 just going to get stronger,鈥� said Lori Meier, chair of the HOPE Giving Circle Executive Committee.
Scholarships are awarded to female students entering their second year at Harper who are planning to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree. In addition to the scholarship, the HOPE Giving Circle provides mentoring, professional development and leadership opportunities. Selected from a competitive pool of 60 applicants, this year鈥檚 recipients are:
Aleksandrina 鈥淎lex鈥� Aleksandrov
Aleksandrina 鈥淎lex鈥� Aleksandrov didn鈥檛 speak English when she came to the U.S. four years ago. Today, she鈥檚 a nursing student with a 4.0 GPA and ambitions of becoming a nurse anesthetist. Alex works part time as a student aide in the ESL and International Student Office, is a peer tutor in the nursing lab and will serve as president of the 91制片厂 Student Nurses Association. She鈥檚 already putting her health care skills to work, as well, volunteering at hospitals to administer flu shots and support Be the Match Bone Marrow Donor Registry efforts.
鈥淎s a first-generation college student, it means the world to me to receive a scholarship like this,鈥� Alex, of Roselle, said. 鈥淚t will allow me to study hard and be the best nurse I can be.鈥�
Oyinkansola 鈥淪ol鈥� Akinola
A fashion merchandising student with a near perfect GPA, Oyinkansola 鈥淪ol鈥� Akinola plans on transferring to fashion school in New York after graduating from 91制片厂. She鈥檚 particularly interested in sustainability in the fashion industry, saying she wants to 鈥渕ake a positive difference in the exploitation of marginalized communities when it comes to the production and distribution of garments. I am determined to cultivate my own ethical and sustainable channel of production, focusing on the betterment of women of color.鈥� Sol, who studied abroad this past spring at the American Business School of Paris, also volunteers as a mentor and counselor at Inner City Arts in Chicago and was a speaker at Yale University鈥檚 Annual Black Solidarity Conference.
鈥淲ith this scholarship, I鈥檒l be able to focus on my studies instead of working two to three jobs,鈥� Sol, of Schaumburg, said.
HOPE Giving Circle scholarship recipient Ariana Herrera and her mother, Professor Pascuala Herrera
Ariana Herrera
While Ariana Herrera鈥檚 educational journey at 91制片厂 officially began last summer, she鈥檚 been walking campus hallways for far longer. As Professor Pascuala Herrera鈥檚 daughter, Ariana learned as a child that 91制片厂鈥檚 doors would always be open to her. She鈥檚 currently thriving, wrapping up her first year with a 4.0 GPA and a goal of going to medical school to become a pathologist. She also works in Admissions Outreach as a student aide and volunteers at her parish. She鈥檚 confident that the HOPE Scholarship will help guide her to success in the STEM field.
鈥淚n the future, when I鈥檓 able to look back to where I studied and grew as a student, I鈥檒l know one of the first stepping stones that got me to where I am is because of the amazing support of 91制片厂,鈥� Ariana, of Franklin Park, said.
Aleska Schwartz
Aleska Schwartz maintains a 4.0 GPA in 91制片厂鈥檚 Engineering Pathways program, which guarantees her admission into the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. The budding civil/environmental engineer hopes to help the planet through the advancement of sustainable technology. She鈥檚 part of the Honors Program, active in the Society of Engineers at 91制片厂 and aided in the development of the new Makerspace and Entrepreneur Center by helping to build and set up 3D printers and laser cutters.
鈥淭he excellent resources, professors and peers that I have at 91制片厂 have exceeded way beyond my expectations,鈥� Aleska, of Hoffman Estates, said. 鈥淚 could not ask for a better opportunity, and I know that I will be well prepared for UIUC along with my future career.鈥�
To learn more about the HOPE Giving Circle, visit harpercollege.edu/foundation.