Category: Scholarship

[W]hen I decided to go to graduate school, I needed a dual-degree that would allow me to teach nursing students and provide a solid healthcare management and business foundation. My graduate degree facilitates my dreams of teaching and developing a new generation of nurses. It’s important for me to give back to the profession that I love.

Throughout the years as a practicing nurse, I realized that healthcare is heavily influenced by the decisions made in the board room. Nurses and patients are affected by these decisions, and we need more nurses on the executive level to steer positive changes. Healthcare can be better and more affordable. A graduate degree in business administration advances my career into nursing leadership, healthcare policy change, decision-making, and healthcare management. 

The first obstacle against my education was being born with sickle cell disease. This is a hereditary condition that causes extreme pain, chronic fatigue, and requires frequent hospitalizations. The triggers of a painful episode can be dehydration, traveling, stress, cold, heat, flying, swimming, periods, infection and anything that alters your body chemistry. An episode can occur any time, lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It often requires hospitalization, pain medicines, and a blood transfusion. As I write this, I am in a pain episode and admitted in the hospital. Even sick and in pain, I stay focused on my education. Having sickle cell will not derail me from succeeding in all my goals, doing well in school, and graduating with honors. 

The financial obstacles of education are heightened with sickle cell disease. I often have to make the difficult decision of paying for my education, living expenses, or medical bills. Even though I have worked full-time as a registered nurse and have health insurance, the high deductibles and co-pays affect my disposable income. Not only am I out from work and not making money, each sickle cell episode often has me worried how I was going to pay my rent, electricity, and tuition. The choice is a difficult one, and this scholarship will remove the need to sacrifice living expenses for education and allow me to focus on doing well in school.

When I graduate, there will be tears in my eyes because of all the obstacles I have faced. The days of being hospitalized, in pain, and studying will all be eclipsed in that moment of success. My life has not been easy with sickle cell disease, and yet, accomplishing my goal of graduation after years of hard work will be a moment of unspeakable joy. I will be able to advance my nursing career, teach nursing students, and influence healthcare management. In addition, I can complete my life long goal of developing a non-profit organization that raises awareness, funds for research, increases visibility, reduces misconceptions, and provides education on sickle cell disease. With your help, I can make all these dreams a reality. Thank you for your time.

DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Tosin Ola-Weissmann as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for her essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.

[I] chose my major due to my own lived experience. I was addicted to drugs and alcohol for ten years of my life. I had a career as a fine dining chef. I created meals for customers that were amazingly simple and yet extraordinarily delicious. While creating these meals, I would match wines with each dish. Not only would I match them, I would also drink them. So much so that I created an alcohol and drug dependent monster out of myself. 

During that time I lost my family, friends, home, car, jobs, and myself. I came to the realization that I needed help and was willing to do anything I had to in order to get back to my life. I humbled myself and went to a detoxification center and cleansed my body from the poisons. I knew, in my heart of hearts, that if I went back to where I was from, I would use again. I asked for further treatment.

I ended up in a halfway house with a case manager that had more faith in me than I ever had for myself. He made me realize that I am worth something, a force to be reckoned with. After 4 months of treatment and then a year of sobriety I decided a career change was in order. I wanted to be a case manager for people with substance abuse addiction.

Currently I work in the mental health field; however, once I get my degree I know I will be able to do more than I ever dreamed. Getting my degree means I can help others that have gone through what I went through. It means that, possibly, I can prevent people from going through what I went through. It means I will be able to tell my kids that I set a dream and I achieved it. And that they can, too.

If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now, I would not change a thing. The experiences I went through created who I am today. I am a gay woman who has battled addiction and won. The gifts I have received from this battle are my wife, step-children, family, and myself. I would not have it any other way.

DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Karina Levesque as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for her essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.

[W]hen I graduated high school in the spring of 2009, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Part of me wanted to major in history and become a teacher, like my mother. Another part wanted to go off and become a musician like my father. However, the future had plans for me in the field of anthropology.

Before I continue, I need to set the record straight. I am a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, white male. I do not know discrimination based on my ethnicity. I am instead judged on what conservative religious groups would deem a “life choice.”

It is terrifying growing up as a homosexual in a red state like Arizona. Usually when someone tries to express their sexual identity, they do it to someone they love outside of their immediate family. When I tried to come out to my best friend my junior year of high school, he beat the living hell out of me and told me to “go wear dresses and make-up like all the other ****ots.”

It was in this act that I decided to focus my education in finding an end to the discrimination of gays. I am currently attending the University of Arizona pursuing a bachelor’s of science in anthropology with an emphasis in human biology to search for answers as to why homosexuality exists from a cultural and biological perspective. I hope to find some sort of hard evidence to support the LGBTQIA+ creed that homosexuality is NOT a choice, and use that knowledge as a weapon against religious organizations that deem LGBTQIA+ peoples as “sinful” and “unnatural.”

Earning my degree is fundamental to my ability to hold my ground against critics. I hope to pursue my master’s degree right out of my undergraduate program, and hopefully not stop until I’ve earned a PhD. I may not be the most overtly diverse individual, but I believe that with my research I can lead an army in the war against hate.

DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Luke Nelson as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for his essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.

[I] chose my major, Pharmacy, because I have always dreamed of being in the Medical field so I could help people who are less fortunate than myself. I dreamt of myself having many professions; from a doctor to a surgeon.  One day, these dreams were crushed.

On October 13, 2003, when I was 11 years old, I was walking home from school when I was hit by an impaired driver who ran a red light. Ever since that day, I have had an ongoing tremor in my dominant arm. I was forced to switch over to doing everything with my non-dominant arm; this included writing, eating and much more. I am very limited in what I can do now but that experience has only furthered my dream in having a profession in the medical field. However, I can no longer be a doctor nor could I be a surgeon. I aspire to be a Pharmacist because they actually do help people in ways that an average person cannot. They make medicines and give them to people who are in need of them so people can stay healthy.

To graduate with this degree would mean the world to me because I would accomplish my biggest dream and overcome my biggest obstacle. I would prove to the world that, even though I have a disability, I can still help and add value to society. I would also stand as an example for many who believe they cannot accomplish their dreams because something is holding them back. My disability holds me back in many ways every single day, but I do not let it stop me from being the best I can be. With this example set, I honestly believe I can change the lives of those who consider themselves insignificant with no purpose in life. I have been there and I have overcome what many people cannot and do not overcome themselves. This is why it is important for me to graduate with this degree; to not only help myself, but to help others.

DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Jennifer Monroe as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for her essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.

[I]’ve chosen the Masters of Accounting Program to further my education and better prepare myself for the workplace environment. Hearing about how auditors are the “watchdogs” of the business world heightened my interest in this field. After reading about numerous fraud scandals, I now want to help investors and managers confirm balance sheet numbers and internal controls.

Recently, I have been working on my senior honor’s thesis, which revolves around analyzing the stock market returns to see if institutional investors value LGBTQIA+ progressive policies differently than the common investor. In researching this topic and attending the Out for Undergraduate Business Conference (OUBC), I have realized the need for action with regards to corporate America and the LGBTQ community. Although I am entering a field that already is highly regarded for its Corporate Equality Index scores, I feel that I will be able to make a difference in the community as a whole as well. I have recently realized the importance of accepting everyone for who they truly are.

“At least you’re not that gay. At least you’re not in drag. At lea–“

That’s where I stopped them. Last Christmas, I came out to my parents. My parents were reassuring themselves that it could be worse: I could be “gayer.” A few years earlier, I would have agreed with them to soften the punch and lessen the tears. However, at this time I said, “Stop.” I told them that I was myself. Those people are themselves. And this world needs to support and applaud anyone that can be themselves in today’s society. I have only been openly out for a year and have changed multiple people’s perception of the LGBTQIA+ community through my diverse campus involvement.

I have talked to the two leaders of the Open Circle in the PwC San Francisco Office about helping with a number of projects this summer. I cannot wait to see their resources, connections and progress. After attending the OUBC, I met with the Associate Dean of my business school to discuss LGBTQIA+ difficulties and how faculty can be more supportive. Similarly, I will bring what I learn this summer back to the University of Arizona. Looking into the future, much is uncertain, but I can assure you that I will stay true to my morals, my integrity and my belief that equality is paramount. Whether this is involvement with the Trevor Project or educating a co-worker on offensive language; I do not know yet. However, I’m extremely excited to find out.

DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Garrett Voge as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for his essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.

[I] chose my major (Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Human Resources) because I thoroughly enjoy being a problem solver. I like having all the answers. I have worked in the Human Resources field for quite some time and I have found that the personnel that run such departments are leaned on heavily by their respective corporations. In short, I like being the “go to guy”. Having a degree in Business will also offer me the versatility I will need to climb the corporate ladder. If I ever grow tired of one particular concentration, I can try something else that is more challenging but still under the business umbrella. 

I have overcome many obstacles while attempting to further my formal education. I initially started when I was a Private serving on active duty in the Army. I was told that a degree would be a could way to advance through the ranks and so I signed up for school the very next day. I had only finished one course when I received news that I would be deployed. Upon my return from Iraq I started my education again. I made it through about five courses before I found out that I was pregnant. I developed a severe and very serious condition called pre eclampsia which ultimately resulted in me going into pre term labor. I took a short leave of absence to watch over my very sick child. She eventually died and I went back to school immediately so that I could continue my education. 

Graduating with this degree will mean everything to me. Although I could probably get a job with my work experience, I do not want just a job, I want a career. I do not want my lack of formal education to prohibit me from advancing in any career path I may choose. Once I graduate, I will be the first in my entire family to have a college education. Many have started but none have finished. The moral of my story is that I have fallen, stumbled, tripped, but somehow I have always found a way to get back up and never quit. I know many people that have gone through similar situations and they used it as an excuse to give up on life. I choose to use my experiences as building blocks for my path to success.

DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Nakeida Duncan as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for her essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.

[M]y parents are from Africa. They migrated to the United States about three decades ago. I am the youngest of three children. I was born in the hardened neighborhoods of Detroit Michigan where I witnessed my parents make the most of very difficult circumstances. In the process they lifted themselves up and gave my siblings and me a happy home filled with love, joy, security, and a future of promising possibilities. 

I am currently an undergraduate student at Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley. However, I aspire to go beyond that and pursue a law degree. I am striving to become an accomplished attorney and advocate, employing the law not only to earn a decent living, but also advocate on behalf of underprivileged people in society. Coming from an under-privileged neighborhood, and managing to see past my circumstances as an African American male in the inner city, I understand the importance of giving back. 

Additionally, my unique family background has afforded me the opportunity to travel around the world and to experience different cultures and other people’s circumstances. Visiting my homeland in Africa, I have come to realize why my parents constantly lecture to me about taking advantage of the opportunities I have and to appreciate why I am blessed to be an American citizen. To see members of my extended family remaining positive, hopeful, and happy despite their circumstance, further put things into perspective for me. Seeing kids my age working to support their families, begging for money, and simply looking for a small ration of food to get through the day has kept me humble. These experiences have made me realize how much many of us take for granted in our otherwise sheltered life in America.

My life’s success will not be measured by my individual status economically, but by the impact I am able to make in communities like my own. A business degree along with being an attorney will allow me to provide financial and emotional support to the youth of struggling communities who were not blessed with the family support that I may have had. I understand that I am lucky. I easily could have become overwhelmed by the circumstances and temptations of my community, but I was fortunate enough to have a solid foundation. Therefore my ultimate desire is to be a resource to those just like me, and change as many lives as I can. In my eyes, the purpose of my education is to have the ability to educate others. My experiences, and the things that I have learned have already inspired me to show others who simply do not know the opportunities that are out there. Young students are often blind to what the world has to offer, and it is my job to expose different opportunities to them and provide the necessary support for them to attain success.

DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Akintoye Akindele as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for his essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.