IMPACT FOR ENTERPRISING WOMEN

Scholarship Recipients 2019

Heather - Engineering

Financially speaking, this academic year will be one of the most difficult years I have faced. I am a single parent of a 14-year-old boy. I received a kidney transplant in February of 2017, and the continued follow-up care, medication, and insurance are expensive, exhausting my savings.

I am seeking a career that will translate my curiosity, zest for understanding, and love of chemistry into developing and engineering products, as well as more effective testing techniques. I will focus on products and techniques that clean up our food supply and make solar energy more accessible to individual homeowners.  I am focusing studies on chemical engineering, inspired by my cousin Jason, who is currently a successful chemical engineer.

From a young age, I learned the value of volunteering and developed organizational skills that I now use to serve the community. Most recently, I was the president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Shepherd Junior High School.  And I tutor and mentor youth at Sunshine Acres children’s home.

Shannon – Court Reporting

I am looking forward to my second semester of court reporting; I paid for my first semester on my own. However, I have gone from being employed full time to part time while attending school which has reduced my income dramatically and is difficult in supporting my daughter.

My academic goal is to graduate in the year 2021 with an associate’s degree in court reporting. I am the only family member currently enrolled in college and will be the first person on my mother's side to graduate from college. I plan on dedicating 110% of my time to master this skill set and begin a career as soon as I graduate. I will either pursue a career as a court reporter or as a closed-caption writer.

My current profession is a senior workforce analyst where I own site responsibilities for the Phoenix call center in terms of new-hire classes, schedule design, and half of the ongoing training requirements for 1,000+ professionals.

Ashley – Medical Radiology

For the upcoming academic year, my need for financial assistance will be great.  I do plan on obtaining a job to help with everyday expenses; however, I find it difficult due to program schedule requirements to manage school and home life.

My academic goals would include completion of the medical radiography program in May of 2020. I will achieve this by sheer determination and discipline to provide a better life for my daughter.  My hope is that I can set an example for her that anything is possible.  Upon completion of the program, I will apply to continue my education.  Continuing education would be expanding my clinical skills in the world of imaging or obtaining a bachelor's degree in medical radiography. 

As a single full-time parent, I dedicate any additional time I have towards my daughter, ensuring she has experiences beyond school and daycare.  I am able to demonstrate leadership skills through helping fellow students during class time or through my clinical experience.  I often I strive to be someone who can be helpful and reliable in the classroom or in clinical rotations.

Lyndsay - Business

Since the day my husband forced me and my son out of our home in the middle of the night, I’ve worked to ensure that I never find myself in a predicament where I have to depend on someone else for our well-being.  In order to make a better life, I know this must include a quality education followed by a job that can support my small family of two. I work 40 (plus) hours a week while in school. I hope to earn an  associate’ s degree in business at GateWay Community College and continue my education by transferring to Arizona State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration. 

My early career was working with patients entering the hospital at Abrazo West Campus Hospital, and helping staff care for the patients.  I loved being on the front line where tough situations often presented themselves.  I have a take-charge personality and people often look to me for solutions.   After Abrazo, I was a marketing coordinator for Brookdale Senior Living.  I took a lot of pride in coordinating events that helped residents maintain their independence and keep a connection with their families.  One Easter, I even dressed up as the Easter Bunny to the delight of the residents and their families. 

Nadia - Nursing

I'm a bilingual full-time employee with two children.  I have been interested in the medical field since I could remember.  I was not able to pursue that career after high school since my mother was a single parent and I had to help her.  I became a mother at 21 and decided to put my dreams aside and take care of my daughter and when my son was born, once again I set my dreams aside.  They're older now and I feel it's time for me to reach my dreams.

I have been accepted to the Bilingual Nursing Fellowship Program and started nursing school Fall of 2019.  This led me to cut back my work responsibility.  I will be the first one in both my paternal and maternal families to have completed a degree in the medical field. My goal is to become a successful bilingual registered nurse and pursue my bachelor's as well.

I work for a dialysis company as a patient care technician transitioning to a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician.  Being in contact with dialysis patients has once again confirmed that I do want to become a registered nurse and have the knowledge and education to make a difference in someone’s life.  I have also been involved in committees at work and in the community.  I get involved with the children in our neighborhood and play games with them to get them active and not just sit at home. I have also been the go-to person in the family when it comes to translating, financial advice, health decisions, or help when in need; I enjoy taking a leadership role.