Meet Nadia Anderson
BS Health Administration and Policy ‘22
Recipient – Lettie Pate Whitehead Nursing & Allied Health Scholarship
“I chose health administration because I had always wanted to go into the medical field, but had strong business skills, and found that this could be the best of both worlds. This scholarship has meant a lot to me. I feel supported by my school and community and I feel encouraged to pursue my degree, despite the financial burden it may bring.”
Meet Genesis Andia
MSW '21
Recipient – Amy Leachtenauer Miller Endowed Social Work Scholarship
“Growing up I knew I wanted to help people. I always loved lending a hand and supporting others. I also knew that I wanted to work with children and families. Family makes up a big part of who we are. Being a source of support in helping foster a healthier lifestyle for both children and families is the reason why I wanted to pursue a degree in Social Work. Being a recipient of the Amy Leachtenauer Miller Endowed Social Work Scholarship means so much to me. This scholarship opened the doors for me to achieve my goal of finishing my Master’s Degree. By obtaining this degree, I was able to enhance my skills and knowledge towards becoming a successful social worker."
Meet Ahmad Clemmons
Recipient - ERPi Patriot Scholarship
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student
Veteran, U.S. Air Force
“What I value and cherish most about nursing and Mason is its inclusivity. As a veteran, nurse, and African American man, I feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated as a member of this community.” Ahmad Clemmons (DNP student) says receiving the ERPI scholarship eased the financial strain of pursuing a degree and focus on his education.
Meet Natalie Delcid
MSW ‘19
Recipient - Amy Leachtenauer Miller Social Work Scholarship
“The scholarship meant more to me than finances. It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I got my life back.” Delcid began her graduate program trying to juggle her studies, internship, job, and living on her own for the first time. She now works for the City of Alexandria as a bilingual youth services coordinator. She is also pursuing her required clinical hours for her licensure.
Meet Yusufu Kamara
BSN ‘21
Recipient – CHHS Distinguished Scholar Award, Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown Endowed Nursing Scholarship
“I had always wanted to serve humanity by making patients feel better since I was in elementary school. It is the desire to learn the critical thinking skills of a registered nurse so that I can serve vulnerable populations that led me to study nursing,” details Kamara. “These scholarships helped to pay for my nursing tuition and other educational costs. Both of the scholarships that I received from CHHS reminded me of the need to give back to others in need, both financially to pursue educational goals, and as a registered nurse. I especially want to help the homeless, uninsured residents, minorities, and others affected by developmental challenges.”
Meet Tamanna Kazi
BSN '19
Recipient - Kay McNamara Nursing Endowed Scholarship and the Florence M. Schaffner International Experience
“My scholarship donors have given this first-generation woman an opportunity to strive for her dreams without limitations. I plan on becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) in the ER for some time and then travel abroad with Doctors without Borders or NGOs to do some public health work. I too plan one day to pass on this blessing of a scholarship to another woman who also needs someone to believe in her.” Read Tamanna's full story here.
Meet Julianne Mason
BS Global Health ‘22
Recipient - Lettie Pate Whitehead Nursing & Allied Health Scholarship
“I chose this degree because I have always had a passion for health and giving back to my community. Global Community Health equips you with knowledge of various topics, such as diseases, the environment, methods of preventing health issues, developing countries, and much more. The donors of this scholarship gave me the ability and encouragement to focus on my studies by removing the stress of financial instability. This scholarship aided me in more ways than one and I will forever be grateful. I highly encourage everyone to apply for scholarships during their time in college.”
Meet Harsha Nayyar
BS Health Administration ‘21
Recipient – Lettie Pate Whitehead Nursing & Allied Health Scholarship
“When I think about joining the workforce later in my life, I always think how can I improve the lives of other people? Health care is the first choice that comes to my mind,” Nayyar says of her motivation to pursue her degree path. “This scholarship award has encouraged me to work even harder to achieve my goals in the field of healthcare. My academic journey has been full of adventures and at every point, I learn something new. Recognitions like this scholarship inspire students like me to work even hard to complete our journey successfully.”
Meet Allison O’Rourke
MPH ‘21
Recipient – ERPi Patriot Scholarship
Daughter of 2 Retired Army Veterans
“I really wanted to learn how I could use my background in biochemistry to make more of an impact and understand how to serve the people I was trying to help better,” O’Rourke says. “I was so grateful to get this scholarship during the pandemic because it allowed me to continue on with school and to take a very important internship that has since opened many doors for me.”
Meet Kayla Thompson
BSN '20
Recipient - Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship
“As an accelerated nursing degree student, I will be doing in one year what most do in two... this doesn’t leave me much time to pick up extra shifts at work to cover tuition and the extra costs associated with this degree. I truly don’t think words will be able to adequately express how excited and relieved I was regarding this scholarship. The Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship has literally been a God send. I was extremely concerned about how to pay tuition plus all life's normal bills as I felt as if I was barely scraping by before adding in tuition costs. Without the scholarship, I probably would not have been able to afford normal life plus tuition. With the scholarship, I will have been able to achieve a lifelong goal of mine, becoming a nurse. ”
Meet Knashka Underwood
BSN ‘21
Recipient – ERPi Patriot Scholarship
“I needed a career that I felt passionate about and that allowed me to directly help those in need which led me to the GMU ABSN program. This scholarship afforded to me means so much more than its monetary value. It has also given me other things just as important: financial peace of mind and self-confidence. It was a symbol of someone believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. It has given me a chance to prove to myself that I am worthy and that I am capable of anything. For these things, I am infinitely thankful.”