To keep education within reach by providing financial support in the form of scholarships.
Since 2016, the Empower Scholarship Fund has awarded 2,511 scholarships wo r th more than $4. 7 M !
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank our generous donors for helping to support our mission this past year. We are pleased to welcome new partners and sponsors who joined us for our third annual Together Strong 5K, and are always grateful to our amazing alumni who continue to give back through fundraising opportunities in support of scholarships at their universities.
This strong support helps us to evolve and align with the Adtalem Global Education family and its mission to empower students and members to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community.
In 2022, we shifted management of the Empower Scholarship Fund under the Adtalem Sustainability team for greater exposure and collaboration with leadership. This move also allows us to raise awareness and advance Adtalem’s commitment to educational access and equity. We also introduced scholarships for students at newly acquired Walden University.
Kelly Pearce (Chair)
Chief Executive Officer St. Mary’s Medical Centerl
Alumnus, Deaconess College of Nursing ‘00
Dr. Melani Bell
Nursing Consultant, US Federal Government Alumna, Chamberlain University ‘17
Dr. Kate Essad
System Director of Concussion
Management & Lead of Sports
Neurology, Advocate Aurora Health Alumna, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine ‘12
Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed Coordinator of Pupil Personnel, Hearing Officer and DDOT 2, Southampton County Schools
Alumna, Walden University ‘20
Allison Jones
Director, Marketing Engagement
Adtalem Global Education
Dr. Spandana Nallapati
Pediatrician, Children’s Specialized Hospitals Alumna, Ross University School of Medicine ‘12
Dr. Arlene Rodriguez
Countryside Veterinary Center
I hope as you read this year’s annual report you’ll be inspired to give, knowing the positive
Alumna Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine ‘86
Laura Smith
Director, Registrar Operations
Adtalem Global Education
I always did well in school when I was younger, but was never taught that college was an option. To be able to attend college in my twenties and do it on my own has been an immense burden, but also a significant accomplishment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me.”
Growing up in a less than privileged community has not only offered financial and academic challenges but has also helped me realize the value of a college education. Receiving this award means I am on the right path to succeeding.
I will always have people to thank for my accomplishments and receiving this scholarship is a part of that.”
Dre-Quan Lee (Class of 2025) Ross University School of Medicine Ross University School of Medicine Scholarship
Being a first-generation college student, there was never an emphasis on education in my family.Chelsea Little (Class of 2024) Chamberlain University — Irving Campus Chamberlain University Scholarship
Often times I hear people say there isn’t help out here, but this award shows that there is help and people care about investing in one’s education.
I am beyond grateful for this scholarship. As someone who does not come from much financial support, this scholarship is a relief and has removed stress from my load already.
I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.”
Nicole Handloser (Class of 2025)
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Dr. Karl Stockhausen Memorial Scholarship
I feel more motivated to be the change that I want to see in the world. I chose the counseling career path because I feel that it is the most important part of children’s journey throughout school. They gain important information regarding their futures and what they plan to do with it in those settings. I truly appreciate and am grateful for my very first scholarship award.”
Tia Busby (Class of 2023) Walden University Walden University Education for Good ScholarshipJust this morning I was calculating my budget for the coming semester, stressing as I normally do.
how grateful I am to be one of the few who receive it. Thank you for supporting me in my journey, and bolstering my confidence in the field and in my fellow colleagues.”
Liam Kitson (Class of 2025)
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. John Coyne Veterinary Scholarship
This award means everything to me. It brings me one step closer to my dreams.
This scholarship allows me to focus on the most important aspect of school: learning.
I want you to know that this scholarship makes a huge impact on my life, and
The ‘Mother of all Garage Sales’ annually turns treasures of all shapes and sizes into funding to support students through the Dr. Karl Stockhausen Memorial Scholarship. “We’ve gotten everything from a sailboat to a fancy fur coat,” shares Karl’s mother, Carole Jean Stockhausen. “From clothes and books both new and rare to couches by the dozen or the pair, it’s become an annual community event that people look forward to.”
Now in its 24th year, the sale started when Carole Jean and her Girl Scout troop hosted a garage sale to earn enough money for the 13-year-olds to go to Savannah, GA, and visit the home of Girl Scout founder, Juliette Lowe. They raised $3,000 in year one, and another $4,000 the following year which meant they could finally make their planned trip. The girls had so much fun hosting the garage sale, they voted to make it an annual fundraiser and by 2004 had enough to go on an international camporee in West Sussex, England.
In the years that followed, the girls went off to college, but still enjoyed helping with the garage sale and community service. Some continue to be involved today. The proceeds from the sale have always been directed toward a good cause, but in 2015, after
Karl’s passing, a portion of what was raised each year started going toward the scholarship fund.
Today, donations for the sale are collected year-round and kept in a storage unit. When the sale is done, whatever remains is donated to 20-25 different agencies.
The Dr. Karl Stockhausen Memorial Scholarship has been awarded
to 20 students in the past eight years, providing $95,000 to assist medical students who have a strong dedication to the service of others and have overcome, or continue to have, financial, physical or cultural challenges on their way to becoming a physician in the service of others. The scholarship was created thanks to a sizeable donation by a friend of Karl’s who says he made such an impression on her that she wanted to state a scholarship in his honor.
“Many of the students who are awarded the Dr. Karl scholarship have stories that are as powerful as Karl’s,” says Carole Jean. “We are honored to be part of the process of choosing recipients that embody Karl’s ideals. He was such a giver and had such empathy, especially for those with chronic illnesses.”
We are honored to be part of the process of choosing recipients that embody Karl’s ideals.
“Just like Dr. Stockhausen, I also traveled to Guatemala and spent time working in a clinic. I conducted research at an HIV Clinic and examined the barriers interfering with patients’ access to comprehensive care. I studied their adherence to their medical treatment and analyzed the life factors and circumstances that were significantly associated with lack of adherence. For me, this experience was beyond rewarding and reiterated my passion to help others, especially those most in need. Karl’s work and dedication, even when he was facing illness himself, is really inspirational. I am glad that he is being recognized and his story is being told. It is important and beautiful.”
Jacqueline Nicholas (Class of 2024)
STOCKHAUSEN
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (Class of 2008)
Dr. Karl Stockhausen was known for his adventurous spirit, his love of traveling across the U.S. by motorcycle, and his passion for humanitarian efforts, serving twice in Honduras as part of a surgical medical team and spending three months in Guatemala working at free health care clinics. He did his clinical rotation in infectious diseases in Mubai, India, and thrived on learning about international health systems.
Karl was 24 years old and in medical school when he was afflicted with a rare eye disease, and 26 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He finished medical school with honors while battling cancer and secured a prestigious emergency medicine residency in New York before his cancer worsened. Although, ultimately losing his life to cancer, Karl did not allow his illness to diminish his indomitable spirit or his will to be of service to others.
DID YOU KNOW? 27% of Empower Scholarship Fund awards in 2022 were made possible thanks to individual donors and corporations who provided restricted funds for named scholarships.
27%
Providing $20,000 to support their mission of improving the lives of veterinarians, Heartland Veterinary Partners awarded eight scholarships worth $2,500 to students in their second and third year at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Heartland’s partnership also included support from Dr. Jessi Farris as she presented a Lunch & Learn with Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) credit for 100 students who attended the on-campus workshop.
“I am truly honored and grateful to represent Ross University and the LatinX community. This award not only validates all my hard work but offers encouragement and motivation to keep pursuing my dream. Success takes help so thank you Heartland Veterinary Partners for your generous financial support.”
Mariana Leiva (Class of 2024) Heartland Veterinary Partners Scholarship
The daughter of immigrant parents, Mariana spent hours at the library learning about cat anatomy and animal health when her childhood cat got sick and veterinary care wasn’t an option. Nursing her pet back to health led her toward a love for science. Mariana hopes to pursue small animal internal medicine.
Known for her smile, sense of humor and funny dancing, Jennifer Graham-Brown made an impact on students for more than a decade as a nursing educator. Her love of teaching pediatric students and motivation to become a nurse started when her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. Two students benefited in 2022 from a scholarship created to honor her legacy of making a difference for others.
“This scholarship gives me an opportunity to pursue the career of my dreams. It provides a sense of relief financially and mentally as I go into my last semester of nursing school. I chose to pursue a career in nursing to help make a difference in people’s lives.”
Rutza Fertil (Class of 2023)
JGB Nursing Scholarship
Chamberlain University — Miramar Campus
Raised in an under-resourced neighborhood, Rutza witnessed suffering that went untreated due to lack of healthcare services and costs. After graduation Rutza plans to work in the ER or ICU.
New to the Adtalem family of institutions, Walden University colleagues quickly jumped in to help establish a scholarship to support the students they serve. 32 scholarships were awarded in 2022 to students demonstrating how they plan to use their education for good.
“I chose the career path to educate low-and-middle income populations on burn prevention and safety after seeing an influx of burn injuries among seniors, homeless, maternity, and undocumented populations. When we see something that needs fixing and we have it in our power to do so, we do it! My goal after graduation is to start the first ever burn prevention outreach program in the DC metropolitan area.”
Angela White (Class of 2022)
Walden Education for Good Scholarship
Angela is a burn educator working toward her doctorate. She is the first in her family to attend college.
Participation from 22 sponsors, 57 individual donors and 131 participants representing 31 states and 2 countries...
Walden School of Counseling colleagues took top team honors signing up 36 runners and raising enough for two scholarships to be awarded in 2023 to students in their program.
Interested in getting involved in our next Together Strong 5K?
The Alumni Action Council at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) used the West Indies Veterinary Conference in St. Kitts as an opportunity for outreach. An evening event at Sprat Net, a local beachside restaurant, raffle and sales from a commissioned 40th Anniversary artwork raised nearly $7,000 for the RUSVM Alumni Action Council Scholarship Fund.
Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM)
Alumni raffled off a trip to Barbados, enticing alumni with a chance to visit campus while enjoying time back on the island. $9,000 was raised to establish the RUSM Alumni Scholarship Fund.
leadership from two institutions collaborated with Empower to raise funds for scholarships at their universities.
$10,000 & Above
Dr. Lanse T. Fox Organization
Susan Groenwald
Bill & Carole Stockhausen
Rachel Wright
$5,000 to $9,999
The Evanosky Foundation
Karen Cox
Norman & Susan Zareski
$2,500 to $4,999
Ashley Brown
Michael Buedel
Joanne Disch
Larry & Sarah Kerr
Julie Ann Raithel
$1,000 to $2,499
Douglas Beck
Jeanne DiPretoro
Sean Callanan
Georgette Kiser
Michael & Nydia McCrohan
Nancy Johnson
Allison Jones
Thomas Klisiewicz
Lisa List
Kelly & Michelle Pearce
Lisa Wardell
Connie Yarbo
$250 to $999
Sheryce Adams
Kashif Ahmad
William Barkley
Daniel Barry
Kenya Beard
Stephen Beard
Kimberly Brown
Alfred Cioffi
Jennifer Couvillon
Daniel Cullnan
Lennie Davis
Faith Dillard
Teresa Dodson
Cristina Dou
Shelly DuBois
David Duncan
James Emrath
Sonya Evanosky
Sean Gnecco
Karen Gutsmiedl
Rhonda McIntyre Francis
Trina Haley McMillan
Tiffany Hicks
Catherine Holton
Elizabeth Jendral
Tonya Jones
Shelley Jones-Pitts
Tyrhonda King
Kimberly LaMar
Wyan Lowe
Darrell Luzzo
Deniece Mensah
Catherine Mohammed
Dorothy Moore
Linda Moorehead
Kristin Murphy
Jill Okolita
Julie Ogren
Thomas O’Shea
Vikas Patel
Muller Pierre-Louis
Stephen Pryor
Linda Quast
Susan Rasmus
Sheryl Recinos
Stacy Reynolds
Patrick Rombalski
John Sanders
Carla Sanderson
William Schulz
Tracy Slemp
Laura Smith
Leann Statlander
Susan Subocz
Julie Taylor
Gargi Thakur
Nilar U
John White
Cheri Younce
Jami Abernathy
Emily Adamson
Michael Addabbo
Dean Michael Aguon
Sandra Ajugba
Aarian Aleahmad
Nicholas Alexander
Linx Alexanderson
Mahek Ali
Unzala Ali
William Allen
Katy Anderson
Tiffini Andorful
Alexandra Aragno
Mona Atta
Mickey Axelband
Kaci Axelson
Amy Bailey
Neil Bailey
Carrie Lynn Bailey
Amy Baker
Amanda Balch
Aileen Balizado
Radha Balwani
Julie Bankstahl
George Baptist
Xanthia Baptiste
Karlyn Barilovits
Kristina Barnett
Antonio Barrios
James Bartholomew
Ryan Bean
Deborah Bechtold
Mary-Lynn Bender
Joelle Bennett
Carmen Bennett
Kyle Bennett
Meredith Berger
Dina Bergren
Erica Bernard
Michael Betz
Sonal Bhatia
Terri Bien
Daniel Billman
Stephanie Black
Jennifer Blankenship
Keith Borchers
Scott Bosy
Richard Bowser
Nicole Bradley
Paula Brault
Joshua Braunstein
Jalika Breaux
Corinne Bridges
Cynthia Briggs
Taz Brinkerhoff
Eric Brosch
Erika Brosch
Michael Brown
Sydni Bruner
LaToya Buford
Rebecca Burhenne
Erica Burns
Lisa Burnside
Candice Calleri
Gweniviere Capron
Jon-Paul Carew
Christine Carey
Carol Carpenter
Gary Carson
Ashley Castelli
Jenna Cataldi
Vicike Chappell
Tri Chau
Alejandra Chavez Stuart
Andrew Chew
Jason Chin
Christina Chou
Shawn Clark
Alan Cohen
Melanie Coleman
Frank Collige
Terese Connolly
Amanda Conradie
Amber Cook
Kate Cook
Mary Cooper
Kiiva Copeland
Rebekah Cordero
Douglas Cotanche
Katherine Coulter
Emily Craigo
Marian Cronin
Jonathan Cuellar
Chayim Cunningham
Brian Curtis
Eileen Daily
Fouad Dakhlallah
Vanessa Damian-Marinez
John Danaher
Kelly Dardis
Joanne Darrah
Lori Davis
Edward Davis
Melissa Davis
Dawn DeFreitas
Kyle Decker
Jay Dennehy
Priyangani DeSoyza
Valerie DeVaughn
Balreet Dhami
Rachel Dilts
Cynthia Dixon
Emilie Dodd
Brooke Dolega
Amanda Dominique
Miriam Donis-Garcia
Kristine Dorsey
Stephanie Dreher
Teresa Drzewiecki
Summer Dugger
Jessica Duke
Suzie Dukic
Kelly Dunbar Davison
Laura Dwyer
LeKeysha Ehalen
Allison Ehrhardt
Timothy Elzinga
Susan Engle
Kaan Ercel
Maria Espinosa
Anna Espinoza
Donna Esposito
Justin Field
Sara Fine
Kelly Finelli
Kerwin Flaherty
Alexis Flanders
Susan Flower
Jason Fombi
Stephen Ford
Jane Forlenza
Jean Fournier
Christy Fraenza
Sherry Francies
Walter Frazier
Kara Freeman
Anne Frerichs
Louis Fulton
Tiffanie Fulton
Panagiotis Galanopoulos
Nikki Gallman
Jennifer Gavin
Amy Gfell
Melissa Gibson
Brandy Gilea
Louis Gilleran
Katie Gilles
Olga Gokova
Daniel Goldman
Danielle Gomez
Tyresha Gomez-Sam
Kimberly Goodly
Cynthia Gorham
Jacqueline Grantland
Geneva Gray
Kevin Green
Lorise Grey
Aarti Grover
Jason Grunes
Dawn Gubanc-Anderson
Kristen Gumbs
Laura Haider
Erika Halaweh
Kristina Harris
Caprina Harris
Keely Hartle
Greg Hartman
Lakeesha Hayes
Samantha Heiken
Don & Karen Hellwig
Erika Hendricks
Appiffany Henry
Maurice Herrera
John Herrin
Anne Marie Hodges
Amy Hoffman
Courtney Hogwood
Amy Holcombe
Linda Hollinger-Smith
Deja Holmes
Shania Hopwood
Ethan Horst
Whitney Hughes
Jody Huntington
Rachel Hurban
Robert Hurban
Myesha Hurt
Charles Hutchison
Melanie Jacobson
Cheryl James
Neil Jariwala
Eric Jenkins
Rachelle Jervis
William Jervis
Lisa Johnson
Melissa Johnson
Roxane Johnson
Chandra Johnson
Meagan Jones
Erica Jones
Sarah Jones
Melissa Jovel
Jennifer Kaczmarek
Ukoha Kalu
Armin Kamyab
Laura Karl
Kelly Keenan
Adam Kelly
John Kelly
Daniel & Alyse Kemple
Robin Marie Kessler
Monica Kielar
Diana Kimbal
Stacey Kinney
Jessica Kiss
Jennifer Knutson
Juli Konopa
Dana Kozlowski
Robert Kropidoski
Dorota Kulach
Luis Lacourt
Nathan LaFayette
Andrea LaRocco
Tona Leiker
Raimundo Leon
Ken LeRoy
Paul Lester
Kathleen Levingston
Zachary Lezberg
Danuta Lisak
Shawn Little
Jane Llewellyn
Erica Loeffler
Melanie Logue
Tina Lott
Rebecca Lovelock
Kenneth Luberice
Janine Lucas
Sharon Luksetich
Kathleen Lundgren
Monique Lynch
Danielle Mack
Hannah Maedgen
Kayla Makara
Hussain Malbari
Michele Manassah
Jacquelyn Manetakis
Peter Manzi
Crystal Marquez
Amanda Marshall
Tessa Marshall
Shenita Martin
Desiree Martin
Travis Masterson
Lincoln Matheson
Kate Mattera
Denise Mayo
Dawn McCalla
Patti McCoy
K. Elizabeth McDonald
Pamela McIntyre
Danielle McKinley
Sandra McQuillan-Dodd
Stephany Mejias
Maryann Meniru
Laura Mensik
Dana Meske
Erica Meyer
Jimmy MiddleBrook
Melkecia Milburn
David Miller
Rashunda Miller Reed
Tara Mills
Nishi Mishra
Ann Morgan
Sara Moubayed
Salimah Muhammad
Lisa Mumford
Jennifer Munro
Arvind Murali
Pamela Murphy
Chris Murray
Melissa Myers
Sirish Nakka
Marilyn Nedumcheril
Jaclyn Newall
Loreal Newson
Lindsey Nichols
LaSharita Nichols
Kevin Nolan
Marissa Novack
Aileen Novero
Agnes Nyeck
Embelli Okunade
Dria Olaleye
Marketa Oliver
Mercianna Oliver
John Oluwafemi
Julia Oppong
Gail Orzechowski
Jack Owens
Akua Oxendine
Rachel Palis
Ned Palmer
Cynthis Palmer
Sherrie Palmieri
Raiva Pandit
Nikaesha Paniagua
Kathryn Panigrahi
Stephen Pappachen
Diane Parry
Nick Paslidis
Steven Paul
Stephen Lordson Paulsam
Sarah Pavelka
Carol Pearson
Matthew Peddy
Diane Penland
Pricilla Perey
Omar Perez
Christine Persaud
Lisa Pertillar-Brevard
Valina Peters
Kevin Peterson
Robert Phelan
Sharon Phelps
Don Phelps
Shane Phenicie
Candice Phillips
Esther Pierre
Bobbijo Pinnelli
Marites Pinon
Sonya Powell
Bruce Powers
Jessica Pritchard
Ashley Ramirez
Whitney Ramsey
Sridhar Rayala
Matthew Reeves
Lauren Rengel
Maureen Resac
Sham Rich
Kyle Richards
David Richardson
Holly Rick
Lesley Riley
Cynthia Rinehart
Maribel Rivera Smith
Joseph Rizzo
Barbara Roach
John Robbins
John Robinson
Rachel Rodriguez
Erine Rojas
Poon Rollinson
Dami Romiluy
Kathleen Rossow
Sam Rothrock
Jamie Rottstock
Amanda Rovnak
Tamara Rozek
Ulrike Rudolf
Melissa Ruiz
Matthew Rupp
Thomas Ryan
Katelyn Salas
Mark Salemi
Nisha Sanathara
Alison Sass
Matthew Scales
Kristopher Schmidt
This profession has allowed me to combine my gifts, challenge my intellect, and fulfilled my desire to give back to my community.”
Ena Lacy (Class of 2023) Chamberlain University
Lisa Schroeder
Shay Schroetter
Brenda Scott
Marian Sebe
Joni Seidel-Burnett
Patricia Shafer
Ruchir Shah
Salil Shah
Reshma Shah
Matt Shealy
Shannon Shefferly
Talha Sheikh
Jessica Shepherd
Amy Sherer
Marta Sheridan
Kailey Sherrick
Laura Siaya
Jessica Silva
Kimberly Silva
Frank Skurpski
Elaine Smalling
Virginia Smith
Carolyn Snyder
Jason Soles
Hossein Solimany
Sreevishnu
Somasekharan Nair
Nina Spadaro
Richard Stapleton
Susan Stekel
Katarzyna Stelmach
Mary Stelmach-Hayes
Chandra Stone Moyse
Jeanne Tanos
Michele Taylor
Melissa Taylor
Lewis Taylor
Traci Test
Josie Thomas
Quincy Thomas
Joy Thomason
Jeffrey Tognola
Shannon Toher
Steven Tom
Terri Toomey
Jorge Trabanco
Alexandra Tran
Kristi Trapp
Evan Trent
Jenna Troidl
Linda Truelove
Julie Uribe
Andrew Vasconcellos
Melissa Villarreal
Mishbah Virani
Lauren Vitagliano
Deborah Wafer
Jami Walker
Susan Waltz
Kimberly Washington
Erica Watson
Wesley Weber
Dave Wehby
Lisette Wehmer
Michelle Weiszmann
Suzanne Wesson
Wendy White
Lorna White Perez
Joyce Whitlatch
Samuel Williams
Christine Williams
Tiffany Williams
Meredith Williamson
Amber Willis
Eric Wilson
Ebony Winfield
Kelly Winters
Charles Wiseman
Kim Witalis
David Woodruff
Di’Anna Wright
Kelly Yamada McKeown
Patricia Yoder-Wise
Robbin Young
Jessica Zandri
Patsy Zettler
Lisa Zimmerman
Joseph Zuckerman
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I am one of many ‘non-traditional’ students at Ross University, considering medicine is my second career. Any financial gift, large or small, helps get me one step closer to graduation. I look forward to the day in my medical career when I can pay this wonderful gift forward.”
Shanna Hutchins (Class of 2023) Ross University School of Medicine
Funds totaling $1,097,139 were transferred to the DeVry Scholarship Fund in July 2022 following an approved order from the Illinois Chancery Court. These funds had been raised for DeVry University students while the university was previously part of the Adtalem Global Education portfolio.
Empower Scholarship Fund
500 W. Monroe, Suite 1300 Chicago, IL 60661
630-353-7320
EmpowerScholarshipFund.org
We Encourage. We Inspire. We Motivate. We Empower.
