11 minute read
Setting Up Success
How can a scholarship from the Tri Sigma Foundation help set members on the right path to success?
We checked in with some past scholarship recipients to see where life has taken them.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Psi–Marshall UniversityOCCUPATION: Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of West Virginia
Receiving a Foundation scholarship helped me graduate with my undergraduate degree without any loans. Most people don’t realize that your debt load can really hamper your ability to have a legal career you’re passionate about—you can’t work at a nonprofit if you have six figures of debt to pay off. Having a lesser debt load has meant I’ve been able to spend my entire career working for the federal government. I feel like I owe it to the next generation of Sigmas to keep giving back.
I spent 7 years as a federal judicial law clerk before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2023. A lot of people have a negative perception of America’s criminal justice system (for good reasons). For some—particularly those struggling with addiction—the court system provides the access and motivation to seek treatment. It is honestly amazing to see how different someone can be between an initial court appearance and sentencing. I can think of one woman in particular who not only got sober, but also enrolled in college. I am so proud of her progress and can’t wait to see what she does in the future. Having a part in her recovery makes me proud of what I do and want to keep doing it.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Beta Xi–Southeast Missouri State UniversityOCCUPATION: Actor/Performer
Being accepted into Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Emerging Professional Residency Program has been one of my proudest moments. It is an extremely prestigious program and does amazing work. To have the honor of being selected to learn and grow within the program has been the highlight of my young career. I will return this winter for their annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”
Since moving to Milwaukee in 2022, I have worked consistently in the arts, performing for audiences as large as 1,500 and intimate as just 20—on stages, screen and in the classroom. I have made invaluable connections with people in the theater industry and working in local, regional and children's theaters around Milwaukee and in Chicago.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Zeta Epsilon–Florida International University OCCUPATION: Regional Director, EF High School Exchange Year
While I've worn many professional hats, I've settled into a career path in operations and management in education and education-adjacent roles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized I was ready to do something outside of the traditional college campus setting. I found my way to EF Education First, the largest private education company in the world, and started working as a regional director for their non-profit high school exchange program. It’s been a fun pivot where I get to support global families and impact individuals who are expanding their world views because of the people they are living with and studying with. Last year, I won the EF Education First Denver’s "Nothing is Impossible" Core Value Award. It was amazing being recognized for my tenacity and adaptability by my peers and my team.
I would have never been able to afford my master's program without the scholarship I received from the Tri Sigma Foundation. I was so honored that the Foundation saw something in me, I worked even harder to finish with a 4.0 GPA!
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Alpha Chi–Murray State University OCCUPATION: Senior Event Planner, Lions Clubs International
My career began in fundraising, but I found my real passion in event planning and logistics. After serving as Meeting Planner at the 2016 Convention, I discovered that managing complex events and handling intricate details aligns more with my interests and strengths. It led me to a rewarding job where I get to drive innovative ideas, execute successful conferences, and enhance the attendee experience.
Earning my Certified Meeting Professional certification has also impacted my career opportunities. The intensive 16-weeks of study and preparation deepened my expertise in meeting management and broadened my career opportunities. It has enhanced my daily operations and opened doors to major projects—including planning logistics for an international conference with more than 12,000 attendees!
The scholarship I received from the Tri Sigma Foundation was instrumental in helping me achieve my career goals by enabling me to pursue an MBA. The opportunities and experiences as a collegian, national volunteer, and scholarship recipient have profoundly impacted me and significantly changed my life. I want to ensure others have similar opportunities by giving back to the Foundation.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Zeta Psi–College of New JerseyOCCUPATION: Senior Manager, Human Resources & Talent, Partnership for Public Service
I originally planned to go into human resources and organizational development, but campus involvement and leadership led me to a career in student affairs. My first job postgraduation was as a Tri Sigma Leadership Consultant. I worked in institutional research while pursuing grad school and interned in the campus counseling center. That led me to campus housing and residence life. After 15 years in higher education, I now serve in a human resources role at a nonprofit where I've been for 9 years.
The scholarship was incredibly valuable, as I had no financial aid and was paying for graduate school by working full-time. Some of my proudest moments have been in Tri Sigma, including serving on the 2019–22 Executive Council and joining the Foundation Board in 2022. From receiving my Foundation scholarship in 2005 and serving as a scholarship reader for the past 15 years, it’s truly a full-circle moment as I now chair the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee!
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Alpha Beta–Kent State UniversityOCCUPATION: Livestock Manager, Lake Metroparks Farmpark
As the livestock manager at an agricultural educational facility, I oversee the care of farm animals that people can see, pet, and learn about. The center is a working farm with dairy cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits, horses, alpacas, and goats. The education center allows visitors to learn about our agricultural heritage and see where our food and fiber comes from. I grew up on a farm and I have been able to apply my past experiences and my degree in environmental and conservation biology to do well in my position.
My scholarship helped me graduate debt-free, which has been a game changer in my career and allowed me to achieve financial goals shortly after graduation.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Alpha Iota–Northeastern State UniversityOCCUPATION: Archive & Exhibition Assistant, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan Centers
While I always wanted to be a high school history teacher, my interest in history led me to my current career in museum and historical archive preservation. At the iconic Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan Centers, I assist in preserving books, historical documents, and ephemera, and help create exhibits, like the Love Saves the Day: The Subterranean History of American Disco exhibit at the Woody Guthrie Center in 2023. Watching all our hard work come together was inspiring! I hope to one day become a head archivist or archive director at a museum or university.
The Tri Sigma Foundation Scholarship I received allowed me to reduce my hours at my paid job to take an unpaid library internship. That opportunity opened the doors that led me to my current role.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Theta Gamma–McKendree UniversityOCCUPATION: Literacy Specialist, Freeburg Elementary School
I went to college to become an elementary school teacher in the traditional classroom setting. However, upon graduation, I obtained a position within the Response to Intervention reading program at an elementary school. I loved working with striving readers and providing interventions at this critical time in their development.
That experience inspired me to obtain a master's degree in literacy education and become a Certified Literacy Specialist. The scholarship I received from the Tri Sigma Foundation helped me reach those goals—and now I have a career I love!
Giving back to Tri Sigma and the Tri Sigma Foundation is important to me because I have "received much" through my membership, including leadership skills, confidence, and scholarship funding to help me pursue my career goals. I want to continue to learn and grow to better meet the needs of all of my students.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Zeta Kappa–Montclair State UniversityOCCUPATION: Assignment Desk Production Assistant, NBC 4 New York
Working for NBC 4 New York at the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza building was a longtime dream of mine that came true. The scholarship I received from the Tri Sigma Foundation helped me pay for my education at Montclair State University where I made the connections I needed to work for the top news market in the country. I support all aspects of our newsroom—from fulfilling producer requests, printing scripts for anchors while they are live on TV, and confirming breaking news as we receive it. As an entry level employee, my team has been wonderful letting me explore other areas of the newsroom. I have gone on field shoots at Radio City Music Hall and interviews with the weekly host of Saturday Night Live.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Theta Zeta–Case Western Reserve UniversityOCCUPATION: Pediatric Critical Care Nurse, Masonic Children's Hospital and St. Croix Valley Sexual Assault Response Team
I graduated with a degree in anthropology and originally wanted to become a forensic anthropologist. That path led me to becoming a nurse and eventually a forensic nurse examiner. I'm one of only a few nurses who is triple-board certified in forensics for both pediatric and adult patients. As a trained clinical nurse specialist, I work in pediatric critical care where I float between the cardiovascular ICU, pediatric ICU, and ER.
I have several degrees, including a doctorate. Receiving a Tri Sigma Foundation scholarship helped me fund my education goals and get to where I am today.
Nursing is a tough but amazing career. One of the proudest moments of my career is leading an executive order during the COVID-19 pandemic that protected patients and nurses throughout Colorado. I have also helped pass legislation as a policy fellow for Colorado's Health and Insurance Committee and served on the health policy committee for a presidential candidate. I would love to be more involved in the health policy arena; I hope to continue changing healthcare.
COLLEGIATE CHAPTER: Zeta Mu–University of Alaska FairbanksOCCUPATION: Adjunct Professor, Univ. of Alaska Anchorage; Teacher, Holy Rosary Academy, Artist
The Tri Sigma Foundation scholarships I received were instrumental in helping me achieve my undergraduate degree. They helped set the stage for my master's and doctoral degrees. While it seems like a lot of education, it has been essential for my career and the path I’ve taken.
I studied biology as an undergraduate but fell in love with teaching while completing my PhD in art history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. After teaching in the UK for 5 years, I moved back to Alaska and teach at both the high school and college levels. I believe art and art history are crucial for a fuller view of humanity and human history.
I am very proud to call myself a published author and nationally award-winning artist for charcoal portraiture and printmaking. Additionally, I worked on a major project in the UK cataloging paintings in public collections.
Endowing Leadership & Education
An endowment is a permanent fund established to provide ongoing financial support for a Tri Sigma cause important to you. When you create an endowment of $25,000 or more, your gift is invested through the Foundation, and the annual returns are used to fund these programs or initiatives.
Endowments can be established by an individual, family, chapter, or group with a gift payable over a 5-year period. Endowing a scholarship has a profound impact on the lives of our members, and allows you to support the educational and career goals of Tri Sigma women for generations to come. They can also be part of a your estate planning and reduce tax burdens while leaving a legacy.
Your endowment will ensure initiatives important to you are funded year after year. Endowments can fund a variety of leadership and educational needs, such as:
The Fowler Family Scholarship established by Jennifer Fowler to honor her mother by supporting women pursuing a degree in fine arts or museum studies.
The Destination Sigma Fund established by an anonymous donor to provide scholarships to help collegiate delegates attending Convention.
The Elizabeth & Fred Hoffert Endowment Fund for Leadership established by Liz Hoffert to ensure annual support for leadership programs and initiatives.
Learn more by contacting Advancement Officer Summer Sage at (540) 459-4212 or ssage@trisigma.org
