5 minute read
How Scholarships Create Possibilities
By Caitlin Mendenhall, Public Relations Undergraduate Student
Leah Holt
Leah Holt is a first-generation transfer student from Kansas City, Kansas, majoring in Health Studies with a minor in Nutrition. She received the Katzentine/ Carswell/Cheatham Scholarship.
“At a time of uncertainty, this scholarship provided me an opportunity to continue my education and also my experience here as a Mule,” Leah says. “I’m proud of the work I’ve been able to do within my short time here, and although I’m excited for what’s to come, I’m even more thankful for the opportunity of just being able to attend this great university.”
Leah is involved in the Association of Black Collegians, Sisters of Ujima, the Honors College, the Health Studies Student Leadership Committee and Paramedico, a student organization that does health-carerelated community service.
Leah became a McNair Scholar through the federal TRIO program aimed at helping first-generation, low-income undergraduates prepare for graduate study. After graduation in May, she plans on attending graduate school to study public health.
Mauro Hernandez
Mauro Hernandez is a first-generation student from Monett, Missouri, who came to UCM to pursue his dream of flying. In addition to learning to fly in the Professional Pilot degree program, he had the opportunity to fly to another country for the first time, thanks to the Global Vision Scholarship, made possible by a generous anonymous gift to the UCM Alumni Foundation.
Mauro and 14 other students traveled to Nepal in May 2024 on an all-expenses-paid service-learning trip.
“My parents immigrated from Mexico with no high school education,” Mauro says. “If it wasn’t for my high school teacher Mr. Marcus Reynolds [’02], an alum from UCM, I would have regretted not following my dreams. … I am beyond grateful for his guidance and advice because UCM has truly opened up a whole new world for me!”
For the 2024–25 academic year, Mauro received the Kenneth W. Thomason Aviation Opportunity Scholarship. After graduating in May 2027, he wants a high-flying career — potentially as a bush pilot, aerial firefighter, crop duster or pilot for sightseeing tours.
Hadley Oden
Hadley Oden is a first-generation student from Hermann, Missouri, majoring in Criminal Justice, with minors in History, Political Science, and Legal Studies. She received the Sandra Temple and Ed M. Elliott Family Scholarship and the Leslie J. McClure Krasner Criminal Justice Scholarship.
“I have worked hard throughout my educational career this far to get where I am, and am incredibly excited to see what the future holds,” Hadley says. “I proudly have been able to pay for my schooling myself so far, but I know that I couldn’t have done it without the support and generosity of scholarships.”
Hadley is captain of the Mock Trial team and served as chair of the Sustainability Committee of the Student Government Association. She also holds a distinguished position as the student representative for UCM’s Board of Governors.
After graduating in May, Hadley plans to attend law school and eventually return to her hometown to work in a general practice firm.
Ethan Gerst
Ethan Gerst is a first-generation student from De Soto, Missouri, majoring in Economics with a minor in Aviation. He received the Craig R. Korvas Memorial Scholarship in Aviation, the Department of Aviation Scholarship and the Global Vision Scholarship.
“My time at UCM has been instrumental in shaping my academic and professional journey,” Ethan says. “The university’s robust programs, supportive faculty and opportunities for extracurricular involvement have prepared me to pursue my dreams in the financial and aviation industries with confidence and determination.”
Ethan holds an on-campus position in the Career and Life Design Center as the lead Walk-In Studio Experience (WISE) coach.
Ethan beat out 45,000 applicants to earn one of 289 internships at United Airlines this summer and was offered a position as an associate analyst on the company’s Financial Planning and Analysis team in Chicago. He plans to start full time after graduation in May.
Neely Humphrey
Neely Humphrey, ’24, was a first-generation student from Payson, Illinois, who earned her degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communication. She received the Mary Beth Vogt Bailey Sigma Sigma Sigma Scholarship in her senior year at UCM.
“This scholarship helped me pay toward my tuition for my final semester without having to take out student loans,” Neely says. “This was such a blessing and one that I certainly do not take for granted.”
Neely was chapter president of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and served on the leadership team for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also held two campus jobs, in the Registrar’s Office and as a personal trainer at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
After graduating in May 2024, Neely continued working at a marketing agency and now offers contractual services for businesses in the realm of marketing, copywriting and advertising.
Mingzhu Zhu
Mingzhu Zhu was an international student from Guangzhou, China, who earned her MBA with a concentration in Marketing in May 2024. Her tuition was fully covered by the Adrian and Margaret Harmon Business Graduate Scholarship.
“The scholarship really helped me validate what I was working on and that I’m putting effort there and somebody sees that,” says Mingzhu. “It makes me really proud.”
Mingzhu served as promotions manager for UCM’s student newspaper, the Muleskinner, and as a communication specialist for International Student Services. She previously worked as a reporter and photographer at the Washburn Review, the student publication for Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media with an emphasis in Creative Advertising and a minor in Theatre in spring 2022.
Mingzhu is currently pursuing a Teaching English as a Second Language Graduate Certificate at UCM and considering a Ph.D. in marketing or communications.
