To be where I am today as a doctoral candidate, I am extremely thankful for the Thompsons who have played a major role in my journey. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Central High School. At the time, Central was one of the lowest performing high schools in the city of Detroit. Coming from a failing high school, I always wanted more and I saw college as my opportunity to achieve that.

Upon graduating from Central as class president and valedictorian, I attended BGSU on a full-ride scholarship through the President’s Leadership Academy as a Thompson Scholar. I entered college with the hopes of becoming a high school math teacher. I wanted to give students the opportunity to access a better quality of education than I had experienced myself. Without the Thompson scholarship, that dream would not have been made possible!

Not having the financial worries allowed me to focus 100% on my academics. Beyond financial support, this scholarship helped shape me into the leader I am today. Furthermore, it has helped me develop relationships with people who also have strong leadership abilities, some of whom have become my lifelong friends. I am forever grateful for the opportunity that the Thompsons have provided for me and other scholars, simply by believing in us. That alone has given me courage to believe in myself.

Since graduating, I’ve earned a master’s degree in counselor education and I am a semester away from obtaining my doctorate in counselor education and supervision. With this Ph.D., it is my goal to give my students the same type of encouragement, support, and hope that they can also accomplish their goals, just as the Thompsons have done for me.