UNCF Scholarship Has Profound Impact on Education 

Tricia Nweke, a rising sophomore at Emory University, received the Slater-Millner Scholars Fund from UNCF. The scholarship helped to alleviate the financial burden of a college education.

“The Slater-Millner Scholars Fund has had a profound impact on my education,” she said. “As a low-income student, I often felt like I was starting my pre-med journey miles behind my peers. Balancing academics, personal life and professional goals, while working two jobs to help pay tuition, was an overwhelming burden.”

Nweke is not a first-generation college student, though her parents earned college degrees in their home country of Nigeria. “Because they earned degrees in our home country and know little about the American college system, I still consider myself a first-generation college student,” she shared. Her father received a bachelor’s degree from Federal Polytechnic Nekede, a master’s degree from the Federal University of Technology—Owerri and a Ph.D. from Northcentral University in Arizona, while her mother received a bachelor’s degree from University of Nigeria, Nsukka and an associate’s degree from Houston Community College.

In partnership with UNCF, Dr. Nancy Slater and Dr. Alan Millner developed the scholarship to provide financial assistance to sophomores who are on a pre-med track with a demonstrated interest in serving underserved communities. The program, administered by UNCF, also offers mentorship and advising services through the Ascension Medical Educators – Aspiring Physicians Program. The Aspiring Physicians Program offers recipients monthly webinars focused on topics like professional identity, Medical College Admission Test prep and one-on-one academic advising.

“This scholarship has not only eased my financial stress but also transformed my personal and academic journey,” Nweke continued. “Beyond the financial support, the mentorship and professional guidance from the program have been invaluable. It’s as if advice keeps me on the right path, while the scholarship ensures I have the resources to follow it.”

Nweke, a neuroscience and behavioral biology major, is working to become an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). She wants to stay involved in research. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and obtain an MD.

Nweke wanted to move to a different state for college. “Growing up in Houston, I didn’t want to leave the city life,” she explained. “In my early days of researching colleges, I often filtered for fairly large universities in big cities in the south. From there, I made sure the curriculum would allow me to easily switch majors without falling ‘behind,’ as I was mostly undecided in my senior year of high school. These factors, along with a huge consideration for the school’s financial aid capacity, led me to Emory University, and I could not be happier with the decision I made.”

Freshman year homecoming was Nweke’s most memorable experience so far at Emory. “Even though we do not have a football team, Emory brings performers to our quad for a large concert every year,” she said. “That night, watching my peers let go of the pressures of our rigorous academics reminded me that I’m not alone in this journey. Surrounded by a community of students who share the same dreams and challenges, I felt a renewed sense of belonging knowing I had people to confide in, relate to and grow alongside on the path to medical school.”

The scholarship from UNCF and Dr. Nancy Slater and Dr. Alan Millner provided Nweke with financial support as well as opportunities to learn more about medical careers. “I am very, very grateful to UNCF and their donors for allowing me the opportunity to chase my dreams,” she said.

UNCF is proud of our students and alumni who have received scholarships that help them continue their education and graduate. These scholarships are invaluable to students, and UNCF is accepting donations to support students like Tricia Nweke in their academic endeavors.