‘It Allowed Me to Step Out of Survival Mode’: UNCF Scholarship Sustains First-Generation College Student
As a first-generation college student, Madison Lynae Johnson entered college without a roadmap, relying instead on faith, determination and the desire to build a different life for herself. “There were times in my college journey where I genuinely didn’t know how I was going to make it through,” she shared.
That journey became more manageable when she received the 2025-2026 NAACP/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Scholarship through UNCF. This scholarship provides need-based, renewable awards to college sophomores who are enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year U.S. college or university.
This scholarship gave Johnson room to breathe. “I had been praying for some kind of breakthrough,” she said. “This scholarship didn’t just help financially; it gave me stability. It allowed me to step out of survival mode and actually be present as a student and be able to join on-campus organizations.”
With that support, Johnson was able to become more involved at UNCF-member institution Clark Atlanta University (CAU) and focus on the career she hopes to build in policy and public health.
Johnson was also selected to participate in the 2025 UNCF K-12 Education Fellowship. In addition, she attended the 2025 UNCF Student Leadership Conference and a UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball in 2024.
Originally interested in becoming a lawyer, Johnson chose political science after encouragement from a high school counselor. Her studies at CAU helped her better understand how policy shapes everyday life and impacts underserved communities. “Everything involves politics,” she said. “It set me up for understanding policy advocacy and reform.”
Over time, her interests shifted toward healthcare equity after witnessing loved ones struggle to access medical care and resources. “I know that I want to make change within healthcare,” she explained. “Public health is political, and I realized I could put those two things together and make a change.”
This month, Johnson will graduate from CAU. Next, she plans to attend Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta to pursue a master’s of public health in behavioral sciences and health education. She hopes to work in policy advocacy, helping to create equitable systems that improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
Johnson’s most meaningful experiences during her undergraduate years were leadership and service. During her time at CAU, she developed Maddie’s Mentoring: Daughters of Legacy, an initiative supporting girls ages 11-18 in underserved Atlanta communities. The supportive environment provides mentorship, information on career readiness and helps girls develop leadership skills and build confidence.
The program was inspired by her own experiences navigating financial and emotional challenges while pursuing higher education. “Everyone doesn’t always have parents that went to college,” Johnson said. “But that doesn’t make you any less worthy of getting the same chance as another person. There were times I wished someone had told me how to navigate through this. I’m giving back in a way that wasn’t given to me.”
To students navigating uncertainty, Johnson hopes her story will serve as encouragement. “Your journey will not be perfect, but that does not make it any less meaningful,” she said. “You are allowed to grow, to struggle and to figure things out as you go. That is part of becoming.”
“I wouldn’t be where I am without God and the support of my family and my friends,” she added.
And to the UNCF donors and supporters who invest in students, she offered heartfelt thanks. “You are creating opportunities for students who may not always have access,” she shared. “You are restoring hope in moments where it may feel lost, and you are investing in futures that will go on to impact communities far beyond what you may ever see.
“Because of you, students like me are able to continue when things feel uncertain,” she continued. “Your support becomes a part of our story.”
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 Madison Lynae Johnson in their academic endeavors.