From First Generation College Student to Future Dentist with UNCF’s Support
E’Miaya Lewis from Memphis, TN, was awarded the Wilma Warburg Scholarship and the Goldman Sachs HBCU Scholarship, administered by UNCF. The first-generation college student recently graduated with a degree in biology from LeMoyne-Owen College, a UNCF-member institution.
She credits UNCF for supporting her through the college experience. Her family was not familiar with the college process. “Taking the school route was a new and different path for my family to understand,” Lewis shared. “UNCF has truly lived up to its motto, ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste®.’”
The UNCF scholarships Lewis received lifted the financial burden of obtaining a college education, helping Lewis focus on her coursework and gain more experience in her major. Through UNCF scholarships, she was able to devote more time to networking, learning from mentors and becoming involved in campus activities.
“Without the support of UNCF, my academic journey would look very different,” she said. “I may not have been able to maintain a 3.0 GPA, which would have prevented me from participating in opportunities like the HBCU Wellness Project, where I conducted and presented research on prostate cancer.”
On campus, Lewis held numerous leadership roles and participated in volunteer work. She was a treasurer for Culture for Change, a grassroots organization that empowers women and youth to address cultural, social and financial challenges to create a positive future. Volunteering allowed Lewis to develop leadership and organizational skills while giving back to her community.
Choosing LeMoyne-Owen College was a “special and meaningful choice,” said Lewis. “I knew it was the right choice for me because of its small campus environment, which allowed for a low student to professor ratio. This made it easier to build relationships with my professors, who were always willing to provide support, guidance and encouragement to help me succeed.”
Lewis was able to fully immerse herself in all the opportunities her college had to offer and reduce financial stress without working multiple jobs to bridge the gap. The three-time UNCF scholarship recipient encourages students to take the time to apply for scholarships.
“These scholarships aren’t only for financial support, but the opportunity for growth,” she said. “You never know what opportunities may come from believing in yourself, taking the first step and not denying yourself of opportunities.”
Now that Lewis has graduated, she is studying for the dental admission test and plans to apply to dentistry school. She’s passionate about providing healthcare to underserved communities.
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 E’Miaya Lewis in their academic endeavors.