Investing in the Future: UNCF Scholarships Empower Young Leaders in STEM
Madisyn Sanders of Pine Bluff, Arkansas was recently awarded the STEM Scholars Program, administered by UNCF. Sanders, a first-generation college student at Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is studying pre-med biology.
The UNCF STEM Scholars Program provides high school students who will pursue a career in STEM with scholarships, internships, mentoring and other tools to help them reach their goals. The STEM scholars attend a leadership summit to connect with their cohort, map out their academic goals and hear from current Black professionals in STEM fields.
“I was blessed this past summer to receive the UNCF STEM Scholars Program Scholarship worth $25,000,” said Sanders, a freshman at CAU. “This program and scholarship have given me so many opportunities that it has made me emotional.” UNCF scholarships and programming help students strengthen their professional development skills and provide them with an expansive support network which includes mentoring programs.
“This scholarship has not only helped me financially, but it is helping me mentally, psychologically and academically,” she said. “They have connected me to a financial advisor, an intern program, a resume reviewer, tutors, a therapist, spiritual health programs and more.” Sanders added that the UNCF STEM Scholars Program taught her how to become a confident public speaker, networker and impactful leader.
Through her experience as a UNCF STEM scholar, she gained the confidence to apply for leadership roles. Currently, she’s running for the senator position in the Isabella T. Jenkins Honors Program at CAU. This role serves as a liaison between students in the honors program and the university, planning and promoting events.
In addition to the financial support of UNCF scholarships, Sanders was provided with resources that helped her adjust to college. “I want to give a thank you to the UNCF STEM Scholars Program because as a first-generation student I didn’t have connections,” she said. “The program helped me navigate my way through college and stay on track.”
Sanders advises HBCU students to apply for UNCF scholarships to receive assistance in their college journey, especially first-generation college students. “I genuinely had no guidance when it came to higher education and felt very behind,” she shared. “I voiced my concerns, and [UNCF] made me feel so welcomed and seen.” She believes every HBCU student deserves support and resources. “UNCF is a very reliable source and catered to [HBCU students],” she said.
As a freshman at CAU, Sanders reflects on her most memorable experience, “Welcome Week”. She loved making connections with her class, upperclassmen and alumni. She said learning the rich history of the university, networking and always having support are some of the factors that make her love her university.
After graduation, Sanders plans to attend medical school to become a doctor specializing in anesthesiology and then to continue research on neuroscience.
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 Madisyn Sanders in their academic endeavors.