We are proud to announce the five finalists for the 2016 DiversityJobs Scholarship award, which include a future doctor, environmental hydrologist, marketing professional, lawyer, veterinarian, and school psychologist. We received thousands of exceptional applications, but we feel that these candidates showed the best combination of passion, integrity, and dedication to their chosen fields of study.
Now we need your help in choosing the one scholarship award winner! The final selection process will involve three different factors:
- outside voting (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media options on the left side of the essays)
- comments left by visitors
- the DiversityJobs Scholarship committee’s scoring of the student’s application and essay
The one winner will be announced on Friday July 15th. Please help us with our selection by voting for your favorite essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options on the left side of the essays) and by leaving comments or clicking the ‘star’ icon above the comments section.
Erin Gray, Environmental Hydrology
Drought in the American West has thrown water conservation into the spotlight. Average citizens are becoming more aware of water issues, and as a resident of Southern Arizona and a believer in individual advocacy and education, I believe that this cultural shift is long overdue. As water levels in Lake Mead continue to drop, Arizona is threatened by a reduction of its allotment of the water supply. My concern for the future water security of the Southwest inspired me to pursue a career in hydrology.
Ajit Samra, Marketing
I feel that my education will help me to become a strong resource and advocate for children and families who need additional academic and social-emotional supports. In my capacity as a school psychologist, I can help teachers and administrators to provide strong academic and social supports to all students, to identify and support students who need additional help, and to pinpoint areas of difficulty and potential interventions for those students with the most needs.
Oumou Jeanne Keita, Law
Until about age 10, whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I alternated between a doctor and a lawyer. I suppose that’s because two of my role models were my pediatrician Pamela Black, and my immigration lawyer Gloria Goldman. These women were quite similar. They were both so tall and confident. Even at 6, I just knew they were incredibly intelligent. Dr. Black could ask me some random questions, poke and prod for a minute, then exactly determine what was wrong. It was like she was solving one of those 500 piece puzzles in her head but she didn’t even have the box to look at.
Sophia Leone, Veterinary Medicine
A veterinarian helps you make the toughest decisions you’ll ever make when it comes to your animals. The veterinary career is owned by a group of individuals that are 150% dedicated to their passion and what they are doing in their day-to-day life and helping people and animals reach a better point in their lives. It is a great desire of mine to join this group of dedicated individuals that are highly motivated and very compassionate.
Laura Kerry–Henkel, School Psychology
I feel that my education will help me to become a strong resource and advocate for children and families who need additional academic and social-emotional supports. In my capacity as a school psychologist, I can help teachers and administrators to provide strong academic and social supports to all students, to identify and support students who need additional help, and to pinpoint areas of difficulty and potential interventions for those students with the most needs.