Testimonials
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I am 21 years old originating from Brooklyn, New York. I am both a graduate and current student at Binghamton University. I am forever grateful for the support I received from the Nikki Scott Scholarship for four years. I am excited to share the story of my college experience.
I graduated from the Academy for Young Writers, a small school in Brooklyn with a graduating class of 68 students. I was accepted into Binghamton University’s Fall 2016 class gaining acceptance into my dream school. I also received news that I was the recipient of the Nikki Scott Scholarship that year and was excited at the prospect of the additional support. When I entered the campus, I was really overwhelmed with the size of the school. Whilst Binghamton is itself a small-medium-sized institution, there are approximately 17,000 students! Compared to a high school size of 600 students, I was greatly unprepared to give up the feeling of a smaller school and concerned about my ability to form interpersonal and impactful relationships. However, my experience was more engaging than I ever imagined. My involvement over each year grew greatly, exponentially expanding my leadership and extending my skills in ways I had never imagined.
As an undergraduate student, I majored in Political Science and Geography: Urban Planning. I am now completing a Master of Business Administration degree. My time with the University’s Student Association gave me an opportunity to manage a budget of almost $400,000, coordinate the activities of an entire programming board and have an impact on events here at the University. My time in the ASL Club allowed me to have a more educational experience, learning a language I had started to enjoy with my sister in high school and have the opportunity to delve more deeply into the beautiful language and lives of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. These and so many experiences did more for me than my time in the classroom, they gave me creative license, passion, and an incredible set of skills I will use for the rest of my life.
I think back to when I first started here at Binghamton–not knowing that the only limit to my potential was my imagination. I am incredibly grateful for the support of my friends, family, the Nikki Scott Scholarship Committee and so many others for giving me this opportunity. I would not be the person I am today without this experience and I am forever grateful for allowing myself to delve into my fear and experience this life-changing opportunity.
CW,
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Going to college was such a rewarding experience for me. My degree allowed me to get a job as a high school French teacher this year. Teaching is my calling and there is nothing that I enjoy more than educating my students. I plan to continue my education by obtaining a master's degree in Instructional Leadership with the option for licensure in School Administration. Continuing education is a great way to learn more about your field of study and I highly recommend pursuing a master's degree. Whatever you decide to major in, I know that college will be a fun and intellectually rewarding experience for you. I am eternally grateful to the Nicole (Nikki) D. Scott Scholarship Fund for supporting me in my college endeavors. I wish you the best of luck on your college journey.
HAS,Nikki was such a brilliant, vivacious, funny, supportive, and inspiring person. Her guidance and mentorship provided invaluable support every step of the way as I worked to design the Bronx Envision Academy. I will never forget hearing from Nikki when she called to let me know that “Envision Academy” was approved to open. I felt a little like Justin, Gabriel, Pilar, Elton, and Samuel today: ecstatic, grateful, and proud. Creating a new school from scratch has been a true privilege, and supporting our students as they prepare for college is an enormous responsibility (and for many, they will be the first in their families to attend college). I’m not entirely sure how to express it, but I find it very moving that the scholarship allows Nikki to continue changing the lives of wonderful young women and men. I am so grateful that her support continues for the students of Bronx Envision Academy.
ES,