Joplin Student Receives Trustees Scholarship

UMKC group awards seven for 2016

Jennifer Nguyen, a Joplin, Mo., resident and a spring 2016 graduate of Joplin High School, has been named a University of Missouri-Kansas City Trustees’ Scholar.

When Nguyen enters the Bachelor of Science in Biology program at UMKC in the fall, she will receive a scholarship valued at $60,000 over four years. Her award is supported by the UMKC Board of Trustees, the founder of the scholarship program.

Nguyen, who graduated third in a class of 469, was a member of the Student Council, the Key Club, the National Honor Society, the National English Society and the Spyglass Magazine staff.

She was awarded the Joplin School District Leadership Award and served as a Missouri Girls State House of Representatives Majority Leader. Active in her community, Nguyen belonged to the Messengers of Christ Youth, a Camp Re-New-All volunteer junior counselor and a Joplin High School summer school science tutor.

In the essay submitted to the Trustees’ Scholars selection committee, Nguyen explained her decision to pursue a pre-education degree at UMKC.

“Don’t just be a story; create a new one. One philosophy has remained consistent with me: every individual has a story to share, and each individual’s story is unique to his or her own experiences. In the process of furthering my own story, I see it as a societal responsibility to aid in the creation of others’ stories. By passing on my knowledge to the future of society and motivating individuals to positively influence the stories of their future generations, I can help others to thrive just as those who have allowed me to thrive intellectually, socially and culturally. And one day, maybe, they’ll think ‘Don’t just be a story; create a new one.’ ”

The Trustees Scholarship provides educational fees and on-campus room and board for the first two years. In the third and fourth years, the package provides educational fees and $2,000 for room and board. Each Trustees’ Scholar also receives $500 toward books each year.

To qualify as Trustees’ Scholars, students must meet at least two of the following three criteria: score a minimum ACT Composite of 30, rank in the top five percent of the graduating class, or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or more in a 17-class core curriculum. Trustees’ Scholars must enroll full time, be seeking an undergraduate degree and commit to living on campus for the first two years.

The UMKC Trustees’ Scholars Program is unique in that it aligns students closely with corporate sponsors, who give students access to their professional knowledge and experience, insight into the inner workings of the company or institution they represent, and a strong mentor relationship throughout the college experience. Students have opportunities to network and find internships or jobs through the Trustees and their connections in the community.


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