We’re lowering financial barriers to higher education. You can help.

Shaina L. Adams

Shaina Adams, a sophomore at Harvard University, is majoring in Economics and East Asian Studies. She has been studying Japanese since the eighth grade and recently put her language skills to use during a summer internship in Tokyo with the Harvard Business School. “I find business is a really cool way to learn about the world and address the problems we see in it,” she says. “Everyone interacts with business. Everyone’s participating in a market. I think it’s interesting to think about how businesses impact people’s lives, how they can provide solutions.”

After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in international business, perhaps as a consultant. “My power lies in helping people with strong passions better achieve the goals they have. I want to work on different businesses at the same time, help them provide their services and achieve their goals,” she says.  

Celestina Aladesuru

Celestina Aladesuru is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to entering the graduate program, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and worked as a legal assistant in a law firm specializing in civil rights employment. Her experiences at the firm influenced her decision to become a human resources professional.

“One time, I met with a prospective client, and she broke down crying. Talking with me was the first time she could get her point across,” said Aladesuru. “Her HR department had belittled her. I could put myself in her shoes. I decided I had to get in those rooms, to be the one who has the conversations.”

Bryce Griffin

Bryce Griffin is earning his Business Management degree from North Carolina A&T. An avid sports fan, Griffin played soccer from a young age through high school. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially football and basketball. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in sports management, possibly as an agent. 

Danielle Jensen

Danielle Jensen is a senior at Salisbury University, pursuing degrees in actuarial sciences and information systems. A self-described “numbers person” with a competitive streak, Jensen had no idea what an actuary was when she entered college. Then she met a member of her church who was an actuary, who quickly became a mentor. “She told me how hard it was to become an actuary. It was daunting, but it sounded like something that fit with what I enjoy and what I like to do with math,” says Jensen. Her interest only grew after taking a prep course for Actuary Exam P and discovering for herself the challenge involved. “The courses are a lot of work, and that excites me. I want to pass the exams, to say I’ve done it,” she says.

Roger Law

Roger Law is pursuing a master’s degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign while also working full-time in a public hospital in San Francisco, where he’s part of an HR operations team that addresses employee questions. Prior to enrolling in the program, he had worked in HR departments in non-unionized settings. After starting at the hospital, he decided he wanted to learn more about labor relations and workplace resolution.

“As an undergraduate, I hadn’t encountered any knowledge about labor relations. I’m originally from Hong Kong, where labor relations and unions are not very popular,” he said. “In the United States, unions do have a lot of power. The reason why I chose this program is that I wanted to get more understanding about collective bargaining.”

Inspired by his studies, Law recently joined IFPTE Local 21. And although he isn’t sure what he’ll do after graduating, Law is considering jobs where he represents labor’s interests. “When it comes to employee grievances and arbitrations, the power of the unions is very important,” he said. “As employees, we may not know the provisions in the collective bargaining agreement. A union representative can help us answer our questions.”

Zachary Rodgers

Zachary Rodgers is studying applied mathematics at Texas A&M University, College Station. Even before he graduated as valedictorian of his high school, Rodgers knew he wanted a career as an actuary. In fact, as soon as he turned 18, Rogers took – and passed – the Texas Insurance Licensing exam as a means to learn more about the insurance industry and its products. And he has already begun taking the certification exams necessary to become an actuary.

Rogers eagerly complements his classroom learning with real-world experience, including a recent internship with Nationwide Insurance, where he learned more about the ins and outs of funding and managing retirement solutions. “It’s a huge blessing I discovered the actuarial field so early,” he says. “I like the analytical mindset. Here’s the problem at hand. How can you apply the information at hand and come to a solution?”

Shelby Wright

Shelby Wright is a business major at Old Dominion University. Growing up, she was interested in the arts, particularly dance, but has since found the business world to be an additional source of inspiration. An active member of the campus community, she recently served on the university’s homecoming committee, an experience that helped polish her leadership skills.

Upon graduation, she hopes to work in a marketing role that allows her to develop her skills while helping her employer promote diversity and inclusion in their marketing materials. Eventually, she imagines starting her own marketing company, a goal that would combine her twin interests in entrepreneurship and creativity.