Congratulations, NACA Foundation Student Scholarship Recipients!

London Cerullo • Elizabethtown College (PA)

I am deeply grateful to be a recipient of the 2026 NACA William E. Brattain Graduate Scholarship. As a current Occupational Therapy Graduate Student, I work tirelessly to maintain academic excellence, stay involved within my campus community, and work to finance my education. This scholarship will ease the financial burden of graduate school and allow me to focus more fully on my professional development and clinical training. The funding will support my last few semesters at Elizabethtown College, as well as support my Fieldwork Level II experience at a Level I Trauma Center. These experiences, supported by the scholarship, bring me one step closer to my dream of being a travel occupational therapist specializing in memory care and acute trauma care.  

Melba Mullins • Kean University (NJ)

I am deeply honored to receive this NACA scholarship.  This scholarship makes it possible for me to continue my graduate studies and move confidently toward my goal of becoming an administrator and strong advocate for students.  Your investment in my education strengthens not only my future, but the lives of young people I serve.  I am profoundly grateful; this opportunity means the world to me. 

Thank you again for this recognition and support. 

Clara Obeng-Akrofi • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

I am honored to be selected as a recipient of the 2026 NACA D. L. McCullough Memorial Scholarship.  

This scholarship will allow me to engage more meaningfully with the NACA community by attending conferences to learn from industry leaders, exploring innovative practices across institutions, and building the professional network that supports meaningful, long-term impact in this field. It represents an investment in the kind of leadership that will shape the future of campus activities.  

I envision myself working in a strategy and management role, developing solutions that connect campus programming with institutional goals around retention, belonging, and student success. I am committed to contributing to the NACA community throughout my career, and I am grateful to the scholarship committee and NACA members for this vote of confidence in my journey.

Oluwamisayo Ologun • University of Michigan

I want to begin by saying thank you. What you have made possible for me goes far beyond financial support. You have given me the freedom to dream bigger, and the ground beneath my feet to stand on while I do.  

Your foundation's generosity has made it possible to reach for my academic dream and live it out. This gift is with me as I journey through the rest of my program, pushing through the harder moments that graduate school inevitably brings. It will be a reminder that your organization believed in me before I had even proven myself.  

I am committed to making the most of the rest of my graduate studies and honoring your support with both good grades and a dedication to creating a ripple effect that pays this kindness forward with impact and service.  

Trell Amoss • Oklahoma State University

These funds will directly support my education at Oklahoma State University, where I am pursuing a degree in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. As a student heavily involved on campus, serving as President of the Aggie-X Club and Team Captain of the Agricultural Economics Quiz Bowl Team, this scholarship helps ease the financial burden of my education and allows me to stay fully committed to my academic and leadership responsibilities. More importantly, this support brings me one step closer to my long-term goal of pursuing graduate studies and a career in agricultural policy, where I hope to advocate for producers and rural communities. I am incredibly thankful for this investment in my future. 

Nicholas Betts • The University of Texas at San Antonio

Thanks to the contributions provided in part by the NACA Program, I'm not only on track to be the first in my family to graduate from college, but I'll also be able to continue working towards creating a future where the only limits on your creativity, are the ones you put on yourself. 

Madeline Grossman • Western Colorado University

Thank you for choosing me for the Silver Anniversary Scholarship for Student Leaders. I am honored that your committee selected me. These funds mean that I am able to study at Western Colorado University, where I am pursuing a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. I am currently a junior with three semesters left before I earn a Bachelor of Science. The money that this scholarship provides helps me focus more on school and extracurriculars while lowering the anxiety that comes with paying my tuition. Your contribution to my education inspires me to work hard in hopes that one day I can give back to my community though my career in medical research. I am incredibly grateful for your generosity.  

Kirsten Guillory • University of North Texas

Receiving the NACA Markley Scholarship is an incredible honor and a meaningful investment in my future. As a Computer Engineering student at the University of North Texas, I am passionate about using technology to create solutions that improve everyday life and support underserved communities. 

These funds will help alleviate the financial burden of academic expenses, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies, leadership roles, and professional development. I am actively involved in organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers, where I work to mentor younger students and promote diversity in STEM fields. 

In the future, I aspire to pursue a career where I can apply my technical skills to develop innovative solutions while continuing to give back through mentorship and community outreach. This scholarship not only supports my academic journey but also empowers me to continue making a positive impact on others. 

Thank you for this opportunity and for believing in my potential. 

Aliyah Johnson • Kennesaw State University

Receiving this scholarship would help relieve some of the financial pressure of higher education and allow me to focus more intentionally on the work I am passionate about. As a first-generation college student and student leader committed to service, leadership, and community engagement, I strive to build a future in public service at the intersection of healthcare, public policy, and education so that all people, regardless of background, have the opportunity to thrive. I would specifically use these funds to purchase textbooks and academic materials needed for my courses. Through mentorship, advocacy, and community involvement, I am working to empower others while pursuing the education necessary to become an impactful changemaker. 

William Mar • University of Texas at Austin

This scholarship from the NACA Foundation means more to me than just financial aid—it’s a vote of confidence in my potential. It gives me the freedom to focus on my hardest classes and my research goals without distraction. This opportunity is helping me build a solid foundation at the University of Texas at Austin as I work toward a career where I can use my engineering background to help others.

Onyinyechi Okonkwo • Houston Community College - South West 

Receiving this scholarship is not just financial support—it’s an investment in my future, and I’m truly grateful to NACA for believing in me. I’ve always viewed opportunities like this as something to grow and multiply, and that mindset shaped my time as Student Body President, where I worked on initiatives like launching a satellite food bank that has now served over 10,000 people in my community. 

As I prepare to transfer, I am completing the final courses for my degree while continuing to build toward work that blends innovation with service. I’m driven by a passion for helping others and a belief in the power of science to solve real-world problems—something that became even more meaningful when I presented one of my projects on Capitol Hill and saw what can happen when passion meets purpose. 

I am committed to continuing to serve my community with dedication and integrity, and I hope to demonstrate that your investment in me was well placed—not just through what I say, but through how I continue to show up for my community. My long-term goal is to become a physician-scientist at the forefront of medical innovation, and I will continue working diligently toward that vision. 

Thank you so much, NACA. 

Ashlyn Perry • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the National Association for Campus Activities Foundation for their support through the Zagunis Student Leader Scholarship. 

Samirah Rahman • Drexel University (PA)

Receiving the Tese Caldarelli Memorial Scholarship will support my academic journey by easing financial barriers and allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and professional development. These funds will enable me to continue pursuing opportunities in research and innovation while deepening my commitment to creating equitable and impactful change within my campus community. This support not only affirms my goals but also strengthens my ability to contribute meaningfully to the various spaces and communities I am part of.

Leah Robinson • Rowan University (NJ)

I am so appreciative of this award. Through this scholarship, I will be more secure in my job search after graduation without the weight of additional loan debt. I hope to continue pursuing my passions with this extra financial support. 

Dhruvi Reddy Rukumanna Gari • Babson College (MA)

I'm so grateful for this scholarship and I hope to continue my education in finance and real estate and spread school spirit and positivity throughout the next two years! 

Nina Skweres • Georgetown University (DC)

I am so grateful to receive the 2025 NACA Thomas E. Matthews Scholarship for Student Leaders! As a student from a rural community now studying international politics and security at Georgetown University, this support directly helps me to continue pursuing research and fieldwork on global governance and identity, including my most recent work conducted in Jordan on national identities of Palestinian-Jordanians.

These funds will help offset academic and living expenses as I prepare for a career in public service, where I hope to contribute to more inclusive and effective policy, particularly in areas like agriculture and international development. I am honored to be recognized by NACA and motivated to continue building communities that foster leadership, access, and belonging! 

Tiffany Phoebe Sudijono • University of Michigan

Being selected as a recipient of the Joseph D. Giampapa Scholarship for Student Leaders is both deeply humbling and meaningful. I am sincerely grateful for this incredible honor and for the opportunities it provides as I continue pursuing leadership work in STEM, research, and community-centered initiatives. This recognition allows me to further my work in behavioral science and user experience design, where I aim to develop inclusive, human-centered technologies that improve access to information and care.

At the University of Michigan, I have led initiatives to expand digital accessibility, developed an AI-driven adaptive online course for medical residents, and facilitated mHealth (mobile health) interventions supporting perinatal mental health and smoking cessation. Alongside this work, I have led community service and civic engagement efforts and contributed to student journalism. This support allows me to deepen these efforts while expanding my work in product design, user research, and health informatics, with the long-term goal of building equitable, data-informed systems that improve health and education outcomes.

Looking ahead, I hope to apply these experiences to create meaningful impact in both the United States and back home in Indonesia by designing products that serve diverse communities at the intersection of technology and social justice. I am beyond grateful to NACA for helping me make this possible! 

Ryer Wilker • University of Pittsburgh

As a first-generation college student funding my education, this scholarship will go a long way toward paying my tuition. I use my personal bank account to pay off my student loans early and reduce the impact of paying out of pocket for books, car repairs, and tuition. I am very thankful to NACA for awarding me this scholarship.  

Caasi Woji • University of Wisconsin - Madison

As a graduating senior, this scholarship comes at the perfect time. It helps me cover my last few student fees and takes some pressure off as I get ready for graduation. It will also go toward things like my regalia and a diploma holder, which are small but meaningful parts of this moment that really add up. This support lets me finish strong and enjoy this milestone with my community. I am grateful for the NACA Foundation believing in my work and helping me close out this chapter on a high note.