Meet Our Scholars

Share Your Story with Us!

 The impact of The Curtis Fund is reflected in its grantees.

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Ian Baker, Vermont Technical College

Ian Baker graduated from Vermont Technical College with a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology in May 2022. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with an associate degree in 2020 and was named VTC Student Engineering Technician that same year. Ian knows how to meet a challenge. He has cerebral palsy and says “…overcoming challenges is in itself a reward and motivator for me.” He credits The Curtis Fund will helping him graduate debt-free and plans to start his own company to prototype assistive devices that are affordable to your average person. 

Shadda Cliché, Assumption University

Curtis Fund scholar, Shadda Cliche, is on her way to becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife. This is a goal she set her sights on as a high school student. 

Shadda’s journey began when she attended MedQuest, a medical camp, at which she had the opportunity to shadow at different hospitals and medical centers. Shadda also learned that she could become a certified doula while still in high school. So after long school days at Brattleboro Union High School she took night classes to become a certified doula and attend doula-assisted births while still in high school!

Fast forward to today – Shadda is a junior at Assumption University majoring in biology with a minor in human services. In addition to her studies, she works at Connected Home Care where she assists the elderly. "The Curtis Fund helped me achieve many goals by funding my higher education. These funds have helped me tremendously on my journey to become a Certified Nurse Midwife.”

Shadda's advice to someone considering higher education is “to go for it.” She added, “Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do, the right college or university will help you find your path. It’ll bring you the best opportunities that you never could have imagined achieving.

Skylar Casey, Southwest Tech

Skylar is currently in her first year of cosmetology school at Southwest Tech in Bennington. She has another year of her program. Skylar isn’t sure what she wants to do once she earns her license. She says she is leaning towards working at a local salon and then maybe creating her own. Skylar if very familiar with the cosmetology industry because her mom worked as a receptionist at a salon for many years. Skylar says, “I would go there to get my hair and nails done and would even go to hang out there because I was so close to everyone who worked at the salon.” She says everyone at the salon would ask her if she wanted to become a cosmetologist. 

Skylar’s advice to anyone who doesn’t want to attend a four-year college is to pursue certification in something that interest you. Lastly, she shares that “My family and I were trying to figure out how we were going to pay for the program, so I applied for VSAC grants, and also was awarded The Curtis Fund CoV scholarship. These combined grants and scholarship were enough to cover the cost of my program. The Curtis Fund did a great job of supporting me and I really appreciate it!”

Mohamud Diini, Champlain College

Mohamud Diini is studying accounting at Champlain College. He says he chose Champlain College because of the endless opportunities [he is] offered there. Mohamud says, “In my first year at school, I’ve already had two internships, one at McSoley McCoy & Co. and one at AON.”

Mohamud has two pieces of advice to those considering college. First, he recommends looking into community college because it is “…a great resource for students who are stressed out about paying for college.” Second, he says that “The best advice I can give is to know what you want to study ahead of time. I spent extra money and time because I decided to switch majors.”

Lastly, Mohamud says that his Curtis Fund scholarship has saved him a lot of money and it has been a “big stress relief to me.” After graduating, Mohamud hopes to own his own business in the future. 

Joanna Saturn, Burlington Code Academy

I chose Burlington Code Academy's Bootcamp program to get a well-rounded educational foundation in web development at an affordable price. I also chose the bootcamp because I wanted to career-pivot into something more financially sustainable, and that was lacking in my former jobs.

Investing in yourself can be scary and daunting but it is so worth it. I come from a very varied work background and wanted to finally get off the roller coaster of low-paying jobs. I felt really scary to do something new and foreign to me but if I can do it, you can do it! We all deserve to have a life where we are happy with our jobs/career and sometimes that means going back to school or enrolling in a certificate (CoV) program. Invest in yourself. You deserve it. Life is too short to be doing something that you don't love. 

Today Joanna is working as an Associate Data Archival Consultant at Galen Healthcare.

Logan Bailey, Advance Welding Institute

After graduating from Spaulding High School in 2021 Logan enrolled at the Advance Welding Institute in South Burlington. In doing so, Logan joined a growing number of high school graduates who are choosing a Credential of Value (CoV) program to reach their postsecondary education goals. CoV programs prepare students for many of Vermont’s high-demand, high-wage jobs including IT Service Desk Specialist, Licensed Practical Nursing, Computer Coding and Software Development, Graphic Design, and Certified Production Technician – to name a few. Logan is interested in becoming an underwater welder and one day hopes to own his own welding business.  

Vicky Mills, Northern Vermont University

Vicky earned her associate degree from CCV in 2021 and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at NVU as a hybrid student, which means she takes classes online and in person at any of the four Vermont State Colleges. This program gives Vicky the flexibility she needs to care for her family while pursuing her degree. Vicky returned to school after decades in the workforce. She notes, “As a child I was very alone in my education, with no help or support on my homework. Neither my mom nor brother graduated high school and my dad died when I was young.” This lack of early support is now being made up for by her advisors at CCV and NVU who Vicky credits with “…inspiring [her] to keep going.”

Naa Aku Addo, MPA, University of Vermont

“I am originally from Ghana. I was blessed that I was born into a family that had the social capital to allow me to think outside of the box. I was able to envision a future where I would be exposed to different schools of thought, cultures, people, and experiences.

At Emmanuel College I was a dual major in Global Studies and International Affairs and Sociology with a Concentration in Social Justice. At the University of Vermont, my graduate degree was in Public Administration. Currently I am working with the Vermont Department of Health as a grant manager with the Tobacco control and prevention program.

My grandparents, who were both professors in the school system in Ghana, always made sure that I knew about the different options that were available for me. My grandmother and my grandfather of blessed memory never stopped feeding my mind with all the knowledge they had acquired. They made family trips and summer vacations ones to remember. My grandparents allowed me to experience new things, always made sure to continue teaching me to not be afraid to reach farther than I could imagine.

My parents also supported my goals and dreams no matter how difficult the road seemed. I am the first of my parent’s children to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree. And, I always am thankful for the supportive family that allowed me to dream big.

My parents were very glad to hear that I received the grant award from the Curtis Fund. They both received their education in Ghana and always said the idea of receiving an award in Ghana was a big deal. The semester I was notified of the Curtis Fund grant, they were both proud and happy to know that I would have a relatively reduced amount of loans in the upcoming years.” 

Colleen Couture, Fitchburg State University

Colleen is studying early childhood education at Fitchburg State University. She will graduate in 2023 and plans to continue at Fitchburg to earn her master’s degree in special education. Colleen chose to become an early childhood educator because she loves young children. “I have found that most students in preschool and kindergarten have this glow about them, and an eagerness to learn. I went into early education to help foster this glow and develop meaningful relationships in an educational setting from a young age.”

Colleen also shared how challenging it can be for a first-generation student to continue their education. She wrestled with questions such as: What if I am not meant for college? Will I be okay away from my family? Ultimately, her advice is to put those fears aside and take a leap of faith. 

Receiving The Curtis Fund scholarship was a huge financial relief for Colleen. “Similar to most students deciding on a college, the cost to attend was a huge deciding factor on where I would go. Knowing that I had this scholarship opened more opportunities when I was making my college decision, and now in my third year of school this grant means just as much to me and it is the reason I feel financially comfortable pursuing my master’s degree.”

Ben Moser, Vermont Technical College

Ben Moser will graduate from Vermont Technical College in 2023 with a BS degree from the Professional Pilot Technology program. In addition to being a student he already has earned his Private Pilot License in Vermont and is a Certified Flight Instructor. Ben's goal is to fly for one of the legacy airlines after he graduates.

Ben's advice to anyone considering pursuing a postsecondary degree or certificate is to "definitely try it." Ben also shares "The reason I was skeptical right out of high school was first, due to not knowing exactly what I wanted to do but most importantly I was scared of the debt that can come with it."

Ben says he appreciates that The Curtis Fund has helped him and "...hopes that The Curtis Fund will continue to grow so many more people will be able to benefit."

Samantha Mills, Champlain College

Samantha graduated Magna Cum Laude from Champlain College in 2019. She says that "as a first-generation college student, finances were tight. The Curtis Fund essentially made my number one school a reality and not a pipe dream. I had a vision for my future and college was always my goal."

Going to college was never not in my plan. From when I was in fifth grade and began working with counselors from VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation) helping me to figure out which school was best for me, college was always the goal. My parents who always wanted more for me than they had themselves, as neither of them attended college, were my biggest motivation.

By receiving the Curtis Fund grant, I was able to go to Champlain College. I was on the Dean’s List all but one semester. I had classes with retired judges, police officers, lawyers, and even the Attorney General of Vermont! During my time in school, I interned with the Vermont State Police, as well as Prevent Child Abuse Vermont. In addition, I volunteered at the Sara Holbrook Community Center. The education I received at Champlain was life changing and only happened because of the Curtis Fund grant.”

Gail Trede, Johnson State College

“With the recession, in 2010, my husband joined the thousands of Americans who lost their jobs. Sadly, my marriage failed, and I was suddenly alone, raising two young sons on my own without any formal education or ability to gain substantial employment, financial security, or independence.

My story is similar to many women who may have left their work and educational pursuits in order to stay home to support their families while their husbands were in the workforce, strengthening their earning power. My sudden ‘independence’ was perhaps the most frightening experience of my life. My two young sons were my greatest motivation to stand up, forge ahead, and succeed. I wanted them to know that I am a woman, I am strong, I am capable and more than anything I AM WORTHY.

I had been out of the workforce for more than 10 years. The Curtis Fund grant not only made it possible to ‘afford’ the tuition, but it also validated my self-worth and ability to succeed. It was like having someone on my side. This financial help gave me a sense of security and encouraged me to continue…I would not fail, I owed it to the Curtis Fund if not myself.

I am forever grateful to the Curtis Fund for giving me the financial strength to move forward in my life and succeed in reaching my goals. Nothing and no one can ever take this from me. I was able to keep a stable home for myself and my children, secure my employment, and I am now working under a provisional license while attending UVM to secure my professional teaching license and library endorsement. I could never have afforded any of this if it were not for financial aid.” 

How we support scholars

 

In an era when postsecondary education is a critical factor in better employment and career success, The Curtis Fund is playing an important role. Our scholarships help Vermonters break the poverty cycle and receive the education and training they need to thrive economically, emotionally, and socially. In a 2012 survey, former grantees who responded were not only grateful for the help they had received, but also most indicated that they would not have been able to go to school without the scholarship. Almost 90% of grantees graduated with a degree, compared with a national rate of only 40 – 65%. Furthermore, 75% reported that the scholarship motivated them to work harder in school.