2022 Scholarship Winners Announced
RESIDENTS OF MICHAELS COMMUNITIES AWARDED $1.5 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS
The 2022/2023 scholarship total represents a new record for the educational foundation!
The Michaels Educational Foundation, a non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, has awarded $1,537,500 in scholarships for the 2022/2023 academic school year to residents living at affordable and military living communities owned or managed by The Michaels Organization.
Click here to view the complete list of scholars and associated sites.
“At Michaels, we strongly believe our mission of Lifting Lives goes beyond creating housing solutions,” said Michaels’ Chief Executive Officer John J. O’Donnell. “We believe our housing is the foundation for also creating opportunity, and it’s a privilege to offer these scholarships and to be a part of our residents’ educational journeys.”
The scholarship total represents a new record for the educational foundation, which has been providing grants to residents to use towards their pursuit of higher education since 1991. With this year’s awards, the educational foundation has granted a collective $12 million to residents, benefitting thousands of Michaels Scholars over the past 30 years.
The 2022/2023 Michaels Scholars class represents over 200 residents living in Michaels affordable communities across the country, from New Jersey to Hawaii, as well as scholars who live on military bases where Michaels owns and manages the privatized family housing.
The resident scholars will be attending various community colleges and universities across the country. Some scholars will also use their grants to participate in vocational training programs. In addition, residents of senior communities who are pursuing continuing education classes, have also received scholarships.
Many of this year’s scholars are recipients of the education foundation’s scholarships in the past, as all residents are invited and encouraged to apply for grants for every year of their undergraduate education.
Isaac Beaton, a scholar from Bethlehem Townhouses in Pennsylvania plans to use his award toward completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University. Additionally, sisters Abigail and Isabell Pannell of Fort Belvoir in Virginia will use their awards to continue and complete Bachelor's Degrees in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and Health Psychology at Eastern Washington University, respectively.
"The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation is very proud that for the 31st consecutive year, it will be awarding scholarships to students living in Michaels affordable and military housing across the country. The scholarships will provide impactful financial assistance to our resident students for the upcoming 2022/2023 school year,” said Michaels’ Educational Consultant, Dr. Bruce Johnson. “We congratulate each of the recipients and wish them continued success in their academic endeavors."
All education foundation funds are raised through voluntary contributions by companies and private individuals throughout The Michaels Organization’s business network. All donations are then matched $2 for every $1 dollar by The Michaels Organization’s founder and chairman, Michael Levitt and his wife, Pat Levitt.
“There is no better gift than the gift of an education,” said Michael Levitt, “It is the most effective investment we can make in Lifting Lives.”
Celebrations for Michaels Scholars will be held in cities around the country this summer. A scholarship program for residents of Michaels student living communities will begin accepting applications this fall.
Villages at Fort Irwin Recipients
Sissi Aguilar-Knotts $9,000.00
Sissi made the decision to return to school in 2020. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Brigham Young University–Idaho and plans to also receive certificates in TEFL/TESOL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language / Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Child and Family Advocacy. With her degree and certifications, Sissi will work to help immigrants and refugees adjust to their new lives in the United States, especially those entering American public schools. As an immigrant herself, Sissi knows the challenges these individuals face and she is passionate about removing barriers in order to ensure everyone feels included, valued, and important.
Laura Donohue $7,000.00
Laura is a rising junior at American Military University majoring in healthcare administration. After originally working as a teacher, Laura ultimately decided to go back to school and focus on a new career path that would better align with her passion for caring for people and her husband’s deployment plans. While in school full-time at AMU, Laura has graduated from EMT school and is now a certified NREMT. She will be graduating from AMU with her bachelor’s degree in 2023.
Alexis Ingram $4,000.00
Alexis attends the University of Houston where she is majoring in business management. After obtaining her degree, Alexis would like to join the Air Force in order to serve our country and give back just as her mother, stepfather, grandparents, and others have done before her. She also hopes to open and run her own animal facility for lost or abandoned pets. This is a goal Alexis has set because of her love to help animals.
Colin Ingram $4,000.00
Collin is an incoming freshman at Troy University majoring in computer science. He has spent much of his younger life interested in this field and the various opportunities it can bring. He hopes to go on to earn his Master’s Degree in Computer Networking and Security and then enter the growing field of cyber security upon graduation.
Mia Moore $9,000.00
Mia will be attending University of Southern California to pursue a degree in human biology with a minor in forensics and criminality. She hopes to one day use the knowledge she gains from a college education to provide her scientific expertise in the court system. Ultimately, she would like to understand the relationship between science, medecine, and civil law to bring justice to families, especially in minority populations. Throughout her college career, Mia plans to hold various internships and participate in study abroad programs offered by USC. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Mia also plans to attend medical school.
Arturo Ramirez $4,000.00
Arturo is a rising senior at Grand Canyon University where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. As a soldier of the United States Army, Arturo has a passion for caring for the country and plans to continue working on this passion as a healthcare administrator for a military hospital upon receiving his degree. Despite the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic and losing two close family members while in school, Arturo has continued to make his educational success a priority and feels by earning his degree, he will be able to ultimately take care of his family and those around him.