The Southern Management Corporation Scholarship Fund

endowed scholarship winner

Harrison Akujor

Harrison is an industrial biochemistry graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He has work experience in oil and gas, banking, and law enforcement. Harrison is completing his final year of study at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. His wife, Rebecca Akujor, graduated from the same school. After graduation, Harrison plans to work in a community pharmacy.

Samuel Anti, recipient of the Southern Management Corporation scholarship

Samuel Anti

Born in Ghana and a resident of Beltsville, Md., Samuel received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Alabama State University. He graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average and was a recipient of the President’s Award. Before attaining a full scholarship to Alabama State, he was a student at Adisadel College in Ghana and Montgomery College in Silver Spring, Md. Samuel aspires to become an independent pharmacist and has no doubt that the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy has the necessary resources that will facilitate the realization of his goals. He also is open to exploring other areas in pharmacy such as research, retail, and ambulatory care. Samuel is motivated to help improve the health conditions of people in his community, his country, and the world at large. He is excited about this scholarship and believes it will spur him to work harder and become a great professional. 

SMC Scholarship winner Brittany Harris

Brittany Harris

Brittany is a student at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Upon graduating in May 2017, she will begin working for the state of Maryland as a student in the Title IV-E program. It is her passion to help families overcome hardships and remain together as a unit. Brittany received her bachelor's degree in behavioral rehabilitation from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. She began her career in social work at Mercy Medical Center's Supportive Housing Program shortly after graduation. This experience solidified her decision to pursue a master's degree in social work. Although she had to leave her job with Mercy to complete school, she is thoroughly looking forward to getting back to work with families and children. Brittany is the proud mother of a 1-year-old son.

Chelsea McFadden, 2015-2016 recipient of the Southern Management Corporation Scholarship

Chelsea McFadden

Born and raised in Laurel, Md., Chelsea is a second-year student at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. In January, she participated in the Global Medical Brigades trip to Nicaragua, conducting health clinics in the rural community of Las Lomas. After graduation, Chelsea plans to enter into a public health service field, where she can build trust between health care practitioners and patients by giving patients a voice to identify and express what they need most from practitioners. She also will work to build up underserved communities through advocacy so they receive the best health care possible. 

 

Jasmine Noronha, 2015-2016 recipient of the Southern Management Corporation scholarship.

Jasmine Noronha

Jasmine is a family nurse practitioner student. After graduating in 2012 with her BSN, she started working at the University of Maryland Medical Center in the Pediatric Progressive Care Unit. She decided to go back to school because she wanted to have more autonomy while using evidenced-based practice to guide her care. She enjoys family practice because it allows her to practice in a variety of settings and interact with individuals who are in different stages in life. Along with being a full-time student, Jasmine serves as a graduate teaching assistant in the nursing simulation lab. She enjoys teaching new nursing students the basics of the profession and watching their skills and knowledge build. 

Oluwatoyin Orunja, recipient of the Southern Management Corporation Scholarship

Oluwatoyin Orunja

Oluwatoyin is enrolled in the Doctor of Nurse Practice program, anesthesia specialty. She grew up in Mitchellville, Md., in Prince George’s County. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences. In the fall of 2010, she entered the Clinical Nurse Leader Master's program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, graduating in December 2011. Afterward, she worked at Holy Cross Hospital for four years, and she also worked as a clinical instructor for Chamberlain College of Nursing. Outside of work and school, Oluwatoyin enjoys mentoring teenagers in her community, volunteering, and running marathons. 

Rachel Sanchez, recipient of the Southern Management Corporation scholarship

Rachel Sanchez

Rachel is a second-year Master of Social Work student at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She plans to focus her studies on macro social work with a specialization in health. She hopes to improve the access of care for underserved and underprivileged populations through the design, oversight, and management of programs that will strive to meet those needs. She plans to work with homeless families, individuals, and those experiencing poverty, especially people of color. Providing ease of access to care and quality of care are very important goals of hers. After graduation, she plans to use her degree to effect real and lasting change in the lives of those she serves.

recipient of an endowed scholarship

Alice Wilkerson

Alice's education began at 4 years old in the Head Start program of Prince George’s County, Md. She attended Prince Georges’ County public schools until her high school graduation in 2000. After a couple years off, she began her studies at Brightwood College in Beltsville, Md., where she obtained a certificate in computer business management. After completing this certificate program, Alice enrolled at Bowie State University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree social work. After graduation, she started working for the state of Maryland in Prince George’s County, under the Family Investment Administration. Following in the footsteps of her mentor, Dr. Pamela Love-Manning, she choose to attend University of Maryland, Baltimore for graduate school. Her experience at UMB has helped her take the next step into the field of social work with confidence, and she currently serves as an entry-level mental health practitioner.

Zoe Woodbridge, recipient of the Southern Management Corporation scholarship

Zoe Woodbridge

Zoe was raised in Prince George's County, Md., and continues to live there while she attends the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Her studies are focused on clinical social work with children and families, and she also is a  part of the Title IV-E Child Welfare program. She is co-chair of the SSW's Anti-Oppression Work Group and will be participating in the first year of the Peer Mentor program as a mentor to incoming social work students in fall 2016. After graduation, she hopes to continue her work with children and families in Maryland's public child welfare system, specifically with children in foster care.