Meet the YUWO Scholars

Ashley begins her sophomore year pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work. She blends the responsibilities of motherhood with full-time employment at Yale’s Schwarzman Center. As a first-generation college student, Ashley has remained deeply motivated to succeed, despite the many challenges she has faced during her educational journey. Ashley attended Gateway Community College, where she graduated in 2015 with an Associate of Science degree and a Human Services certificate, marking an important step toward a career dedicated to helping others and strengthening communities. One of Ashley’s professors in her SCSU Social Work program wrote that, “… Ashley’s experiences have only strengthened her initiative and resolve. She is a fierce advocate for others and is driven to put her values into practice. She possesses the strengths and skills to become a strong leader and will make a strong social worker.”

Ashley’s perseverance, compassion, and commitment to service embody the spirit of the Kay Ross Scholarship. We are proud to support her continued educational journey and look forward to the positive impact she will make in the lives of others. 

In addition to pursuing her MBA, Tsering serves as a Hospitality Operations Manager at Yale Residential Dining. She is widely recognized for her resilience, strong leadership, and meaningful mentorship, all of which contribute greatly to the department’s positive culture. Her mentorship is deeply valued by colleagues, as she consistently encourages others’ personal and professional growth while helping to shape future leaders within the Hospitality Department.

What truly distinguishes Tsering is the full picture of who she is: a first-generation college graduate, a working mother, and a dedicated board member of Groundwork Bridgeport, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental justice and youth development. Through her leadership, service, and commitment to uplifting others, Tsering embodies the spirit and mission of the YUWO Annual Fund Scholarship.

Fortunately, she eventually had the opportunity to work as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and worked with The Nature Conservancy, first as a volunteer and later as a Community Engagement Associate. She currently works at the Yale Center for Environmental Justice.

Diana’s Connecticut community encouraged her to revisit her forgotten dream of pursuing a graduate degree. She will begin her Master’s this fall, and will study the history of environmental justice at the federal level and the grassroots movements that helped shape federal environmental science, tools, and policy. Her research will examine how foundational environmental justice efforts within the federal government have evolved over time.

Colleagues at The Nature Conservancy described Diana as bringing exceptional initiative, emotional intelligence, and systems thinking to climate resilience initiatives across Connecticut and the Long Island Sound region. Diana frequently took on responsibilities beyond her formal role, earning the trust and respect of colleagues across multiple departments.

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Maria’s studies were interrupted by language barriers as well as financial and family responsibilities. However, she remained strongly committed to her educational goals. She was able to take advantage of strong mentorship and attend night classes while working two jobs.   After completing an Associate Degree in Business Management at Gateway Community College, Maria will be completing in her BS in Business Management in May 2027.

Maria was praised by her supervisor at Davenport College and by a professor at SCSU with the following description. “Maria is in every sense an amazing woman. She is kind, grounded, and deeply committed to her future. Her presence elevates her peers, and her potential is undeniable”. She pursued and obtained a certificate in women’s leadership to build and refine her own leadership and communication skills, and to benefit her current and future work. Maria is seeking to use her degree to expand her opportunities and to inspire others in their educational journeys.

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In high school, Megan received an award that covered 100% of the University of Florida’s in-state tuition. Between working part-time and other scholarships, she completed a BS in Plant Science at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 2023. To save money for graduate school, Megan has been working at Yale University as a graduate research assistant in the Irwin Laboratory at the School of Public Health. 

One of Megan’s references described her work as a graduate assistant, noting that she is an exceptional student guided by a deeply rooted commitment to equity. Her dedication to improving the lives of those in underserved populations is both personal and sustained. Throughout her life she has consistently put this commitment into action with volunteering at food pantries and healthcare settings, and she co-founded an art club providing free resources to students without access to art supplies. 

Megan’s six years of experience in scientific research have inspired her plan to help people working on crops to improve nutritional access and economic outcomes for millions of people. She discovered Yale’s MPH program in Chronic Disease as a way to improve important health outcomes on a major population-level scale..

With determination and hard work, Ashley earned an Associate of Science degree and a Human Services Certificate at community college, taking a significant step toward a career focused on helping others. Now, after 14 years, she is excited to return to college as a full-time student pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Social Work.

Through her dedication to her goals, Ashley is teaching her daughter that perseverance in the face of setbacks is truly the heart of success.

Amirah is multi-talented. She has worked as a teaching assistant in France and, more recently, as a research associate with veterans addressing substance use disorders and PTSD. She has also distinguished herself as a peer reviewer for several journals, including The Journal of Addiction Medicine. Truly, Amirah is a Renaissance woman!

Amirah’s life experiences, coupled with her strong academic skills and compassion, make her uniquely positioned to become a leader in her chosen field of psychiatric nursing.

Nguyen came from humble beginnings and developed a profound appreciation for the people and opportunities in her life. She plans to utilize her skills to connect patients with services and assist them in navigating the complex healthcare system. 

Nguyen’s heartfelt dream is to establish pediatric clinics that offer essential services — including preventive care and counseling — aimed at reducing hospital visits and improving the overall quality of life for both children and their parents.

After six years in obstetrics, she discovered her passion for midwifery. Cheryl is drawn to the complexities of managing high-risk pregnancies, believing that people with medically complex pregnancies deserve the opportunity to experience the nurturing care that midwifery provides.

Although her full-time academic and clinical work limits the number of shifts she can manage, Cheryl continues to work as a per-diem nurse. YUWO’s scholarship will help her focus her energy on learning during her final year of study.

Liz is working toward her DSW to enhance her expertise as a trauma therapist and to contribute to the education of future social workers. She is eager to finalize her significant research on strategies that help social workers mitigate burnout and improve retention in the field.

Making a positive impact in the community, Liz works full-time to support students who have experienced assault, intimate partner violence, harassment, and other forms of misconduct. Additionally, she volunteers at a community agency that helps families find referrals for services, educational programs, and cultural events.