Student Services Staff Provide Lead Gifts in Launch of Power of 10 Scholarship Fund
As the School embarks on a special effort to raise scholarship funds for students through its Power of 10 Scholarship Fund, the School’s entire Student Services staff have teamed up to make the lead gifts. Hoping to inspire their colleagues and our alumni and friends, they share their thoughts on why they give and the impact they hope this fund can have on our students’ ability to pursue their dreams.
Jana Royal, Credential Analyst
1. Why do you give to the Power of 10 Scholarship Fund?
As a UC Davis staff member, I work very closely with our credential/MA students from the time they consider our program until they complete it. I see how committed they are to becoming great teachers but I also see the financial roadblocks that can potentially derail them. If my small donation can help build a fund that prevents even one student from having his or her goal derailed, it is worth it.
As a parent, I know the impact great teachers had on my daughters’ K-12 education. Both of my daughters were fortunate enough to have UC Davis-trained teachers for some of their secondary classes. Without a doubt these were some of their favorite teachers. The School of Education has a wonderful teacher preparation program and UC Davis teachers make a positive difference!
2. What would you say to someone who is considering a gift to the
fund?
Consider the impact of your gift and ask yourself where else can a few dollars touch so many lives. If your gift helps even one person become an elementary teacher, who teaches 30 students per year and for only 20 years, you will have positively impacted 600 students. This is a low estimate. Consider if the teacher is a secondary teacher, teaches 150 students per year and teaches for 30 years; the number of students positively impacted grows to 4,500!
UC Davis has such a great program and it is one you can be proud to be associated with.
3. What are your hopes and aspirations for what we can accomplish with this fund?
My hope is that through the Power of 10 fund we can convey the message that giving – in any amount – can be impactful. You don’t have to give millions or thousands of dollars. We can bring our alumni into the fold and show them how any donations – big or small – can make a difference. I would love to see this fund grow to where each discipline/subject can award a significant scholarship to the top student each year.
Megan McKenzie, Teacher Education Assistant
(BS 2006, Credential 2008)
1. Why do you give to the Power of 10 Scholarship Fund?
As both a School of Education staff member and an alumna I felt it was important to support this new scholarship for students. I know how hard our students work to become the best teachers, leaders, and researchers who will advocate for all students and I hope that the Power of 10 Scholarship can help make that just a little bit easier by removing some of the financial constrains.
2. What would you say to someone who is considering a gift to the fund?
Even a small donation can make an impact! I think for a student that just knowing someone else supports their desire to be an educator can validate their decisions and work, especially on the tough days!
3. What are your hopes and aspirations for what we can accomplish with this fund?
I hope that a lot of alumni will choose to make a donation. We all have a shared experience and its important to support those that are entering the field of education now.
Tracy Falk, Undergraduate/Graduate Program Coordinator
1. Why do you give to the Power of 10 fund?
Education is a core value for me and my family. What better way then to help facilitate others’ educational aspirations and dreams. They in turn serve our society and make it a better place. Really, my parents were (are) both teachers and I know the power of having learning celebrated and supported (key word)! That is why I work here!!!!! I love learning and that is because my parents allowed us to explore, ask questions, seek answers, and ponder what we discovered. I value that environment. I realize other people have not had that same experience. Maybe we can help through the fund to open doors for them they never imagined possible.
2. What would you say to someone who is considering a gift to the fund?
Pay it forward–your gift helps someone become an educator who in turn helps all our children become smarter, more caring and better citizens.
3. What are your hopes and aspirations for what we can accomplish with this fund?
Help pay for many students in all programs here: PhD and MA/Credential especially. I would love to see a full-ride scholarship (or more) which would be a huge recruiting tool and catapult the UC Davis School of Education into the next level of national programs. With rising tuition it just feels so great to help a deserving and excellent student.
Mary Reid, Director of Student Services
1. Why do you give to the Power of 10 fund?
I witness firsthand how much our students struggle to fund their education. I also see the “excitement” in their eyes when they speak of their passion for the field of education whether it be to teach, perform research, or be a professor. If my small contribution can be paired with many other contributions, then that will become a “big” deal.
2. What would you say to someone who is considering a gift to the fund?
ANY amount of money contributed WILL have a huge impact on our students lives. As they say “it takes a village to raise a child.” it’s the same concept here, we all need to help raise our students so they can reach their full potential.
3. What are your hopes and aspirations for what we can accomplish with this fund?
My immediate hope is to fully fund one student’s fees for the year for the first year of his or her program. My ultimate hope is to provide a full year of complete funding for a student in each program.
