Graduates

Jessica graduated from Georgia Tech with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical & computer engineering. She now helps engineering organizations “combine the power of human ingenuity & cutting-edge technology to foster innovation & improve user experiences” as an Engineering Digitization & Project Lifecycle Management Specialist at Accenture.

The Scholarship helped her focus on her health and education following a car accident the summer before her senior year of college. During her time on campus, Jessica was a member of the team, which competed in the EcoCAR 3—America’s premier collegiate automotive engineering competition.

Ellen studied sustainable ways to build infrastructure in developing countries and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. During her time at Georgia Tech, she was awarded the School Chair’s Outstanding Senior Award in Civil Engineering.

The Scholarship helped to ease financial burdens for Ellen: “It allowed me to use money I had allocated for tuition to support my medical journey… and pay my growing healthcare bills, while staying immersed in my academic, service, and leadership opportunities.”

Christopher graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and has since become a certified sport pilot, allowing him to operate light-sport aircraft. He is also using his Georgia Tech degree in his work as an engineering consultant.

Due to financial struggles, Christopher was almost forced to leave school, but the Neilsen Scholarship allowed him to continue his education and research in mobility issues for people with disabilities. “The Scholarship meant people believed in me,” he notes, “so I continuously look for ways to give back to the community.”

Journalist Alivia has taken her associate’s degree from Hinds Community College in Mississippi to the pages of The Blue & White Flash, a student publication, for which she is the Managing Editor. She is also a reporter for the HBCU Student Journalism Network.

Following her time as a Neilsen Scholar, Alivia continued her studies, and the experience has exceeded her wildest dreams. She’s hopeful that more universities will provide scholarships for struggling students, insisting, “The economy we live in requires higher education for people seeking employment.”

Kerri obtained a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Penn State and now works as a Customer Service Representative for Inspiritec, Inc., which empowers individuals with disabilities through technology. She also helps Pennsylvanians seeking Affordable Health Care Act application assistance.

The Neilsen Scholarship enabled Kerri to complete her degree without the worry of financial support. She will never forget the day she served as class speaker when she received her degree, but adds, “I had so many memorable moments while attending Penn State.”

Ben graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor in Marketing degree and is now an Account Manager at Bloomberg, covering hedge funds in New York City and South Florida.

The Neilsen Scholarship helped him make the most of life on campus, experiencing one of college football’s most iconic events: “My most memorable moment on campus came when Penn State beat Ohio State at the White Out game in the fall of 2016.”

Tad graduated with a master’s degree in finance and now works as an analyst for the JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group. He’ll always have fond memories of his time on campus and the camaraderie among students.

Tad hopes to establish a scholarship program within the next decade to help others who may be struggling to cover the costs of college. “By receiving the Neilsen Scholarship, the pressure of taking on debt to finance my studies at Penn State was eliminated,” he says. “This allowed me to solely focus on my coursework, which helped with the retention of material.”

Since graduating from PCC, Phurbu is following her dream of becoming a mental health clinical researcher and counselor. She returned to the college after an injury during her first year, and explains the Scholarship helped her adjust to her new life at home, in physical therapy, and at school. “Student life suddenly felt breathable,” she says.

Phurbu will never forget the day she was accepted as a Neilsen Scholar: “I parked my wheelchair at the Rock Creek Campus, and I was in shock, almost tearful… That day is forever one of the most memorable moments of my time on campus.”

Safet pursued an associate’s degree at Portland Community College and, after recently stepping down as a Student Life Counselor at Washington School for the Deaf in Vancouver, he has reapplied as a teacher’s aide.

Becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college, he enjoyed his time at PCC, where he felt “welcomed” and “motivated”, adding, “There’s a wonderful diversity among the staff and students. I was sad when I graduated.” Safet hopes to return to college one day and help other students achieve their dreams.

Ellie graduated in 2016 as a PCC Diamond—a student who excels in leadership. He has returned to college to serve as an advisor in the Disability Services department and worked as an automotive mechanic. He currently works as a lead fabricator for SteelFab, Inc.

Ellie’s education journey was difficult, but the Scholarship was the support he needed to continue. “The Neilsen Scholarship believed in me when I lost faith in the scholarship process,” he explains. “The morning I received notice that I was awarded the Scholarship was one of the best mornings of my life on campus.”

Rachelle graduated with a social work degree and was immediately hired by the Department of Human Resources at PCC. She has been working in the child welfare field ever since.

Rachelle will always remember the day she scored high marks in an anatomy and physiology test after spending hours studying and insists, she wouldn’t have been able to earn a 4.0 GPA if it wasn’t for the Neilsen Scholarship. She adds, “The Scholarship eliminated all financial barriers which allowed me to be a full-time student and focus 100% on my academics… Without it, I would have been too stressed out with work, money, housing, etc.”

Elizabeth was preparing for nursing school after her studies at PCC but pivoted to caregiving when the COVID pandemic hit, working with older adults in care homes. She is now a floating resident manager, while helping her husband run his construction business.

The Neilsen Scholarship helped her purchase everything she needed to successfully participate in her classes: “My school life was made far easier with the Scholarship. All of the good things that have been afforded me by the generosity of others, including the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, have framed my way of thinking.”

Shelby is a paralympic tennis player, who received a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Alabama. She still has ties to her alma mater, serving as the assistant coach for the wheelchair tennis team. She was named the Professional Tennis Registry’s Wheelchair Professional of the Year in 2019, the same year she became a member of the United States Tennis Association National Wheelchair Committee. Shelby is currently the Chair of the Association’s Collegiate Subcommittee.

The Neilsen Scholarship enabled Shelby to transfer from the University of Hawaii to the University of Alabama, where she received “quality coaching, strength training, and even athletic training services” through the Adapted Athletics program. During her time at Alabama, Shelby won her first national championship, and really appreciated the support of her teammates, who gave her the motivation to train hard.

Adam was an award-winning writer and the recipient of an Honors prize for academic achievement, while studying for a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Alabama. He hopes to utilize his “listening skills” and his “ability to have empathy for those in need” as a social worker.

The Scholarship gave him the opportunity for “a real graduate experience”, adding, “With a graduate-level degree, one that I achieved because of this Scholarship, I have the freedom to pursue a career in my period of focus, and that is a freedom unlike any other.”

Anthony took his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from the University of Alabama and now works as a logistics specialist for a transportation company. His days are spent “analyzing, assessing, and solving complex logistics issues regarding international freight movements.”

He says, “Several barriers were removed thanks to the Neilsen Scholarship,” allowing Anthony to focus on his studies.

After completing a bachelor’s degree in art and art history at the University of Alabama, Werka is using her skills as a successful Instagram artist. In addition to her art, she is an avid athlete, playing sports she enjoyed throughout college. As well as playing wheelchair basketball and adaptive rugby, she loves sailing, video-making, cooking, traveling, and Irish culture.

Werka really enjoyed her art history classes and learned so much about American and African art, which she insists would have been difficult in her native Poland. “I’m forever grateful to the mentors who inspired me to reach for the clouds.”

Ben graduated from the Gies College of Business and credits the Neilsen Scholarship with removing the financial burden of tuition and housing expenses and student loan repayments from his life.

The support from others has inspired Ben to pay it forward. He explains, “I’ve always believed in public service and feel that you should always do what you can, when you can. At this time, I continue to focus on my own physical rehabilitation and strive for economic independence, but I am as determined as ever to become successful and know that one day, I can, and I will be a beacon of support to the community.”

Abby was able to fulfill a dream of playing collegiate wheelchair basketball and play in a national championship game at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign after receiving the Neilsen Scholarship. She earned a bachelor’s in communication and a minor in public relations and is now the communications coordinator at U.S. Figure Skating in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

During her time at UIUC, Abby enjoyed visiting local schools to teach kids about wheelchair basketball and the benefits of adaptive sports, explaining, “This allowed me to connect with younger generations to inspire them to get involved in sports or to show them that it is possible to go to college and earn a degree with a disability.”

Joey is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is now a financial aid counselor at Southeastern University. In addition, he founded a company, which prints 3D racing gloves for athletes who participate in adaptive track and road races.

The Neilsen Scholarship fueled a passion to help others in Joey and his goal is to be in a position to help “any driven person reach their goal, professionally or personally.” It also allowed him to focus on his schoolwork and enjoy “more of a college life” by hanging out with friends and participating in clubs and sports.

Shelby made the most of life on campus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees, which led to a PhD in plant breeding and genetics. Shelby also found time to participate as a member of the wheelchair basketball team. She is currently working as a postdoctoral research associate at Michigan State University.

She is hoping to become a professor, so she can become a “supportive staff member” for individuals with disabilities, adding, “I’d like to help make someone else’s journey a little easier.”

Taylor graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a master’s in aerospace engineering in 2015 and has since interned at SpaceX before going on to serve four years as a designer and engineer at Blue Origin. Since 2020, he has worked in motorsports at Honda’s IndyCar and International Motor Sports Association Grand Touring Prototype racing programs.

The Scholarship helped him complete his dream program—something he would not have been able to afford otherwise. “Thanks to the Scholarship, I have always been able to pursue the jobs that aligned with my passions, rather than purely seeking jobs with a high enough salary to pay off my student loans.”

Joshua graduated in 2021 with a degree in political science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While on campus, he was an active member of the student government and the wheelchair basketball team. He now serves as a Development Officer in the University of Utah Athletics Department.

The Scholarship enabled him to “attend a prestigious institution… and, as a student athlete, he was able to explore new parts of the country.” He shares, “I would not be in the professional position I am in today without the Neilsen Scholarship.” He pays it forward by coaching and mentoring kids to get them ready for college life.

Tim is a proud University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alum, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in recreation, sport and tourism. Tim helps people with disabilities participate in outdoor recreation as a community builder at Outdoors For All in Seattle, Washington. His job allows him to combine his passions for disability advocacy and social justice with his love for recreation and the great outdoors.

The Scholarship helped Tim thrive as a student athlete at UIUC. “The friendships, connections, and networking opportunities I pursued were truly memorable,” he says. “The Scholarship set me up for my post-graduate career.”

Since graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a master’s in management, Dagoberto has taken his business data skills to Fannie Mae, where he works as an analyst.

He made the most of university life and gathered a great group of friends through classes and sports clubs, and now commits to sharing information about the Neilsen Scholarship with people he thinks might benefit, as he did: “The Scholarship gave me the mental peace of mind to focus on my studies without having to worry about finances.”

Since graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in community health, Patrick has become a senior analyst at talent acquisition company Slalom.

Patrick played wheelchair basketball in college and he and his teammates are now helping incoming athletes by creating an alumni scholarship fund. He insists the Neilsen Scholarship made furthering his education and university dream possible, because he would not have been able to afford it otherwise. “It gave me financial freedom,” he explains.

An athlete who loves basketball with a special interest in participation for those with disabilities, Erica obtained a bachelor’s degree from UIUC and is now looking for new ways to share her passion.

When given the opportunity to play wheelchair basketball for her university, she discovered herself “through lived experience as a student athlete,” and Erica now hopes to pay it forward by inspiring individuals with disabilities to pursue further education.

Molly was a Neilsen Scholar at the University of Michigan, where she earned a master’s in higher education and a medical degree, before continuing her studies at Stanford and Vanderbilt, where she is currently a resident. She is hoping to continue her work with the underserved and advance disability access.

The Scholarship allowed her to cover the costs of personal care attendants, so she could attend conferences and even interviews. Molly recalls playing wheelchair basketball against a group of able-bodied college guys, adding, “They put in a good effort, but we smoked them.”

Matthew graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in biological engineering and a master’s in technology entrepreneurship and kinesiology/movement science. He was also able to take part in collegiate adaptive sports and won a national wheelchair tennis championship.

The Neilsen Scholarship provided “many facets of support” that allowed Matthew to focus on learning. It inspired him to “build my career path around giving back to the disability community through medical device technologies.”

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UNLV in 2021, Bradley became the Director of Social Services at Silver State Pediatric Skilled Nursing Facility in Las Vegas. He also founded High Rollers Adaptive Sports Foundation, where he serves as Executive Director.

He now recruits fellow members of the SCI community for the Scholarship, provides peer mentorship, and funds a wheelchair rugby team. The Neilsen Scholarship broke down the barriers “to a fulfilling career” for Bradley, and he treasures his experiences and friendships.

Danny graduated from the University of Utah with a medical degree and is now a radiology resident in Riverside, California.

“The Neilsen Scholarship has inspired me to be more mindful of the ways I can give back to my community, and I am committed to paying it forward in any way that I can,” Danny says. Being a Neilsen Scholar allowed him to pursue his education without the stress of financial pressure: “I now have more time and energy to dedicate to my training and to pursuing opportunities that I may not have otherwise been able to take advantage of.”