2022 Alumni Endowed Scholarship Recipients

Donors, We Sincerely Thank You!

Ebube Okpechukwu

Human Biology, Bachelor of Science

Health Promotion, Minor

College of Natural Science 

Honors College

Kalamazoo, MI

To the Charles Drew Science Scholars Alumni and Donors,

Thank you so much for awarding me the Alumni Endowed Scholarship. I am grateful to have been chosen and will put it to use towards my education and allowing me to have more focus on my studies and academic endeavors. I want to let you all know a little bit more about me, academic plans, activities, and career goals so you can get a holistic view of who I am.

I am currently a senior here at MSU, majoring in human biology and minoring in health promotion and I am graduating in May!

I am a part of the Drew Science Scholars' program, along with the Honors College, MAPS (a club dedicated to allowing minorities to see others like them pursing to become a physician and go to medical school), and Honors Times Two (a club that focuses on mentoring elementary students and working on projects throughout the school year). I have also participated in research with the highly competitive BRUSH Summer Research Program here at MSU where my project focused on whether chemerin induced contractions of nonvascular isolated smooth muscle tissues contribute to obesity associated diseases. Through many of my extracurriculars along with experiences, I have grown tremendously in my confidence, diversifying my skills, and learning how to enhance my characteristics in a multitude of areas.

My academic plans currently consist of counting down the days till graduation in May! Aside from such, I would like to finish out my time here at MSU strong with my grades and academic growth since I have been here. I will be graduating with honor, along with my overall academic GPA above a 3.8.

I am currently studying to take my MCAT in April, and with the strong foundation provided from my courses along with my own drive and hard work, I plan to do well and achieve my desired score. Being a STEM major and all the required classes make it challenging but also an excellent feeling of accomplishment to receive grades that reflect the hard work I have put in to learn and exceed expectations. My plans after graduation are to take a gap year while applying to medical school to continue my interest in medicine and beginning in the Fall of 2024. During my gap year I plan to gain more clinical experience along with growth to be well prepared when I begin. 

My career goals are to become either a pediatrician or an emergency medicine physician so I will need the skills of good communication, good at studies and asking for help, patience, outgoing, hardworking, determined, and mainly confidence in myself. I want to become a physician because I want to be a part of the individuals who work towards bridging the gap between medicine and underserved and underrepresented communities. Ideally, this path for my life has rooted from me always loving to help others. I have always loved working with kids either for summer camps, sports, or reading partnership. I enjoy the kind of curiosity and easygoing perspective they always bring to whatever activity they are doing. Children are outgoing and a part of the future doctors, engineers, pharmacists so it is nice to see their insight into how the world is now. Me wanting to become an emergency medicine physician stem from the excitement of being able to see something new and exciting to help me be resourceful in an array of knowledge I have acquired over time. Both allow me to do what makes me happy and make sure people are getting the best version of me possible.

Being in the Drew Science Scholars Program has opened me to so many opportunities that without it, I wouldn’t have gotten where I am in my education today. Whether it is amazing academic coaches, classes specific to just drew students, consistent of others who have the same career goals as me, and much more. I wouldn’t have gotten any of my research experience I have done so far without Drew always dedicating time to inform students of so many opportunities. I am forever grateful for what Drew has done for me so far and what will come in the next few years after my time here at MSU. Thank you again for awarding me this scholarship and to the alumni who have set up an amazing foundation to give back to this great program.

Thank you greatly, 
Ebube Okpechukwu 

Faheed Shafau

Biomedical Laboratory Science

College of Natural Science

Honors College

Sterling Heights, MI

Dear Charles Drew Science Scholars alumni and donors,

I am writing to express my gratitude for the scholarship that you have awarded me. Receiving this scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies without the added stress of financial burden. I am truly honored and grateful for this award, which has motivated me to work even harder toward achieving my goals.

I want to share my academic plans, activities, and career goals with you. I am currently studying Biomedical Laboratory Science (BLS) at Michigan State University, hoping to enter the affiliated MD program. I chose Michigan State because of its outstanding programs and resources in Biomedical Laboratory Science, and the Drew community has been instrumental
in my journey toward achieving my academic goals. As a Drew Scholar, I have been part of a diverse, supportive community of students working toward academic excellence.

Aside from my studies, I serve as a Resident Assistant and Peer Mentor at Michigan State. In these roles, I strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for my residents and mentees. I am committed to helping others and providing them with the necessary resources and support to succeed.

My long-term goal is to become a Physician, and I have had the opportunity to shadow and scribe for physicians. It has validated the work I continue to put forward to my education. 

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Charles Drew Science Scholars alumni and donors for making this scholarship possible. Your generosity has had a profound impact on my life and has enabled me to pursue my dreams. I want to positively impact others as a physician and give back to the community in any way I can. Please accept my sincerest thanks.

Best regards,
Faheed Shafau

Lauren Bradford

Human Biology

College of Natural Science

Honors College

Detroit, MI

On behalf of the Charles Drew Science Scholars,

I am extremely thankful and appreciative for this scholarship!

This scholarship makes my dream of being a physician more tangible and will be a tremendous help as I will be the first doctor in my family.

Currently, I’m a junior majoring in Human Biology and minoring in Sociology with plans to attend Medical School in the Fall of 2024. Some student organizations I am involved with are the Pre-Medical Association, Student Allocations Board, REACH Outside, and Brody Black Caucus. I’m also a Brody Neighborhood Service Center Supervisor and was previously a Teacher’s Assistant for Dr. Caldwell in NSC 100 Fall 2022 and a Nursing Assistant at Beaumont Hospital. I'm a huge fan of food, sightseeing, animals, and spinning classes.

As for courses, I'm making the most of the content, because my knowledge will reflect how well I can impact a community.

Lastly, two quotes that I live by are, “Never be embarrassed by something you like,” and “There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way” (Thich Nhat Hanh).

Stay Hydrated,

Lauren Bradford

Raine Johnson

Raine Johnson

Human Biology

College of Natural Science

Honors College

West Bloomfield, MI

Dear Charles Drew Science Scholars Alumni and Donors,

I want to start off by saying thank you very much for making it possible for me to be awarded the Charles Drew Science Scholars Alumni Endowed Scholarship. I highly appreciate it and am honored to have been chosen.

I’m currently in my third year of obtaining my Human Biology degree, on the premedical track, and am eternally grateful for your contribution. With your help, I plan to continue giving my best effort academically and professionally as I continue working toward my goal of attending medical school to become a physician.

As a physician, I am currently hoping to specialize in Emergency medicine or Psychiatry, while working towards making healthcare more accessible for those who are underrepresented and underserved.

Throughout my journey thus far, I’ve had the opportunity to partake in several activities that have helped me grow as a student, person, and professional. I’ve been able to help MSU students with disabilities as a member of Tower Guard, provide support for those struggling with their mental health as a Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line, and help my mother kickstart her own cooking business to pursue her dreams. The experiences I’ve had have allowed me to grow tremendously, and have heavily influenced my goals of what I hope to accomplish as a physician.

While I am very grateful for what I’ve been able to accomplish, I am also aware that a lot of it wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Charles Drew Science Scholars Program. Without the advising, support, and encouragement that Drew offers, my accomplishments would not have been nearly as attainable. Drew has provided me with the resources necessary to become a better student and professional, as well as a community of peers with similar interests and backgrounds to navigate this journey alongside.

I’m very thankful for this scholarship and the Drew community, and hope to be able to share this same level of generosity in the future.

Sincerely,
Raine Johnson

Sophia Rubio

Physiology

College of Natural Science

Honors College

Rockford, MI

Dear Charles Drew Science Scholars Alumni and Donors,

My name is Sophia Rubio, and I first off would like to say thank you so much for donating these funds, and your time, towards this scholarship. I am so blessed to be selected for this and so thankful for you all for donating your time and resources for helping me.

I will be graduating from MSU this spring of 2023 and moving on in my education to become a Physician Assistant (PA). Throughout my time at MSU, the Drew program has provided me with resources to help me reach this goal of mine of being accepted into PA school. In August of 2023 I will start PA school at Grand Valley State University and will graduate in December 2025.

Like I said previously, I do not think I would be where I am today without the community Drew has provided me these past four years. Drew has allowed me to make connections with my peers, and faculty, who have helped me in numerous ways. Some have included forming study groups for various classes. Additionally, Drew has supported me in professional development such as getting help from a Drew Advisor, Ariel Robbins, in preparing me for interviews for PA school. Lastly, Drew has provided me with the opportunity to build connections which have led me to having a job in undergraduate research my freshman year at MSU. Drew has been the backbone of my success at MSU by providing me with a community since the start of my time here in East Lansing.

This scholarship helps relieves financial stress I have. It means so much to me that you were willing to donate funds to help financially support an individual like me. Since I was 16 years old, I have worked throughout school. I started at an ice cream shop, then waitressed at a restaurant, then worked as a certified nursing assistant, and since November 2020 I have worked at Sparrow Hospital as a Patient Care Technician. Even though I have worked hard throughout my schooling, there is still a huge financial burden placed on me and it has been lifted thanks to you all. I am blessed to have this scholarship to help relieve this stress I have going into graduate school this fall.

My hopes are to become a PA and to work in an underserved area to practice medicine here in Michigan. There are still so many patient populations who do not have quality health care services. By fulfilling my career goal of becoming a PA I will have the ability to see, treat, diagnose, and give back to individuals who are of minorities here in the state. Thanks to your help, I will have less financial stress in fulfilling this career goal of mine.

Thank you again for your time and help I appreciate it more than you know.

Sincerely,

Sophia Rubio

Xasha Gonzalez

Human Biology

College of Natural Science

Hart, MI

Dear Charles Drew Science Scholars Alumni and Donors,

My name is Xasha Gonzalez and I’m the recipient of the 2023 Alumni Endowed Scholarship. Thanks to your generous sponsorship of the Alumni Endowed Scholarship, I’m able to attend a spring break study abroad trip to Mexico.

I’m a 3rd year undergraduate student at Michigan State University. On this trip I will be volunteering at an agency that assists young girls K-12 that were once living by themselves. These students do not easily have the access to education as others do. This experience in Mexico will aid me for my internship this summer at Michigan State’s College of Human Medicine. Through this internship I will be discovering ways to create a bridge between Latinx students that are interested in Medicine and providing them access to the resources that we often are not able to find as a minority at Michigan State.

In the spring of 2024 I will be graduating with my bachelorette in Human Biology and minor in Chicano Latino Studies. I plan to take a gap year immediately following graduation to build up my resume and gain clinical experience for my medical school application. I will then continue my education focusing my studies in Dermatology to become a Cosmetic Dermatologist. My Latinx community lacks the resources in this field and I want to provide them the bridge to this gap in the industry. I’m confident that the expertise and knowledge I will continue to gain at Michigan State will help me to make a lasting impact on the Latinx community in the medical industry.

The Charles Drew Science Scholars program has provided me with endless amounts of continuous opportunities. I have been given multiple opportunities to excel through academic coaching, academic advising, and career advising. Drew’s efforts to support underrepresented students shows their commitment towards academic achievement, career exploration, and community engagement/service. I have been blessed to be a part of this beautiful program and I look forward to what is to come in my future.

The Alumni Endowed Scholarship paid for my money expenses which alleviated my financial burden and allowed me to focus on my studies. Thank you for your continued sponsorship of the Alumni Endowed Scholarship.

Sincerely,
Xasha Gonzalez