What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Chalse: A degree in Information and Cognitive Science

What excites you most about your future?

Chalse: I am excited to live in a new city. Seattle is a beautiful place and I am excited to meet new people and start a new adventure there.

What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Chalse: Use all of the resources Blavin offers to you all! There’s so much that has helped me personally, financially, and so much more.

What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Chalse: That my past doesn’t define me, and that my future is bright!

What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Barbara: A degree in Psychology

What excites you most about your future?

Barbara: I have always wanted to help those who have a trauma background.

What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Barbara: My biggest takeaway is that I did not have to do everything on my own. I’ve tried doing everything on my own and it stressed me out and it made me realize that it takes a village.

What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Christina: A degree in Nursing

What excites you most about your future?

Christina: What excites me most about my future is all of the opportunities that I have within my career and finally being able to do something that I’ve worked so hard for all of these years. Seeing that everything has paid off will be very rewarding.

What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Christina: I would say to really take advantage of the resources, don’t be afraid to reach out when you need help or someone to talk to, and be sociable and meet new people within the Blavin Scholar family.

What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Christina: My biggest takeaway would be to not forget that even though you might have a compromised system of support, there are many people who are willing to step in and be the support you need and it makes all of the difference as much as having an uncompromised support system would.

What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Catherine: A degree in Evolutionary Anthropology and a Religion minor

What excites you most about your future?

Catherine: All the possibilities and the opportunity to make an impact on the world!

What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Catherine: PLEASE take advantage of the modules/conferences/advice from Blavin events because I learned so much about college and the next steps through them.

What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Catherine: That there is always “a liaison for that”

The Blavin Scholarship and Program provides students who have experienced time in foster care with comprehensive support in navigating and maximizing their college experience as they pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan.