Harper College will be closed Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1 for Winter Break.
Sonia Ajakaiye is a first-generation college student from Nigeria who moved to the
U.S. in high school. She is entering her final year at Harper College and working
toward her associate of science in nursing. Sonia has an interest in the areas of
neonatal, maternal or pediatric nursing, and specifically has a goal of specializing
in mother and baby or neonatal intensive care. She plans to transfer to a 4-year institution
following graduation from Harper to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and eventually
a Master of Science to help achieve her career goals.
Sonia holds two jobs while completing her education. She works at Endeavor Northwest
Community Healthcare and as a student aide at the Harper Educational Foundation. She
is also involved in an array of extracurricular and community service activities including
Harper Black Student Union, Health Career and Pre-Med Club, and serves as the Honor
Club president and treasurer for Phi Theta Kappa. She has volunteered at Inspiration
Café, Feed My Starving Children, and for the Cook County Forest Preserves.
In her scholarship essay, Sonia shares her passion for becoming a nurse, “My long-term
goal is to be a nurse specializing in different areas of children’s and women’s health,
such as mother and baby, labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care and pediatrics.
I want to provide excellent care to mothers throughout the childbearing and delivery
process and care for the babies as soon as they are born. Receiving the HOPE Scholarship
will be a tremendous help because it will allow me to work less and study more.”
Yosephine Lee is starting her final year at Harper College Nursing working toward
her Associate of Science in Nursing. Knowing early that the pursuit of a career in
nursing was her goal, she began pre-requisites for the Harper nursing program as a
sophomore in high school. Yosephine finds inspiration from her mother who she cites
as the motivation for entering the field. She plans to transfer to UIC following graduation
from Harper to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing and continue on to earn a Master
of Science to become a nurse practitioner.
Yosephine maintains a 4.0 while also working in the nursing practice lab as a peer tutor, serving as a member of the Nursing Program Advisory Board, is a Distinguished Trustee Scholar, president of Phi Theta Kappa, and executive board member for Harper’s Amnesty International Chapter. She also had the opportunity to participate in Harper’s study abroad programs in Cuba and Kenya.
In her scholarship essay, Yosephine says, “Ever since I was young, I had an early interest in certain patient care practices. Having older immigrant parents, I was exposed to the reality of chronic illness. In my future practice, I will encourage women to be as attentive to their health as they are to their loved ones. Receiving the HOPE Scholarship benefits not only me but my family as well, alleviating financial burden and allowing me to enroll in more hours at Harper, resulting in higher success in my future.”
Masuma Muttaqi is an international student from Pakistan, who chose to pursue higher
education in the U.S. at Harper College. She is working toward her associate of science
focusing on clinical psychology. She notes that growing up in a culture with stigma
around mental health led to her passion for making a difference by generating understanding
regarding mental health and psychology. She hopes to transfer to UIC or UIUC to earn
her Bachelor’s in psychology.
She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has participated in multiple activities and community service to grow academically and in her career. She is a member of the International Student Club, Psychology Club, took on the role of social media coordinator for the Muslim Student Association. She volunteers at her mosque as a Sunday school teacher, was a volunteer at the international medical camp in Karbala, Iraq during the Arbaeen pilgrimage where she provided support to people from around the world. In high school, Masuma was a member of her high school speech and debate team in Pakistan and was a competitive swimmer. Masuma is fluent in five languages.
Masuma shares in her scholarship essay, “My future education and career goals are deeply rooted in my passion for psychology and mental health advocacy. My ultimate goal is to make a difference in how mental health is perceived and supported in my community. I want to break the stigma surrounding mental health in Pakistan. The HOPE Scholarship enables me to pursue my goals and contribute to breaking the societal taboos surrounding mental health in my home country.”
Audrey Parker is studying engineering, with a goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering. She notes that her interest in the field stems from observing her mother’s career as an oncology pharmacist. She plans on pursuing a specialization in biomaterials with a strong focus on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Audrey maintains a 4.0 GPA and has demonstrated leadership through a wide range of extracurricular activities and community service. She was a 4-year varsity swim and dive team member and badminton athlete during high school. Audrey, a dedicated tenor saxophone player, participated in District 214 honors orchestra, honors band, jazz band ensembles, the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band, and the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra. She is a member of the Harper Honors program and has performed service activities in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
Audrey shares in her scholarship essay, “Biomedical Engineering is the science behind the hospital, the physical, the surgeon. I’d love to eventually develop therapies that allow patients to reduce their chronic pain symptoms and help develop medical innovations through research. Receiving additional aid through the HOPE Scholarship helps further my educational career and will help me succeed when I transfer.”
Ellen Trost-Rekich is studying environmental engineering. A long-time student of Mandarin
Chinese with passion for Chinese culture, Ellen graduated high school early to study
on a NSLI-Y scholarship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan for a year. She cites the experience
in that city as further igniting her passion to make positive change to mitigate environmental
crises and ensure a better future for the next generation. She plans to pursue her
Bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University and has sights set on an eventual dual
Master’s degree in environmental engineering and Mandarin Chinese.
Ellen has demonstrated leadership through her participation in a variety of clubs and activities. She was a member of the Chinese Club, HOSA and LYFE Club in high school. At Harper, she is a member and treasurer of the Environmental Club. She is a member of the International Students Club, YDSA, Honors Society, and Phi Theta Kappa. She has volunteered as a mentor for students with special needs in theater productions for the last 6 years and is involved with the “Miss Amazing” program, an event which empowers women with special needs.
In her scholarship essay, Ellen shared, “I am deeply committed to advancing environmental education and promoting cultural environmental literacy for all through environmental engineering. My goal is to create a greener, more compassionate and equitable world for generations to come. The HOPE Scholarship will help lighten the financial load that school brings and continue my education further so I can achieve my goals.”
Click here to register for the scholarship awards reception.