Meet the IEF Scholars

The IEF Scholars are graduates of high schools in Illinois who have been selected through a rigorous application and interview process to receive a scholarship to an approved community college or four-year college. Our students pursue a range of certificates, Associate's and Bachelor's degrees.

Currently, our scholars are:

75% female
25% male
46% African-American
7% Asian-American
34% Hispanic
11% White
2% Other

Of those students who have received a certificate or Associate's degree, many have gone on to pursue Bachelor's degrees from four-year institutions in Illinois.

Get to know our students by clicking below!

click on a program to meet that program's scholars:

IEF Signature Scholarship

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2008 4-year college students

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Mourad Zgourdah: IIT, Civil Engineering

Mourad attended Wright College in the fall of 2007 and transferred to the Illinois Institute of Technology in the spring of 2008
He is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering

2008 Beginning IEF Scholars

click on a scholar's name for more information:

Jarrett Adams: South Suburban College, Pre-law

He plans to receive an Associate's Degree and transfer to Northwestern University to pursue law

Starr Alston: South Suburban College, Pharmacy

She is nearing the end of the Pharmacy Tech program
She will bridger over to the Pre-Pharmacy program after becoming a certified Pharmacy Tech

Hassan Argual: Wright College, Pharmacy

Pursuing an Associate's Degree in Science
Plans to transfer to a 4-year college or university majoring in Pharmacology

Alowonle Aweda: Kennedy-King College, Nursing

He is starting his third semester at Kennedy-King College
He plans to transfer to Wright College's LPN program
He currently works as a CNA

Sanjiv Basu: South Suburban College, Math

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Education
Would like to become a math teacher

Devin Burns: South Suburban College, Criminal Justice

He plans to join the police academy after attending South Suburban College

Daniel Calhoun: Wright College, Computer Science

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Science
Plans to transfer to Northeastern Illinois University majoring in Computer Science

Chardean Cockrell: South Suburban College, Child development

She is a second year student
She would like to eventually own her own day care center

Andrea Cohn: South Suburban College, Health information technology

She plans to transfer to a 4 year university after completing her Associate's Degree

Laura Dekker: South Suburban College, Social Work

She is returning to school after raising a family

Felicia Fulton: South Suburban College, Radiology

She is in the final year of the Radiology program

Rodrick Hill: Harold Washington College, A.A.

Pursing an Associate's of Arts Degree
Plans to transfer to a 4-year college or university majoring in Law

Joseph Jobmon: Wright College, Nursing

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Nursing

Jasmine Moore: South Suburban College, Social Work

She plans to become a social worker

Marcus Rogers: Olive-Harvey College, Communications

Marcus is returning to school after a break and participating in the Oddesey Project
His future educational goal is a B.A. in communications

Melissa Santana: Malcolm X College, Nursing

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Nursing
Plans to transfer to Lewis University to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Rose Ventigan: Wright College, Nursing

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Nursing

Bruce Wade: Malcolm X College, Mortuary Science

He is on track to receive an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science in the Spring of 2009
He plans to transfer to a 4 year university to major in Bio- Chemistry

DeVasha White: Harold Washington College, A.A.

Pursing an Associate's of Arts
Plans to transfer to St. Xavier University in Speech Pathology

2008 Continuing Students

click on a scholar's name for more information:

Andrew Genzler: Prairie State College, Music

Second year student and graduate of Beecher High School
He would like to become a music producer
He plays on the PSC soccer team
He plans to transfer to UIC in the Fall of 2009

Vianey Moreno: Wilbur-Wright, Undecided

Second year college student
Graduate of Roosevelt High School
Working part-time and as the oldest child, often has to look after her younger brothers and sisters
Leaning towards majoring in education or social work

Anarosa Reyes: Prairie State College, Nursing

Second year student and graduate of Bloom High School
Would like to become a registered nurse

Kaitlin Roback: Prairie State College, Education

Second year student and graduate of Rich East High School
Would like to become a high school math teacher
She plans to transfer to Illinois State University

Alexandra Rodriguez: Wilbur-Wright, Computer Information Systems

Second year college student
Graduate of Schurz High School
Ideal mentor: someone that works with computer systems

Magdalena Szkutnik: McHenry County College, Ciminal Justice

Pursuing a career as a police officer
Interested in criminal psychology

PSC Nursing Retention

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2008 PSC Nursing Scholars

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Jennifer Biank: Prairie State College, Nursing

Jeanette Brown: Prairie State College, Nursing

Laura Calker: Prairie State College, Nursing

Patricia Dennis: Prairie State College, Nursing

Andrea Florence: Prairie State College, Nursing

Rebecca Freeman: Prairie State College, Nursing

Cinquella Fullerton: Prairie State College, Nursing

Natalie Garcia: Prairie State College, Nursing

Anita Gonzalez: Prairie State College, Nursing

Chloe Haney: Prairie State College, Nursing

Charlene Haymond: Prairie State College, Nursing

Cheryl Hicks: Prairie State College, Nursing

Jennifer Leonard: Prairie State College, Nursing

Angela Lisota: Prairie State College, Nursing

Tinika Matthews: Prairie State College, Nursing

Percy Mawuli Fiadzigbe: Prairie State College, Nursing

Kimberly Mieszczak: Prairie State College, Nursing

Tiffany Moore: Prairie State College, Nursing

Helen Moraga: Prairie State College, Nursing

Maria Nmachukau: Prairie State College, Nursing

Tomelia O'Brian: Prairie State College, Nursing

Nikol Olivares: Prairie State College, Nursing

Cathy Peart: Prairie State College, Nursing

Phoebe Peterson: Prairie State College, Nursing

Jennifer Pilotto: Prairie State College, Nursing

Niki Ritchi: Prairie State College, Nursing

Daniel Rodgers: Prairie State College, Nursing

Sandra Rodriguez: Prairie State College, Nursing

Ashley Schucart: Prairie State College, Nursing

Vikki Slusarczyk: Prairie State College, Nursing

Juleann Sowka: Prairie State College, Nursing

Nikole Stewart: Prairie State College, Nursing

Miranda Strong: Prairie State College, Nursing

Kerri Swiatnicki: Prairie State College, Nursing

Anne Tedeschi: Prairie State College, Nursing

Tiffany Thomas: Prairie State College, Nursing

Kristy Wheeler: Prairie State College, Nursing

Susan Wolken: Prairie State College, Nursing

DMK, Jr. Scholarship

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Alumni

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Donnie Artis: Olive-Harvey, Respiratory Therapy

Donnie began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2005
Received an Associate's in Respiratory Therapy in 2007
In the process of taking the State Boards

Brittany Barber: Kennedy-King, Culinary Arts

Brittany began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
She recieved her associates in Culinary Arts

Wanda Boykin: Malcolm X, Nursing

Wanda began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2005
Received an Associate's in Nursing in 2006
Currently is employed as a nurse

Jeana Davis: Olive-Harvey, Nursing

Jeana began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Received her LPN from Olive-Harvey College in 2007
Currently employed as a nurse

Sherrie Givens: Daley, A.A.

Sherrie began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Received A.A. in 2007
Transferring to GSU

Diondra Greer: Wilbur-Wright, Nursing

Diondra began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2007
Graduated from the LPN program at Wright College in the Fall of 2007
Ideal mentor: a registered nurse

Sonya Guy: Kennedy-King, Nursing

Sonya began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2005
Received Associate's in Nursing in 2006
Currently is employed as a nurse

Pamela Johnson: Malcolm X, Radiography

Pamela began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Received Associate's in Radiography in 2007
Passed the State Board's in Radiography in 2007
Currently a Radiologic Technologist at Stroger Hospital

Karen King: Olive-Harvey, Nursing

Karen began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2005
Received an Associate's in nursing in May 2007
Planning on transferring to a 4-year university

Claudia Monsivais: Malcolm X, Surgical Tech

Graduated with her Associate's Degree in the Spring of 2008
Currently working as a Surgical Technician

Amerah Shafi: Malcolm X, PA

Amerah began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Received a PA certificate in 2007
Taking state boards

Laura Torres: Saint Xavier, Business and Finance

Laura began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Received her B.A. in Finance from St. Xavier University
Is employed at the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council

Shrese Williams: Malcolm X, Nursing

Shrese began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2005
Received Associate's in nursing in 2006
Currently is employed as a nurse

2008 Beginning CCC Students

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Margarita Contreras: Daley College, Early Childhood Education

She is in her third year at Daley College
She plans to transfer to a 4 year University to pursue a B.A. in education

Thyra Davis: Truman College, Education

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Education
Plans to transfer to Northeastern Illinois University

Bridget Dwyer: Daley College, Nursing

She is starting her first year in the nursing program
She plans to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in nursing after finishing at Daley College

Lavonta Fair: Wright College, Physical Therapy

He just graduated from Marshall H.S. and participated in the Black Men on Campus program
He plans to recieve an Associates in Science and transfer to a 4 year university
He is on the Wright College wrestling team

Janette Feliciano: Truman College, Nursing

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Nursing

DeAndre Galvin: Malcolm X College, Physician Assistant

DeAndre is taking required classes in order to apply for the PA program
He will also earn a certificate to work as a Surgical Technician while in school

Sam Izquierdo: Wright College, Engineering

Pursing an Associate's of Science Degree
Plans to transfer to University of Illinois Chicago majoring in Engineering

Teodoro Marrufo: Wright College, Music Business

Teddy is in his second year at Wright College
He returned to school after working as a stylist in a salon
He plans to transfer to Columbia College

Shawn Mayberry: Truman College, Business Administration

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Business
Plans to transfer to Northeastern Illinois University

George Mohith: Wright College, Nursing

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Nursing

Vera Moore: Daley College, Child development

She is starting her second year at Daley College
She is on track to earn an A.A. in Child development in the spring
She plans to transfer to UIC to major in psychology

Carolyn Morris: Malcolm X College, Nursing

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Nursing
Plans to transfer to Chicago State

Idris Shokunbi: Wright College, Bio Chemistry

Idris is in his final semester in route to an Associates in Science
He plans to transfer to Roosevelt University to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Bio-Chemistry

Amanda Star: Truman College, Education

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Education
Plans to transfer to DePaul University majoring in Secondary Education

Richie Torres: Truman, Nursing

Pursuing a career in nursing
Ideal mentor: someone in the medical field

Claywon Young: Truman College, Nursing

Pursing an Associate's Degree in Nursing
Plans to bridge into the RN program at Truman College

2008 4-year College Students

click on a scholar's name for more information:

Luis Adrianzen: IIT, Computer Science

Luis began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Received an A.A. in computer science from HW in 2007
Enrolled at IIT to pursue a degree in computer science with a concentration in software engineering
Would like to get an internship soon

Rashida Cooper: NIU, Accounting

Rashida began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Transferred to NIU from Harold Washington College
She is beginning her second year at NIU

Jorie Curry: Chicago State, Nursing

Jorie began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Received an A.S. in Nursing in 2007
Would love all the support; is very busy raising children and attending school

Brandi Fox: UIC, Anthropology

Brandi began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Currently enrolled at UIC, College of Arts & Sciences
Attends math tutoring at school

Adrienne Grant: NEIC, Communications

Adrienne began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Currently enrolled at NEIC to pursue a B.A.
Wants to set an example for inner city high school students

LaShante Griffin: Northeastern University, Health Science

LaShante began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Completed her Associate's in Biology in the Summer of 2008
Pursing a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science
Wants to work in a community health care setting

Sharmagne Husband: National Louis University, Secondary Education

Sharmagne began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2005
Received an Associate's in Education from Malcolm X college
Would like to be a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools

Matthew Hyland: UIC, Business

Matthew began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Pursuing a degree in International Business from UIC
Wants to finish school as quickly as possible and pursue a career in business
Would like to start a small business as a middle man/importer-exporter of small dairies or wine from France

Loyal McKinzie: SIU Carbondale, Business

Loyal began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Obtained a degree from Kennedy-King in business
Wants to become an entrepreneur
Would like to first have a career in sales

Jason Miller: St. Xavier University, Marketing

Jason began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Graduated with honors from Harold Washington College in the Spring of 2008
Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing

Shaheda Patel: Northwestern University, Biological Sciences

Shaheda began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Obtained an A.S. in biology from Wright College in 2007
Is pursuing a degree in biological sciences from Northwestern University and then would like to go to Medical School

2008 Continuing CCC Students

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Michael Barban: Wilbur-Wright, Science

He is interested in medical science
Ideal mentor: a doctor that does lab work

Annie Belcher: Wilbur-Wright, Nursing

Would like to be a nursing instructor
Ideal mentor: a registered nurse

Leslie Cedeno: Wilbur-Wright, Criminal Justice

She is interested in the police force or becoming a paramedic
Ideal mentor: a police officer in investigations

Ashley Cordova: Harold Washington, Education

Wants to pursue a career in elementary education
Ideal mentor: someone in the education field

Tanisha Johnson: Malcolm X, Nursing

Tanisha began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Attends the nursing program at MX and then would like to pursue a BSN in hospital administration
Ideal mentor: a woman nurse

Saeed Patel: Wilbur-Wright, Science

Saeed began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Will finish his A.S. at Wright and then transfer to a medical or pharmacy school
Wants to become a pharmacist or doctor
Ideal mentor: an experienced professional in the medical field

Mobina Patel: Truman, Nursing

Pursuing a career in nursing
Ideal mentor: someone in the medical field

Abigail Rabaca: Wilbur-Wright, Nursing

Abigail began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Will receive associate's degree in nursing in the Fall of 2008
Plans to transfer to University of Illinois Chicago in the Spring of 2009 to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Cecily Ramirez: Wilbur-Wright, Criminal Justice

Criminal justice major
Graduate from Schurz high school
Would like to be a detective in the homicide division
Ideal mentor: someone on the police force

Antischa Smith: Olive-Harvey, Marketing

Antischa began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
"Not all the way fit for college, so I accept it as a challenge"
Wants to raise academic standards and do things she hasn't done in high school
Ideal mentor: somebody who understands a person of her age and knows how difficult it is just to be yourself and knows what it's like to serve a purpose. Someone who is there when times are hard to give an extra push

Silvia Valerio: Olive-Harvey, Nursing

Silvia began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Has entered the nursing program and hopes to finish in two years
Wants to work at a hospital
Ideal mentor: someone who is understanding of nursing and can provide academic support

Dionna Williams: Malcolm X, Nursing

Dionna began receiving an IEF scholarship in the Fall of 2006
Wants to get into the nursing program
DMK program will help strengthen weaknesses
Ideal mentor: someone who has gone down similar path (CPS to CCC to nursing program)

DMK Foundation

Meet the IEF Scholars