Supporting Growth by Pursuing
a career in Social Work  

Ursile Louis-Jacques '18


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Ursile Louis-Jacques, a sophomore at MCLA and a new member of the Phonathon team, is a student who values networking. As a sociology major, Ursile is impassioned by human development both in her personal life and community. Ursile believes the success of MCLA's students is in large part due to the small class size and close-knit community. Ursile has built her college experience around that close connection and says she has connected with many people on campus and values what residence life offers. As an individual, Ursile believes the College has helped shape her thoughts and project ideas more fully. She has learned to define her beliefs, establish a foundation of respect, and encourage honesty, especially when being honest with herself. Additionally, her time at MCLA continually motivates her to work hard and be productive, and this sense of determination is similarly rooted in her hope to eradicate social injustice.

When admitted to MCLA, Ursile decided to center her study around her love of social work. She aspires to support growth among a collective group of people, whether that group should be friends and family or society at large. She feels that the opportunities MCLA provides have brought her dreams to fruition, introducing her to the skill-sets necessary for success.

Ursile says she chose to participate in Phonathon because she agrees with the program’s initiative to promote student success through scholarship aid. Through her efforts with Phonathon, Ursile helps to forward MCLA’s mission to ensure student access to a liberal arts education. She says, "It is through the lessons taught withing the classroom, combined with experiences gained through hands-on learning opportunities that students like me transform our way of thinking and discover our path for success."

During her time at MCLA, Shadea has fully embraced the many opportunities available to her, participating in theatre, the WJJW Radio Station, and Dance Company. This semester, Shadea is embarking on what may be “one of the most rewarding experiences of her life,” studying abroad at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas. While there she will be taking classes in English, Communications, and Theatre, auditioning for their dance team, and exploring opportunities with the University’s radio station. Shadea’s study abroad experience was made possible through the National Student Exchange Program and was funded by applying her financial aid awards from MCLA. 
 
Shadea is just one example of the impact financial aid makes. Did you know that 46% percent of all MCLA students were eligible for Federal Pell Grants last year and that 90% of all MCLA students applied for financial aid? Due to this increasingly pressing need, this year the College has introduced a special scholarship initiative to help increase funds available to our students and their families. The need is greater now than ever before. When you give to the Alumni Fund, you are making it possible for MCLA’s students, like Shadea, to begin and complete their journey; allowing them to fulfill their dreams and discover their passions. 

 

 
eradicate social injustice
 

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