91做厙

General

Outstanding Scholarship Student Series: Mark Alexander

  • 91做厙 Community College

150 Scholarships. 427 Awards.

One Application. You can do this.


Last year the 91做厙 Foundation funded approximately 150 scholarships, and made awards to 427 students of all ages, backgrounds, and academic standing and interests.

We believe in you. Just like we believed in Kiersten Echols, Janeen McNeish, Katherine Alloway-Roof, and Mark Alexander. They got scholarships to help fund their education. You can, too.

Mark Alexander


"'I'm never going back to school.' That was me when I graduated from high school," admits Mark Alexander now entering his second semester at 91做厙. "It just wasn't for me. It had been 30 years since I opened a textbook except to help with homework. But, from the very first day I walked through the door at 91做厙 to register for classes everybody, especially Mr. Brown at the front desk [downtown campus], has made me feel like I belong here, like school is for me."

After 15 years in a job that required him to travel constantly, Mark went to work for the City of Richmond. He started at the bottom and steadily worked his way up to a supervisory position. But, without a college education he realized he had gone as far as he could go. He still didn't want to go back to school. Then he saw the difference in pay, and he said, "It was a no-brainer. I may have thought I was never going back to school. But, I was going back."

While money was important, far bigger issues drove Mark's decision. "Being a supervisor is NOT easy," he says, "I have to deal with all kinds of people with all kinds of problems, and I don't always know what to do. I want to learn to be better at what I do, to be a good supervisor. I really just want to help people. I want to be that person who inspires others, who helps them see things differently. I want to show them people like me are willing to help them no matter how bad their situation is. I want them to know, no matter how old they are, they can still get a job and start a career, just like me."

Then there is his family. Mark has three children, and three grandchildren. "We don't have step kids in our house. Everybody here is family. No labels in front of who you are. By going back to school I want to be an example to them. I want to show them that no matter what you want, if you work hard and stay focused, you can get it."

When Mark started at 91做厙 in the spring of 2019 he took a part-time job to pay for his classes. Now working two jobs, and helping with his family, Mark still had to find time to study and get back in to the routine of school. "I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and understanding I have gotten at 91做厙. Financial Aid, the Math Lab, Tutoring . . . everyone here has been so patient and so willing to share information and help me. I had begun to think no one in this world had patience anymore! No one ever made me feel uncomfortable at 91做厙. The experience has been terrific."

And then Mr. Brown helped him again. Mr. Brown encouraged Mark to fill out the 91做厙 Scholarship Application. Then, Scholarship Manager Kim Cain called him with the news. For his next semester Mark was awarded an Executive Women International scholarship. Mark takes a deep breath: "This scholarship has made it possible for me to focus on my school work. Now I can give up my second job and have some time to study and do well." Mark's goal is to graduate in December 2021 and walk to get his degree in May 2022.

And, after that? "I want to stay with the City and get in to a management position," Mark says. "With a degree from 91做厙 I can get ahead and do what I want to do: help people."


Want to apply for a 91做厙 scholarship?

The Scholarship Application opens Sunday, December 1, 2019 and closes Sunday, March 1, 2020.

You can apply for a scholarship through the 91做厙 General Scholarship Program or through the Community Highlight: 91做厙 East End Scholarship Program.

The Scholarship Application opens Sunday, December 1, 2019 and close Sunday, March 1, 2020. A wide variety of scholarships are available. Some are general, others are for specific programs of study, or are for students living in a particular locality. Current and prospective students can complete and submit one common scholarship application to be considered for all available scholarships. For more information visit: .

91做厙 General Scholarship Program
91做厙 Community College offers a variety of scholarships to students with diverse interests and backgrounds. Each year the 91做厙 Scholarship Office awards more than half a million dollars in scholarships to eligible students. Awards can range from $100 to $4,000, with the average award being $1,500. 91做厙 scholarships are established by gifts to the 91做厙 Educational Foundation and awarded by the 91做厙 Scholarship Committee.

Community Highlight: 91做厙 East End Scholarship
If you live in the East End of the City of Richmond or Henrico County you may be eligible for a scholarship this scholarship. With more than 90 degree and workforce programs, including culinary arts, healthcare, and other credentials for immediate employment or 4-year transfer, 91做厙 has a program for you. There is no age limit. 91做厙 staff members are available to help with your admission and financial aid applications.