Early Programming Benefits Schultz Fellows

The Schultz Family Foundation First-Generation Empowerment Scholarship, which awards NMU students up to $15,000 per year up to four years, was "crafted on the notion that, while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not." The 32 inaugural recipients engaged in pre-semester programming focused on relationship-building, connections to resources and the U.P. community, financial literacy and career readiness.

"First-gen students bring with them resilience, independence and drive, but it can be hard for them to navigate a college system they don't have any previous knowledge about," said Nicole Eldridge, director of first-generation services and assistant dean of students. "The goal of the programming was to help them acclimate in advance of their first semester to make navigation easier. We plan to meet with them at least monthly moving forward to build on some of the topics we introduced. And when the new cohort begins next year, these students will be involved in that as well."

Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO Howard Schultz was a first-generation student who earned a bachelor's degree in communications from NMU in 1975. Inspired by a return visit to campus, he and his wife, Sheri Kersch-Schultz, announced a $1 million gift to NMU through their Schultz Family Foundation to support the empowerment scholarships and related pre-semester programming, along with initiatives to promote student-athlete success.

"I am beyond grateful that the burden of financial stability in college is now lifted off my shoulders, and I have the opportunity to pursue the life I am destined for," said Schultz Fellow Sebastian Tavares. "The opportunity to arrive on campus and connect with the other fellows was such an amazing experience. It allowed me to settle in and be comfortable being in a new state and to make friends all over again. The activities we did as a group were engaging, educational and incredibly fun; they definitely got us to grow closer together in the time we were here. It also mirrored how life would be like in college with both freedoms and responsibilities."

The Schultz Fellows traveled to campus from nine states. They moved into the residence halls early and participated in a variety of activities. The students completed a trail-building service project with the Noquemanon Trail Network, which introduced them to some of the area's outdoor recreation opportunities. They also took a day trip that included a Pictured Rocks cruise and Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan's "big spring."

Two activities promoted financial literacy. A local financial adviser came in and talked with the fellows about budgeting, then Grant Langdon from NMU Career Services led the Northern Money Games, where players control the budget to get the best net worth, credit score and quality of life.

"For career readiness, we did the CliftonStrengths assessment, which helps people leverage their strengths and talents for personal and professional growth," said Eldridge, who received programming assistance from Gwen Feamster, a GA in the Center for Student Enrichment. "We also taught them a bit about Handshake and how they can apply for jobs on campus or in the community. Each day we had a structured schedule for them that followed a particular theme, and the activities were both educational and fun. Some of them even went up on the catwalk in the Superior Dome."

"Without the Shultz Family Foundation scholarship, I wouldn't be in college," said Chase Adams. "Moving in early gave me time to figure out how to live on campus before the hustle and bustle of the semester started. It also gave me a community of people that are first-gen students as well, to start our Northern Journey. The most beneficial activity for me was the trail building with NTN. It gave us a project that we could call ours and, it gave us something we can look back on in 10 years and smile. Our friendships grew as did the trail that day. Northern and the Marquette communities are incredibly welcoming. This is truly a safe and amazing place to live, learn and grow."

Learn more about the Schultz Family Foundation First-Generation Empowerment Scholarship here.