Drexel Announces Recipients of Civic Engagement Scholarships

SACRAMENTO - Drexel University Sacramento recently announced that three Sacramento area women have been awarded the Civic Engagement Scholarship.

 LaWanda Wesley of Sacramento, Gaosheng McCauley of Citrus Heights and Woodland's Leia Matern are the recipients of $15,000 scholarships to attend Drexel's graduate program in Sacramento. The scholarship can be applied to tuition for any of the part-time graduate degree programs offered by Drexel.

 Drexel University Sacramento offers the scholarships as a continuation of its effort to develop the next generation of business, nonprofit and civic leaders whose skills will be of great importance to the future of the Sacramento region.

 "Drexel is known for innovation and partnering with its community to make a difference," said Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Drexel University Sacramento. "We are delighted to provide these scholarships to three deserving women. Our dynamic program will give them the opportunity to position themselves as leaders in both their careers and communities."

 Scholarship finalists were interviewed by the award committee, which was comprised of leaders of the Sacramento region's chambers of commerce and civically engaged partners.

 McCauley is enrolled in Drexel's MBA program and works as a senior financial analyst, specializing in cost accounting for Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region, where she has been employed for eight years.

 Of Hmong and Thai origin, McCauley is a first-generation American. She received a bachelor's degree in accounting at CSU-Sacramento. Her more recent volunteer efforts include serving on the board of Working Women International, a non-profit organization serving economically disadvantaged women. She also aids the homeless and participates in food ministry through Project 61.

 "I'm very appreciative and blessed to receive this scholarship from Drexel and excited for the opportunity to advance my professional skills at a university that has established a prestigious, top-ranked graduate program," McCauley said. "Drexel goes beyond the typical graduate school experience. The curriculum not only provides a top-tier classroom experience, but also puts a premium on preparing people like myself for leadership roles in both the workforce and the community. I consider a Drexel education a great investment for my future."

 Wesley received her bachelor's degree in child development at CSU-Chico and later earned a master's degree in education and a doctorate in educational leadership, both at CSU-Sacramento. She is a pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and management at Drexel.

 Wesley is a program director and resource manager for Child Development Incorporated in Sacramento. Her extensive work background includes being an adjunct professor at Cosumnes River College, where she taught early childhood education. A mother of five children, her volunteer work includes supporting the Sacramento Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

 "It is a privilege and an honor to be chosen as one of the Civic Engagement Scholarship recipients and represent Drexel University, a top-ranked graduate institution," Wesley said. "I feel it's my moral obligation and duty to give to Sacramento's early care and education workforce. Drexel shares my passion to help the community. I look forward to the enlightening classroom experience and the leadership tools that I will receive as a Drexel student."

 Matern is a lab assistant for the Bohart Museum of Entomology in Davis. She has bachelor's degree in biology and entomology from the University of Idaho, where she was captain of the swim team as a scholarship athlete. She does lab work for the museum and also manages and train interns.

 Matern is enrolled in the Masters of Public Health program at Drexel. She began volunteer work as a teenager, doing search and rescue for a sheriff's department. She currently is a volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Sacramento.

 "I'm thrilled that Drexel provides a scholarship based on civic engagement and honored to be one of the recipients," Matern said. "A Drexel education is a wonderful investment in the future, not just for myself, but also for my employer and my community. Drexel provides students with the tools they need to be innovative, ground-breaking leaders in their respective fields and also tremendous assets to their community."

 All of Drexel's academic programs are focused at the heart of Greater Sacramento's growth and economic development initiatives - health, entrepreneurial business, human resources, and education.

 Since its inception in 2009, Drexel University Sacramento has offered a variety of fellowships, scholarships  and grants that are only available in Sacramento, enhancing the region's existing leadership initiatives and supporting working professionals as they advance their careers.

 Drexel - a top-ranked, national comprehensive university - offers Sacramento students six master's, one doctorate and one post-baccalaureate program designed for working professionals in the fields of entrepreneurial business, human resource development, higher education and public health. 

 Drexel will hold its next information session on Wednesday, Nov. 7. For more information about Drexel's graduate programs in California or to sign up online, visit www.drexel.edu/sacramento or call (888) 389-3781 or (916) 325-4600.