"CEW+ sees the big picture and has nontraditional students at the center of their mission."

After living in Michigan for over ten years with both of her daughters, Dr. Linda Grant began working on her Ph.D in Sociology within the College of Literature, Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan. During her first year as a student, Dr. Grant and her youngest daughter commuted to Ann Arbor from Detroit nearly every day whilst Dr. Grant simultaneously worked at Wayne County Community College as a teacher and as both a teacher’s assistant and research assistant at the U-M. Balancing work, study, and family was no easy feat, and Dr. Grant faced difficulties both financially and emotionally as she returned to school and faced an extremely competitive environment among her fellow students. Gladly, Dr. Grant was quickly able to familiarize herself with Ann Arbor, move her family into the area after concluding her first year of studies, and find various helpful colleagues and services within the community, one being CEW+. 

Before deciding to apply for the CEW+ Scholarship, Dr. Grant contemplated teaching an additional course at Wayne County Community College to help make ends meet, which she felt would have made her studies much more challenging. However, after applying and receiving the CEW+ Scholarship & Student Financial Aid in 1978, Dr. Grant was able to only take on one course at the Community College, stating that this scholarship, in particular, acted as proof that she deserved funding to finish her education and was also able to give her the space she needed to prove herself. Additionally, Dr. Grant was able to create a community within CEW+, stating that the Center was able to help her both financially and emotionally. During her time at the U-M, Dr. Grant remembers meeting important connections within the CEW+ community, including Jacqueline Eccles and Jean Campbell. In specific, Dr. Grant remembers receiving help from Jean Campbell, the founder of CEW+, as she built a resume to ensure consistent funding from my department of Sociology. Additionally, Dr. Grant would also attend the Center’s discussion groups for student parents and was able to use the Center’s resources, such as keeping students’ personal possessions throughout the day, to help with convenience during her time in Ann Arbor. In Dr. Grant’s opinion, the Center is of extreme importance because it “put it all together; CEW+ sees the big picture and has nontraditional students at the center of their mission”. 

After graduating from the U-M in October of 1981, Dr. Grant went on to teach at Southern Illinois University and the University of Georgia, where she conducted research, received various awards for mentorship, and worked as a professor until 2013. Looking back at her experience, Dr. Grant urges current and future CEW+ scholars to ask for help when needed and be gracious with themselves as they think back on all they have been able to accomplish and all they have the potential to accomplish in the future.

 

To help celebrate the 50th anniversary of CEW+ awarding scholarships, please consider making a gift to our Potential Made Possible Scholarship fund. Your donation can help ensure the next 50 years of CEW+ scholars. Click here for more information.