UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Senior Yasmin Ray, an adult student in the psychology program at Penn State New Kensington, recently was named a 2015 recipient of the K. Leroy Irvis Undergraduate Scholarship by the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education.
Ray earned the $1,000 scholarship based on scholarship, interpersonal skills, leadership, writing, speaking and computational skills, extra-curricular activities participation, and a grade-point average above 3.0. The Irvis scholarship places special emphasis on the student’s leadership skills and academic record. In addition, she was judged on her essay, “Why I Should Receive a K. Leroy Irvis Scholarship Award?" The essay question was a requirement for all applicants. Ray’s essay highlighted overcoming adversity.
“Yasmin is highly motivated, works well independently and has good leadership skills,” said Angie Fisher, administrative support assistant for student affairs, who nominated Ray for the award. “She is well-organized and creative, and I believe she will make a major contribution in today’s society as she pursues a career as a guidance counselor.”
The Black Conference awarded $9,000 in scholarships to nine African-American students from institutions from across the commonwealth. Besides the Irvis scholarship, the organization awarded the John S. Shropshire Graduate Scholarship, the Esther-Jafari Haymon Undergraduate International Scholarship and the Robert D. Lynch Leadership Scholarship. Ray and other scholarship winners were recognized March 5 at the organization’s 45nd annual conference in Harrisburg.
A Penn State New Kensington student receiving the Irvis scholarship at the conference is becoming somewhat of a tradition. Hannah McBean, an adult student who earned her bachelor’s degree in organization leadership in December 2014, won the Irvis scholarship two years ago.
Ray’s connection to the Black Conference began in the fall when she attended the 28th annual Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute in Lancaster. She was joined by five other campus students who participated in the three-day event. Sponsored by the Black Conference, the event was designed to address topics essential to developing leadership skills for African-American, Latino-Americans, and other multicultural college students. The event gave Ray an opportunity to participate in workshops that examined cross-cultural communication, interpersonal relations, inclusive environments, and cultural awareness.
“To be perfectly honest, the experience changed my entire outlook on my future,” Ray said. “Sometimes having big dreams in a small town can alienate a person, but at this conference, I was surrounded by like minds with a vision for success not unlike my own. I appreciated the diversity among African-Americans, who are usually the minority in collegiate settings. There were many non-African-Americans in attendance receiving the same wonderful messages, resources and suggestions on how to be successful.”
In addition to recognition by the Black Conference, Ray was honored by the campus March 24 at the spring Scholarship Reception for earning a Dr. N.A. Kopelman and Freda D. Kopelman Trustee Scholarship. Created by Jim and Eileen Kopelman in 2009, the scholarship is awarded to students who have achieved superior academic record.
A lifelong resident of the city of New Kensington, Ray will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She expects to attend graduate school to further her education.
“Grad school will make me an even more appealing candidate when applying for positions in my field," said Ray, a member of the Dean’s List with a 3.75 grade-point average.
When she is not focused on her studies, Ray juggles her responsibilities as a mother of two children, and a volunteer for activities on campus and in the community. She is an active member in the Multi-Cultural Club, serves as the student representative on the campus Diversity Team committee, and works as the student marketing manager for the Athletic Department. Off-campus, she serves as a mentor to two students in the Pittsburgh Job Corps.
When she is not running around campus and the community, she is running around the track at Valley High School, where she graduated. Her running prowess paid off in November when she earned a bronze medal at the campus’ annual Turkey Trot 5K.
The soon-to-be alumna has a fond appreciation for the campus. She credits the campus community, faculty and staff, as well as fellow students, for helping her along the way.
“I am having a wonderful experience at Penn State New Kensington,” Ray said. “I am able to reach my goals knowing that I have a wonderful support system not only in my personal life, but at school too.”