The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation, a privately-funded, non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, announced today it has awarded $208,000 to 121 students residing at Michaels’ on and off-campus student living communities throughout the country.
“We could not be more proud to invest in the educational dreams of our residents,” said John J. O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer of The Michaels Organization, a national leader in residential real estate. “Our mission of Lifting Lives goes beyond just providing housing. We ensure our residents are given the resources they need to reach their highest potential in every aspect of their lives.”
This year’s Michaels Student Living Scholars represent a wide range of majors and areas of expertise from colleges and universities such as Dartmouth College, Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, and the University of California, Davis.
Among the recipients is Connie Lee, a graduate student at Keck Graduate Institute and resident at Oasis Commons in Claremont, CA. Lee is studying to become a physician assistant and has committed herself to researching how biopsychosocial factors influence health. She also spends time providing HIV testing and counseling to the unhoused community across East Los Angeles.
Another remarkable 2023/2024 Michaels Student Living Scholarship recipient is Zofia Cieslak, a medical student at Dartmouth College and resident at Summit on Juniper in Lebanon, NH. Cieslak has done important research on identifying biomarkers that could lead to early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Her passion for preventative medicine will undoubtedly make her successful in increasing access to lifesaving care for all.
The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation was created in 1991 to assist residents in pursuing higher education at colleges, universities, or trade/professional schools. Combined with the scholarship funds bestowed to residents at Michaels’ affordable and military living communities earlier this year, the Foundation has now awarded a total of $2,042,500 to over 300 students for the 2023/2024 academic year.
All foundation funds are raised through voluntary contributions by corporations, companies, families, private trusts, and individuals throughout The Michaels Organization’s business network. All donations are then matched $2 for every $1 by The Michaels Organization’s Founder and Chairman, Michael J. Levitt, and his wife, Pat Levitt.
Scholarships are awarded annually, and students may reapply each year of their education for continuing grants. In total, the Foundation has awarded $14 million over the past 32 years.
Students who reside at an on- or off-campus apartment community that is owned or managed by Michaels Student Living are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. The Scholars always represent a diverse group of individuals from all walks of life. Though their backgrounds and interests are all different, their dedication and drive to further their education and focus on their future are all equivalent. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate students who live at Michaels communities are eligible to apply for this honor.
Shared November 21, 2023.