Mishal Nizar, a senior from Aurora, Illinois, is majoring in Early Childhood Education in the College of Education. She currently serves as president of the Illinois Education Association (IEA) Aspiring Educators chapter at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is a member of Epsilon Delta, where she recently served as co-fundraising chair. Over breaks, Mishal teaches at a local Montessori school in Aurora.
She chose to attend Illinois for its strong education program, hands-on experiences and commitment to preparing educators for diverse classrooms. From co-teaching opportunities to leadership roles, Mishal says she knew Education at Illinois was the place where she could develop the skills and confidence to make a real impact on students’ lives. After she graduate in May, Mishal hopes to bring her high-level experience to the classroom to teach first grade and advocate for inclusive learning.
“The Professor Sarah McCarthey Endowed Scholarship has had a meaningful impact on my academic career by allowing me to focus more fully on my studies, leadership and teaching experiences without the added stress of financial concerns, especially since I am student teaching during the spring semester,” Mishal writes. “It has supported my growth as an educator and given me the opportunity to pursue experiences that prepare me to make a positive impact in classrooms. It has brought me closer to my goal of becoming an impactful educator.”
The Professor Sarah McCarthey Endowed Scholarship Fund was created to provide scholarships to undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled in the College of Education. A scholar in the College since 1999, Professor McCarthey held many appointments at Illinois, including department head of Curriculum & Instruction, associate head of graduate programs, Curriculum & Instruction, and professor. She witnessed the major financial barriers that many students entering college degree programs encountered; "I believe that an ongoing scholarship fund could help recruit and support outstanding students to the College," said McCarthey. "I hope the scholarship fund will continue our college-wide efforts to produce excellent teachers, educators, teacher educators and scholars who can make an impact in Illinois and in the United States."
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