ACI General Scholarship

ACI Scholar: Carl D. – Knox College

Knox College student-athlete Carl Dortch is a powerful example of resilience in action. When Carl arrived on campus, he brought with him a deep motivation to build a better future—one shaped by perseverance and purpose, rather than the challenges faced by his family. “I’m working every day to live a life of success and happiness,” … Read more

ACI Scholar: McKayla Z. – Elmhurst University

Mikayla Zinkel, a senior at Elmhurst University, exemplifies the resilience and determination that define so many first-generation college students. She is pursuing a double major in Criminal Justice and Biology, along with minors in Communications, Sociology, and Psychology. A transfer student from McHenry County College, where she graduated as valedictorian, Mikayla arrived at Elmhurst with … Read more

Temilolu Slack – Benedictine University

Temilolu Slack is survivor, who is focused now on a graduate degree in clinical psychology from Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois. Slack, a first-generation student from Willowbrook, Illinois, has survived domestic abuse, serious health problems and surgeries related to asthma/COPD, and the COVID-19 pandemic. One days, she hopes to earn a doctoral degree. Slack began her … Read more