TRANS ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

The Academic Scholarship cycle
is currently closed.

the Academic Scholarship cycle
is Now Open!

This scholarship fund is to help Transgender students with education-related expenses while pursuing a degree or certificate from a college, university, or technical/vocational program with a satellite campus or permanent presence in Kent County, MI. There is no residency requirement.

This award is open to people who identify as Transgender (which may include Non-binary, Two-Spirit, third gender, transsexual, and/or any other non-cis gender identity) and who demonstrate financial need. No age or GPA requirement. Students of color and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Student privacy is respected. We will not share any identifying information without the applicant’s written permission.

The application cycle for 2024-2025 is now closed. The application cycle for 2025-2026 will open on December 1, 2024

 

All questions should be directed to <applications@grtransfoundation.org>.

This scholarship fund is to help Transgender students with education-related expenses while pursuing a degree or certificate from an accredited college, university, or technical/vocational program with a satellite campus or permanent presence in Kent County, MI. There is no residency requirement.

This award is open to people who identify as Transgender (which may include Non-binary, Two-Spirit, third gender, transsexual, and/or any other non-cis gender identity) and who demonstrate financial need. No age or GPA requirement. Students of color and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Student privacy is respected. We will not share any identifying information without the applicant’s written permission.

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic school year are now open! Applications and all paperwork are due May 1, 2024, by 5pm.

To apply, follow these steps:

1. Double-check that you meet the following criteria:

  • You identify as Transgender (this may include Non-binary, Two-Spirit, third gender, transsexual, and/or any other non-cis gender identity).
  •  You are pursuing a degree or certificate in Kent County, MI. This should be from a college, university, or technical/vocational program in Kent County, MI (including satellite campuses like GVSU and Ferris). Vocational programs in cosmetology, yoga, welding, etc. will also be accepted. There are no residency requirements.

2. Prepare your statement of goals.

You’ll need to have your statement of goals ready to submit before applyingThis should be in PDF or DOCX format, be 500 words or less, and respond to the following prompts:

  • Tell us about your goals. How will this academic scholarship help your life outcomes and your ability to reach your goals?
  • Describe any individual circumstances that present difficulties in pursuing your goals. Have you experienced barriers in education, employment, housing, or otherwise related to your Trans identity?

3. Online Application

Once your statement of goals is ready to go, complete the application at the button below! Applications are due May 1, 2024, by 5pm.

Questions and concerns should be directed to <applications@GRTransFoundation.org>.

4. Financial Release

Please download the document below, complete the top half only, and submit it to the Financial Aid office of your first-choice institution. Your institution will fill in the bottom half, send it back to you, and you’ll email that completed version to <applications@GRTransFoundation.org>. 

It is strongly recommended that you submit this document to your institution no later than April 17, 2024, two weeks prior to the application deadline. Two versions of this document are found below (one with GRTF branding and one without); please choose the one you feel most comfortable with.


Past Scholarship Recipients

2023

$2500

A picture of Joel Reyes Hernandez (they/them), a Non-Binary Latinx person with dark short cropped hair and brown eyes. They are wearing a white button up shirt and have a soft, slight smile on their face.

Joel Reyes
They/Them
GRCC, Pre-Sociology

“In 2020, it was my last semester at university in my home country when I experienced a horrific assault because I was a queer open gay activist. I was forced to leave everything behind for my own safety, and I came to the United States as an Asylum Seeker. It’s been difficult, and I’ve experienced a dangerous living situation that ended with me homeless. This scholarship will help me get my things in life together after these difficult situations.

I want to get my associate degree in Sociology, then transfer to University of Michigan and complete my Bachelor in Sociology. I want to be supportive to anyone who is struggling in life and let them know that hope is at the end of the way.”

$2500

A picture of Rogelio Andres Villarreal (she/they), a Trans-feminine Latina wearing a mock-neck sleeveless white top with a billowing light pink shiny skirt. She is smiling wide with arms outstretched and is wearing dark rouge and white dangly earrings.

Rogelio Andres Villarreal
She/They
Kendall College of Art & Design, Fashion Studies

“I am a proud trans latina and I have finally found my passion in life. Choosing Kendall and the fashion program has been the best decision of my life so far, and I am flourishing academically. As a trans woman who struggled to find clothes that fit and made me feel good, I want to design fashion with trans bodies in mind specifically. It is my hope that my contribution to the fashion industry allows transpersons to feel confident and comfortable. Thank you to Grand Rapids Trans Foundation for the support in making my dreams come true!”

$2500

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Cris
Any Pronouns
GRCC, Information Technology and Business Administration

“As a LGBTQ+ hispanic immigrant american I experience barriers in education such as not qualifying for many scholarships, federal financial aid, and loans. This causes a lot of stress, anxiety, and depression for me as a self-funding and independent student. This scholarship will be impactful in my life as it will help reduce the financial stressor of tuition while also positively impacting my ability to ensure my medical needs are met. My future and career goals are to influence emerging technologies within business to be equal, equitable, inclusive in their algorithms and overall approach.”

$1500

A picture of Rickey Ainsworth (they/them), a white Non-binary person wearing a dark magenta cardigan over a black top. They have dark hair with magenta accents pulled into a high bun and they are smiling with one hand resting on the side of their face.

Rickey Ainsworth
They/Them
GVSU, Master of Social Work 
(focus on clinical trauma work)

“I am a queer, trans nonbinary, neurodivergent Master of Social Work student at Grand Valley State University, with the goal of serving fellow trauma survivors and LGBTQIA+ populations. After years of working as a museum-based educator, then as an educational credentialing administrator, I decided to reboot my career and transition into social work, where I can have a greater impact on social justice issues and queer lives here in West Michigan. In my practicum as an MSW Trauma Therapy Intern, I currently work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

While conducting research and writing papers, I often choose to examine transgender issues through the lens of social work. Considering some of the challenges currently faced by trans folks, including the escalating efforts of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislators across the United States to restrict human rights and access to health care, it feels important to produce literature highlighting the needs of trans populations, while exposing the raw cruelty of anti-trans policies along the way.

$1500

A picture of Lex Larkspur (she/her), an Asian Trans woman with dark brown long curly hair wearing dark rectangular glasses and a grey t-shirt with a black leather jacket. She is smiling pleasantly against a brick wall with a rainbow flag hanging.

Lex Larkspur
She/Her
GVSU, English and Secondary Education

“I am so humbled and grateful to be selected as a scholarship recipient this year. This scholarship will greatly help me make it through college here at Grand Valley and pursue my future career as a high-school English and Spanish teacher. I strongly believe reading lets us see the world through others’ eyes, revealing relatable emotions we could never put into words ourselves. Writing allows us to tell the world our story as we learn new things about ourselves. Both have the power to uplift queer stories and lives, a powerful spotlight for kids in a stage where identities are challenged, forged, and found. I believe it’s pivotal that the queer students in my future classroom can see me as both a place of refuge and a beacon of hope, because they need to know that people like us can make it.”

$1500

A picture of Hayden Ryan (he/they), a white Trans-masculine person with a light blonde mullet hairstyle, brown eyes, and multiple facial piercings. Hayden is smiling wide against a background of dark pink flowers and is wearing a blue tank top with a palm tree print.

Hayden Ryan
He/They
GVSU, Women and Gender Studies

“My goal is to be the first in my family to obtain a degree. I would like to work with other queer people, advocate for social change and addiction recovery, and also write a book and a play eventually. As a homeless, first generation and low income student, this scholarship will help me to achieve these very important goals with less financial burdens and stress, and will help me to secure housing on campus during the school year. I’m also working towards getting a car so that I can get a job and stable healthcare. These obstacles are difficult but I do the best with what I have. This scholarship helps immensely!”

$1000

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Anonymous Recipient
She/Her
GRCC, Pre-Social Work

“My goal in life is to pursue a career in Social Work and/or advocacy, helping any youth who is struggling in any way. I remember when I was a teen, there was a social worker who gave me affordable services when I had no insurance and I needed someone to talk to. This social worker made a huge impact on me. I plan on getting my BSW (Bachelor of Social Work), working in the field, and continuing my education to get my MSW, LCSW, and DSW, with my highest goal of starting a nonprofit that offers free Social work services and advocacy services to LGBT youth in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan area. This scholarship has helped me to afford College in pursuit of these goals.

$1000

A picture of Kasey Powlenko (he/him), a white Trans man wearing tortoise shell glasses, a cream colored hat reading "Outside Coffee Co." and a grey pocket tee-shirt. He is smiling pleasantly with one arm featuring a tattoo of a tree resting behind his head.

Kasey Powlenko
He/Him
Institute of Sanative Arts 

“Massage school with goals of opening a queer/trans affirming spa!”

$1000

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Anonymous Recipient

$1000

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Anonymous Recipient
She/Her
GVSU, Social Work 

“My dream has been to become a licensed clinical social worker since childhood, and I plan to help the LGBTQ-plus community. When I first started college at age 19, I discovered I was LGBT+ and decided to drop out because I was so nervous about what everybody would think. During the following years, I lost a lot of myself trying to understand myself, I became isolated, and I was so scared of the outside world of judgment. But I wanted to make my mother proud, so I recently decided to roll back into college. This was challenging for me and scary. This scholarship is so important to me because of what it took to get here, and it will help me cover my tuition fees and even some housing. “

2022

$2500

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Tom Kola
He/Him
Davenport University, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

$2500

S'Niyah Photo

S’Niyah Tate
She/Her
GVSU, Psychology

“My goals are to get my degree in psychology and become a therapist as well as a civil rights political advocate. I want to work with others within and outside of the LGBT community to further our rights and representation here and around the world. Growing up in Detroit, there weren’t many resources for queer people of color in the Detroit area, as most resources were located far into the suburbs.

I’ve also noticed the high rates of homophobia and transphobia within the Black community that is very often overlooked as most queer resources and representation are centered around white queer people, which motivates me to be the change I want to see by educating people on LGBT issues and debunking harmful narratives and stereotypes about the LGBT community as well as help other trans people of who are finding themselves as I can relate to a lot of the experiences they’ve went through as a Black trans woman.

This scholarship will help me reach my goals by providing much needed funding for my college education and will lower the financial burden of paying back loans. With this scholarship, I won’t need to spend as much money on college and can invest the money I saved on furthering my career goals and/or my transition goals.”

$2500

Max Vandyken Photo

Max VanDyken
He/Him
GRCC, Nursing

“I’m honored to receive this scholarship this year, this has lifted my spirits along with lifting the weight off my shoulders for tuition. Throughout high school I struggled a lot being transgender in a small town. I’ve wanted to give up more times than I can count because they made me feel like a freak. Despite wanting to give up and not thinking I would have made it this far I kept fighting because I’m transgender and proud and I’m not gonna let anyone bully me back into the closest. It’s gonna be hard but keep fighting and have patience because it’ll be worth it in the end. ”

$1500

Sam Fisher Photo

Sam Fisher
They/Them, He/Him
GVSU, Dance & Sociology, LGBTQ Studies

“I am honored to have been selected as a scholarship recipient. This scholarship will allow me to continue my education and pursue my passion for the arts. After completing my undergraduate degree, I Intend to pursue a graduate degree in dance movement therapy. As a queer and neurodivergent artist, I hope that in my endeavors I can assemble a queer empowered, inclusive and comprehensive mental health practice. I aim to promote diversity in dance through trauma-informed practices that acknowledge systematic oppression and disability inclusion.”

$1500

Sarah Tyria Photo

Sarah Tyria
They/Them, She/Her
GVSU, Social Work

$1500

Sparkle Headshot

Rhian Williams
They/Them, He/Him
GVSU, Nursing

“I am so honored to have been selected as a recipient for this cycle. I am excited to complete my education and use my knowledge, skills, and experiences to incorporate a framework of social justice into my work during my time at Grand Valley and after graduation. As a nursing student, I am connecting my experience as a trans person to clinical and classroom learning. I hope to continue to bring trans discussion and perspectives to the attention of my nursing program and to every nursing program in the state to ensure that we are creating safe conditions for the transgender patients we see. Nurses are the first point of contact in patient care, so they should have a working understanding of transgender healthcare issues and how to treat all of their patients with the dignity and respect they deserve. Thank you for supporting me in my mission to educate!”

$1500

Ken Photo

Ken Cargill
They/Them
Grand Circus, Javascript Full Stack

2021

$2500

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Tom Kola
He/Him
Davenport University, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

“I hope that trans people like me who have been marginalized by society and discriminated against by their families are able to share their stories, and advocate for their rights until the world realizes that we are here, we are not unusual, we are loved and we are not going anywhere. Attaining this degree is the first step in accomplishing these goals.”

$2500

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Anonymous Recipient

$1500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Skylar

Skyler Blankenship
They/Them
Central Michigan University, 
MA in Clinical Mental Health

“I am incredibly honored to have been picked to be a recipient of this scholarship this year. With this scholarship I can ease the burden of student loans for this year and finish out my degree in clinical mental health. I hope to bring accessible and affordable therapy to the LGBTQIA community. My primary focus will be on providing these services to Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Folks in the Grand Rapids area. With this scholarship I am one step closer to my goal.”

$1500

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Anonymous Recipient

$1000

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Heather

Heather Funkhouser
They/Them
GVSU, Cybersecurity and Computer Science

$1000

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Oakley Zaiding
He/Him
Ferris State University, Photography

$1000

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Anonymous Recipient

2020

$2500

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Tom Kola
He/Him
Davenport University, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

“I hope that trans people like me who have been marginalized by society and discriminated against by their families are able to share their stories, and advocate for their rights until the world realizes that we are here, we are not unusual, we are loved and we are not going anywhere. Attaining this degree is the first step in accomplishing these goals.”

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Khairun

Malakhai Hasan
They/Them
GVSU, Biochemistry and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

“Growing up as a queer Muslim in the middle of West Michigan has always been a struggle to say the least. The environment around West Michigan has never been the best when existing as a trans and queer person of color, and there have been plenty of instances of bigotry, harassment, and threats of violence that I have experienced throughout my lifetime in Grand Rapids. I wish to go on after my bachelors and continue into grad school, with an eventual goal of working either as a biochemical researcher or in non-profit.”

$1500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Cynthia

Cynthia Kuk
They/Them
Michigan State University,
College of Human Medicine

“My life has been a dichotomy. On the one hand, I am going to be an M.D. My white coat comes with status, power, and respect. On the other hand, I am a queer, non-binary, Chinese immigrant, whose identity comes with a slew of disadvantages.

Medicine, for me, has always been about using my newfound power to empower others.

My vision for my future is threefold. First, I want to create a safe space for my patients by owing my truth and occupying space. Data shows that patient outcomes improved if they identify with their provider. I plan to overcome my fear and be as visible as possible for my patients’ benefit. Second, I want to educate, both in my workplace and in an educational setting. Third, I want to advocate. I am a part of the American Medical Association, and I plan to stay and work with my colleagues to bring about positive changes.

My career plan is to be certified in both emergency medicine and internal medicine. Most of our community still access health care through the emergency service. I want to be a friendly presence during this stressful time. Also, I would like to have a small primary care clinic that caters to the trans community. One idea that recently comes to me is to do a “provider meet and greet” at a local pride center. Many queer folks, myself included, experience anxiety in medical settings. Meeting your providers beforehand might help alleviate some of the stress going in. Hopefully, this would help lessen the health disparity faced by the trans community.”

$1500

image of a human-shaped silhouette in front of a trans flag

Anonymous Recipient

$1000

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Jordan

Jordan Bradley
They/Them
GVSU, Philosophy and Political Science

“I aim to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Grand Valley State University and continue studying philosophy in graduate school, with the eventual goal of becoming a professor. I am especially interested in ethics and political theory, and hope to write and speak about LGBTQ issues in the context of those fields. Any contributions I made as an academic would be informed by my experience as a non-binary person.”

$1000

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Demetrius

Demetrius Burke
They/Them
GVSU, Psychology and Social Work

“As the youngest of five children of an interstate couple who divorced shortly after my birth, I witness the struggle both my parents experienced as single parents with minimal secondary training and the debt they incurred over the years. With my three older sisters all graduating college before I left elementary school, I have seen the hardships they have experienced. This includes our parents inability to assist in affording their education, still being crushed by their student debt a decade later. Like most children, as I became older I made many efforts to avoid the mistakes my older family members made — all of whom stressed the value of education.

While I may not be considered a ‘non traditional’ student, my education path has taken many alternative routes. One path that has allowed me to pursue my higher education with minimal loans. The most recent alternative route includes this scholarship, and pursuing my bachelors in both psychology and social work. I plan to complete a Masters of Social Work after my graduation. With help of GRTF, I am able to receive the education I need in order to become an advocate for vulnerable populations including our young gender non conforming community in the mental health and substance abuse fields. There are not enough words for me to express my gratitude in this assistance, and hope my efforts in our communities’ future can repay the opportunity I have been given with this scholarship.”

2019

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Alizae

Alizae Holliman
They/Them
GRCC, Philosophy/Writing

“I aim to become a scholar in Buddhist Philosophy, and eventually a university professor of the subject. As an Afro-Latinx, I am already breaking the archetype of the Western Buddhist scholar, who is more often than not a white cis man. Even within Buddhist philosophy gender roles can be limiting for the spiritual expression of women and gender non-conforming people. Many Buddhist lineages today still prevent women and those of the LGBT community from becoming monastics.

A scholarship will immensely help my career path. I am currently working full time as well as attending to my studies. This scholarship will allow me to attend more classes, as I am currently paying my way through school. I view any financial assistance or scholarship not as a gift to myself or for my education, but rather as a gift to those I will be able to help in the future.”

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Liam

Liam Jones
He/Him, They/Them
Douglas J. Aveda Institute, Cosmetology and Esthiology

“Education is often a major gateway in life for community organization as well as financial stability. Having lost my familial support network, tenuous as it was, made this even harder. I love my community and I am adamant in my involvement and uplifting of it. Therefore it was necessary to find an educational pathway that would allow me to achieve that financial stability and provide a support to my community, while also being friendly to my learning disability.

My goal is to create a non-gendered beauty salon that caters to the needs of the queer and gender-nonconforming community. My first step in completing this goal is to finish my beauty school education and receive my beautician licensing. The scholarship will help me with this by affording my education.”

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Khairun

Malakhai Hasan
They/Them
GVSU, Biochemistry and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

“Growing up as a queer Muslim in the middle of West Michigan has always been a struggle to say the least. The environment around West Michigan has never been the best when existing as a trans and queer person of color, and there have been plenty of instances of bigotry, harassment, and threats of violence that I have experienced throughout my lifetime in Grand Rapids. I wish to go on after my bachelors and continue into grad school, with an eventual goal of working either as a biochemical researcher or in non-profit.”

My goal is to create a non-gendered beauty salon that caters to the needs of the queer and gender-nonconforming community. My first step in completing this goal is to finish my beauty school education and receive my beautician licensing. The scholarship will help me with this by affording my education.”

$1500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Birdie

Birdie Duka
She/Her
GVSU, Sociology

“Part of [fighting injustice] is arming myself with the tools to dismantle systems of oppression. In order to do that I need to go to school. It may be silly to some but, I am not going to school to land a snazzy degree so that I can have a killer job that I make a ton of money from. My primary goal for going to school is to educate myself, foremostly for the goal of becoming a more educated person.”

$1000

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Ariana

Ariana Moore
She/Her
GRCC, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

“I came from Costa Rica; I had to move because many people in Costa Rica were very close-minded about my transition. I am grateful to have it easier here transitioning here in the states. I do not want my transition to be a problem in my life because I am very proud trans woman, that wants to show that being transgender is not a bad thing, although it comes with difficulties. I am very inspired by many trans women, and I want to inspire many young trans people. I take care of my grandmother so I cannot work full-time on top of going to school full-time. This scholarship is going to help me succeed and I will be able to focus on my studies.”

$1000

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Kendra

Kendra Garcia
They/Them
GVSU, Spanish and History

“Since deciding to pursue graduate school, I have become more involved on campus and dedicated myself to promoting inclusion across the university. I founded and am president of Women in Humanities, a group dedicated to support and create an inclusive space for women to network and find a community. I also am a Cook Leadership Academy fellow as well as President of the history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta, and the History Club. These activities in combination with my work as an undergraduate research assistant two projects funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities will prepare me for graduate school.

Before I arrived at Grand Valley, I never saw myself reflected in history nor could I imagine myself as a leader. Participation in the McNair Scholars Program has helped me see myself as a professor. I want to mentor students, as I have been encouraged by my professor to pursue my dream of obtaining a Ph.D. As a professor, I will mentor students like myself who have experienced religious trauma because of their sexual identity.”

2018

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Eric

Eric Brink
He/Him
GVSU, Spanish, Chinese,
Criminal Justice

“This scholarship will alleviate the stress I am experiencing from funding my education, medical and legal transition, and my everyday life. Even between three jobs, it is hard to make progress when money is a barrier to living authentically. Despite this, I have enjoyed actively participating in many on-campus outreach, advocacy, and community education programs.

I hope to use my education and outreach experience to forward change in many legal processes, particularly for non-native English speakers, but not excluding people of color, queer people, and every other group that is often beaten by the system. I want to show the world that advocacy can occur at any level in many different ways, and that every step toward change is progress.”

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Beau

Beau VanSolkema
He/Him
GVSU, Social Work

“I’m a first-generation student who started college at age 28. I was a high school drop-out. I still struggle with poverty, no family support, and multiple disabilities, including Learning Disabilities. Despite all that, I have managed to further myself with hard work, integrity, and the help of institutions like GRCC and GVSU. I want to advocate for others, which is why being a Social Worker is important to me, along with being a visible trans man.

My goal is to be a therapist with an emphasis on helping LGBT people build better relationships, cope with trauma, and understand their gender/bodies. After completion of a master’s degree, my long-term goal is to start a non-profit for elderly LGBT.”

$1500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Olives

Olives Nguyen
They/Them

Michigan State University,
College of Human Medicine, MD

“I’m a non-traditional student on track to becoming an M.D. Being Queer and non-binary hasn’t been easy. It’s been exhausting, anxiety-producing, and isolating. At the same time, owning my truth has also given me the strength to pursue and push through medical school. Although medical school still has been a challenge (e.g. encountering problematic literature that pathologizes LGBT individuals, not having common language to acknowledge non-binary identities or practices that improve clinical trans health outcomes), being present in these spaces to educate the college administration and my peers is necessary. I continue to push because, for me, medical school is a responsibility. We cannot tolerate being unintentionally or intentionally pushed out of spaces we belong.

With a background in community-organizing, I know that structural changes need to happen for sustainable, positive outcomes. A few colleagues and I have restarted the LGBTQIA Med Group on campus, and am working with the college administration to enhance our education.”

$1500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Jason

Jason Skalandis
He/Him
GRCC, History

“When first attending college over 20 years ago, I was overwhelmed, intimidated, and unprepared. I dropped out before completing. Six years ago, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. That explained a lot and I felt that I didn’t have to try as hard to conform. I began volunteering and started to learn about the world around me. When I realized I was transgender, I found that piece of myself that had been missing, that was holding me back from succeeding.

Now a non-traditional student, I’m heading back to college part-time. I’m living on disability, and I still actively volunteer. Visibility is important to me, and ultimately I want to teach high school students history that they can connect to, highlighting queer people, people of color, and women.”

$1000

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Aaminah

Aaminah Shakur
They/Them
Kendall College of Art & Design,
 Art History

“I identify as Two-Spirit because it is the proper term within my Indigenous tribes to describe genderqueer identities.

I’m a non-traditional student (aged 44), mixed race, disabled, and self-supporting. I have benefited from the support of the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation to make it possible for me to remain in school. This is my final year, and I will graduate in May 2019 with a major in Art History and minor in Museum Studies. I am applying to grad schools with a focus on issues of ethics and accessibility for marginalized communities in art spaces. Blending art history and critique of culture, I hope to bring to light the work of more queer, disabled artists of color.”

2017

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Hal

Hal Swain
He/Him
Aquinas College,
Business Administration

“I stand confidently as a transgender man, feeling more like myself than I have ever felt in my 21 years of life. However, being in college has created some new anxieties, fears, and predicaments. Although there are some amazing people at Aquinas who support me, institutional support like housing, professors, and paperwork have been a challenge. The other challenge being that I love playing lacrosse but can not be on the team while starting my transition.

I have a dream to design and sell my own clothing line targeted for the queer community, a career that will not only support my family but also my community.”

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Beau

Beau VanSolkema
He/Him
GVSU, Social Work

“I’m a first-generation student who started college at age 28. I struggle with depression, learning disabilities, and health issues, but I don’t let these things hold me back. Education has empowered me and offered me the tools necessary to become a recognized leader both on- and off-campus. 

I plan to initially work for the Kent County prison system, but my ultimate goal is to be a transgender LGBT therapist with a focus on elderly transgender folks and sexual assault victims.”

$1500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Finn

Finn Marcks
They/Them, He/Him
GVSU, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

“My identity has led me to meet some of the most amazing and spectacular human beings on earth, and I have flourished within the trans community both at GVSU and in GR. I’m a leader and activist on campus. I’m neurodivergent, and with no financial assistance or support from my family, I struggle a lot in school because of my identity, anxiety, depression, and stress… and I want nothing more than to help students in similar situations.

My goal is to become a director in a university’s LGBT resource center, so I can help struggling LGBT students be as successful as possible.”

$500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Aaminah

Aaminah Shakur
They/Them
Kendall College of Art & Design,
 Art History

“I identify as Two-Spirit because it is the proper term within my Indigenous tribes to describe genderqueer identities.

I’m a non-traditional student– age 43– mixed race, disabled, self-supporting, and returning to school for the first time due to poverty. Blending art history and critique of culture, I hope to bring to light the work of more queer, disabled artists of color.”

2016

$2500

Photo of Scholarship Recipient Aaminah

Aaminah Shakur
They/Them
Kendall College of Art & Design,
 Art History

“I identify as Two-Spirit because it is the proper term within my Indigenous tribes to describe genderqueer identities.

I’m a non-traditional student– age 41– mixed race, disabled, self-supporting, and returning to school for the first time due to poverty. Blending art history and critique of culture, I hope to bring to light the work of more queer, disabled artists of color.”