Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarships Awarded

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Posted on February 29, 2024

Lance Crawford

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Four University of South Alabama students have been named recipients of the Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship, awarded annually to rising seniors with a 3.0 or higher GPA who are nearing the completion of their degree program. It is designed to assist students who exhibit a strong commitment and passion for addressing the principals of perseverance and social justice and who have strengthened their campus and communities as leaders for equity, access participation and human rights.

This year’s recipients are Mariana Del Pozo Rodriguez, biomedical sciences major; Travis Kidd, biology major; Keonte Anderson, computer sciences major; and Devin Katerski, biology major.

Rodriguez and her family immigrated from Mexico in 2018. Initially, she found the language barrier difficult to overcome but said she compensated for her disadvantage with hard work that has paid off. Rodriguez recently was accepted into the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine and aspires to become a family medicine physician.

“The summer of my first year of college, I began volunteering at Victory Health Partners, a clinic that serves the needs of the under insured,” Rodriguez said. “I was appalled when I learned that millions of Americans are denied access to healthcare. My goal is to fight for healthcare equity.”

Kidd also plans to pursue a career in the medical field and eventually become an entrepreneur. He will graduate during the 2024 summer semester, and this scholarship helps lift the financial burden as he closes in on his degree.

“This does a great deal to help pay for my tuition,” he said. “It is truly a blessing that there are thoughtful people who made this possible, and I’m truly grateful.” 

Anderson said he’s always been fascinated by technology and how it can solve problems and improve lives. He is scheduled to graduate in December 2024 and hopes to work in software development and machine learning.

“When I heard about the Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship, it felt like a perfect fit for me because those values are at the core of who we are,” he said. “Winning it wasn’t just a moment of excitement, but a validation of our family's belief in using our voice and actions to make a difference.”

The Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance scholarship was founded in 2020 with $10,000 in seed money from the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile in partnership with USA. Support quickly grew with the help of major donors, USA Trustee Emeritus Margie Tuckson, the Alabama Power Foundation, Mobile County Commission, Hancock Whitney Bank, AT&T Alabama, and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Michael A. Mitchell. 

With matching funds from the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative, the scholarship is funded by an endowment of more than $500,000. 

"The 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile is proud to continue its partnership with USA to support students who are committed to servant leadership and who are passionate about social justice and equity," said Juan Peasant, president of 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. 

Donations to support this initiative can be made online, or contact the Office of Development at 251-460-7032.

To apply for this scholarship, log on to JagSPOT using your J-number and JagMail password.

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