During these challenging times, we have come to realize just who our many heroes really are. They don't wear capes, but instead quietly and efficiently take care of others in their community. The challenge of educating through the time of COVID has shown us many such heroes and educators have rightly joined the list of those vital to our community. We are proud to honor those students who are striving to become educators and human development professionals. In addition to their studies, internships, part time work and their family responsibilities, they have given their all to learn the skills and content needed to be ready to join our educators in the field. I am honored to be part of a group of alumni, educators and USM Advisory Council members who have worked hard to raise the funds to enable us to award these scholarships to these hard working, deserving students. While our educators in schools are reinventing how to teach in the ever-changing time of COVID, we know there is a critical need for additional highly skilled educators to meet the needs of our community in the future. As you can see, these students will soon be ready to join them in the field, where their dedication and skills are so needed. We are proud of them and wish them much success.

Ken Kunin, ‘07, Chair of the SEHD External Advisory Council