Meet Walden’s Newest Bachelor’s Degree Empower Scholarship Fund Recipients

This winter, Walden University announced new scholarship recipients who demonstrated strong academic success and great financial challenges on their journey toward graduation. Funding is provided by the Empower Scholarship Fund, which receives support from employees across the Adtalem Global Education family of institutions, including Walden.

Here are a few of the recipients’ stories.

Darcellia Hill

Receiving this award brings Darcellia Hill one step closer to her dream of providing a safe, structured, and secure environment for not only her family but underserved and at-risk youth. As a student in the Bachelor of Social Work program, she is already thinking of ways to utilize her education to positively impact her community.

“All this schooling is to get me closer to my vision of creating a safe haven for underserved and at-risk youth. I will use my Walden education by cultivating a piece of land to provide a warm bed for youth to sleep in, chores and responsibilities to practice, and animals to care for that will give love back to the youth and more,” Hill says of her plans to establish a youth development farm. “There will be onsite change agents in art therapy, animal therapy, talk therapy, and movement therapy.”

She is no stranger to creating systems that make sense and is commended for constantly seeking growth opportunities to fulfill what’s needed of her. Hill is praised for her compassion and genuine listening abilities to those in need.

“This scholarship means a breath of relaxation, some of the worry that I carry daily will be eased,” says Hill. “With the knowledge that some expenses are covered, I can spend more time studying and being present for my 4-year-old.”

Rosario Garcia

Rosario Garcia is passionate about helping others in vulnerable situations. She has served in shelters, halfway houses, and rehabilitation centers. Where she works today, the president and CEO describes her as courageous, innovative, and tenacious—an “A” player she can trust without hesitation to do what is right for families in crisis.

To continue advancing in her education and improving how she serves others, Garcia is working toward a BS in Human Services and thinking ahead about a Master of Social Work.

A second-generation Mexican American, she is the first in her family to go to college. A single mother, she is motivated by her children. Her mother was her biggest cheerleader, and Garcia was her caregiver until she passed from COVID. Her mother’s death put additional financial hardship on Garcia.

“Her dream was to see me graduate,” says Garcia. “Thank you for your generosity with this scholarship. It will allow me to continue my education without having to pause for a term.”