Christina Simone Coker (Class Of 2029) — Recognized Effort, Renewed Motivations (Winning A National/Domestic Award, 8 Points)

On October 29th, I was informed that I was selected for the Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward Scholarship through UNCF. It was both an exciting and validating experience. One major strength of this opportunity was how clearly it recognized the value of my academic commitment and community involvement. The award process also reinforced the importance of perseverance since I’ve been applying to multiple scholarships even when outcomes seem uncertain. 

This experience connects closely to other academic and leadership experiences that have shaped my journey, such as serving as captain of the cheer team and my work as a student athletic trainer. In both spaces, I learned the value of discipline, teamwork, and showing up even when things get hard; qualities that likely made me stand out to scholarship reviewers. I also noticed a pattern in how external recognition often follows consistent effort and authenticity; the habits I built daily ultimately led to larger opportunities like this one.

Being awarded this scholarship has had a profound impact on my educational and professional goals. It not only helps relieve financial stress but also motivates me to continue pursuing my dreams. The recognition reminds me that people and organizations believe in my potential and that my hard work truly matters. Moving forward, I plan to build on this experience by mentoring other students through the scholarship application process and continuing to apply for opportunities that align with my passions for medicine, advocacy, and education.

Authentically, 

Christina Simone Coker