Ariel B. Crenshaw, a student of University of Illinois at Chicago's Grad Entry Nursing Program, will partner with UI Health CHAMPIONS and UI Health Urban Health Program’s Urban Health Club (UHC) to promote college readiness and health advocacy through a virtual 6-week summer internship and a virtual after school program. Jointly, both UI Health programs will focus on exposure to health career pathways, workforce development, college readiness, and a dive into public health, health disparities, and the importance of serving as youth advocates. In order to help prepare our CHAMPIONS/UHC participants for a successful transition to higher education, Ariel hopes to provide one participant a one-time scholarship. With this scholarship, Ariel hopes to address one of the many barriers of achieving a post-secondary degree. This one-time scholarship will be given to one participant who has formally committed to attend the University of Illinois Chicago as an incoming freshman student in Academic Year 2022-23. Eligible applicants will be high school graduating seniors who have been part of the 2021 summer CHAMPIONS program and who are active participants of the 2021-22 Urban Health Club. The participant selection process will consist of an internal application; a candidate selection committee will be established and composed of CHAMPIONS and Urban Health Club program coordinators. Ariel hopes to raise $5,000 for a potential scholarship recipient to help with any needs such as tuition, books, and supplies.

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship is a year-long service learning program for graduate students in health-related professions who will design and implement innovative direct service projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of underserved Chicago area communities. Through their community projects and participation in a year-long program that includes mentoring support, monthly meetings, written reflection, and interprofessional collaboration, Schweitzer Fellows are developing the skills and confidence needed to become Leaders in Service—professionals who will remain dedicated to public service and to creating change.

Each of the Fellows has created a "wish list" of supplies and resources that will help them realize their service project goals. Please consider supporting a specific Fellow's project or click here to donate to the general Schweitzer project fund. 

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship is a program of Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Your Fellows Fest donation will appear on your credit card statement at "Health & Medicine."