Gifts to Phelps Scholars - Meet Maya contribute to...
Like many college students, Maya ’26 came to school looking for community. She found a second home through Hope College’s Phelps Scholars Program.
The program, which is a unique combination of residential life, academic engagement and social activities, prepares students to be leaders in an increasingly global society. Students like Maya make a one-year commitment to live in community with others from a broad range of cultural backgrounds, and they explore together the issues of diversity that shape our world.
“I chose to be a Phelps Scholar my freshman year because I liked the idea of people from all different backgrounds gathering due to common interests in community, diversity and reconciliation,” she explained.
Maya recognizes that while the Phelps Scholars are a small group of students, the topics they discuss impact every aspect of their time at Hope. She’s noticed how passionate this makes her peers. “It’s so common to see someone start a conversation on a topic in the classroom and then finish it that night in the common area over a bowl of ramen,” she shared.
She’s been impressed with the culture of excellence the Phelps Scholars Program has created on campus, especially through the work of its faculty. “I met Dr. Matt Jantzen through the program my freshman year,” she said. “He is still easily one of my favorite professors at Hope. He takes the time to pause and hear students’ concerns, allowing space to develop ideas about how our nation, our local communities or even our campus can be more equitable and inclusive. He's forthright and honest with students, which makes them more likely to trust him.”
She recognizes that donors like you believe in the future generation of leaders. “We are so accustomed to being told that our nation and world is increasingly more divisive and unjust. The Phelps Scholars Program offers opportunities to join with like-minded people who have the boldness to embrace our society for what it is, but challenge it to do better,” she said.
Will you invest in the next generation of world leaders with your gift to the Phelps Scholars Program today?
