Now in its fourth year, the Kummer Vanguard Scholars program boasts 1,300 students at Missouri S&T. The program, established by a generous gift in 2020 from Fred and June Kummer, goes beyond a traditional scholarship program.
Students selected as scholars are immersed in programming that teaches elements that were instrumental to the Kummers’ success story: entrepreneurship, social responsibility, design and build, research, and leadership.
We asked five first-generation college students about how their experience through the Kummer Vanguard Scholars program and Missouri S&T are helping them fulfill their dreams. Here’s what they said:
Shawn Robinson: Creating a better life
“Missouri S&T was far enough away that I could develop a sense of independence, but close enough that I didn’t feel isolated from my family,” says Shawn Robinson, a junior in information science and technology from St. Louis. “This is also a school that I heard a lot about from robotics and was on my radar since my freshman year of high school.”
Robinson is president of the S&T chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and works as a residence hall assistant.
“I love the community and fellowship that the Kummer Vanguard Scholars program builds,” he says. “It gets people out of their rooms and doing things with people they’ll see again, which is nice. There’s always an education or fellowship aspect to the events, which I’ve always liked.”
Although he hasn’t decided which career path he wants to follow, Robinson enjoys working with databases and being a go-to problem solver for others.
“I’m in college to create something, a better life for myself and the people around me. That’s something that is important to me,” he says. “With proper motivation, nothing is really impossible. I think knowing that is something that S&T students have in common.”
Emily Heflin: Sharing her voice
“Last year, I was able to serve on the program’s Student Steering Committee, and I worked with a group of students on the curriculum that we are currently using,” says Emily Heflin. “It was a group that made me feel like my voice mattered and the students’ opinions and ideas were important.”
Heflin is a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Olathe, Kansas. In addition to being a Kummer Vanguard Scholar, she keeps busy with Miner Key Acapella, Miner Theatre Guild, the Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity and several other S&T organizations. She says she anticipates her involvement with the scholars program and in these groups will be beneficial as she progresses in her career and life.
“The experiences, knowledge, friends and connections I have gained will stay with me past college and into wherever my degree takes me,” she says.
Meimona Ibrahim: More than a scholarship program
Meimona Ibrahim is a sophomore in engineering management from Rolla, Missouri. She leads the pre-college initiative for S&T’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and is the public relations chair for the university’s Black Gems organization. Earlier this year, she completed a cooperative education program focused on purchasing with Hunter Engineering Co. in Bridgeton, Missouri.
“The Kummer Vanguard Scholars program is not just a scholarship program to help with the cost of attending S&T,” she says. “It is an opportunity for students to engage with other students and faculty on campus through a variety of events that range from educational to social to career information sessions.”
After she graduates from S&T, Ibrahim says she aspires to find a full-time position related to project management and continue her involvement with NSBE as a professional member.
Leilani Dill: Future scientist
“Being involved in Kummer Vanguard Scholars has been particularly rewarding,” says Leilani Dill, a sophomore in biological sciences from St. Joseph, Missouri. “The program offers numerous opportunities to hear from distinguished speakers and even have dinner with them, which has provided valuable insights and inspiration.”
Dill says the program is the perfect complement to her research activities on campus, as well as her future aspirations. Her dream is to work as a scientist or agronomist in a company focused on advancing agricultural technology and improving crop resilience and yields.
“My interest in biological sciences started from a fascination with the complexity and interconnectedness of life,” says Dill. “I’ve always been intrigued by how living organisms function and evolve. This curiosity was fueled by my high school biology classes and my experiences with hands-on labs.”
Alexandar Djidjev: Solving for tomorrow
“My best experience at S&T has been meeting with other passionate students and working collectively to solve challenging problems,” says Alexandar Djidjev. “Last year I was part of the Multirotor Robot Design Team, and I worked in the software division simulating drone flight. Also, I teamed up with friends to participate in the Miner Creativity Challenge to build a fun and interactive kid’s toy.”
Djidjev, a junior in mathematics and computer science from Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, first gained an interest in his majors during high school. He says the combination of using programming and mathematical modeling is a critical component of solving the most challenging and crucial problems of today and the future.
“I believe that mathematics is fundamental to almost all scientific disciplines and therefore I see it as a beautifully complex field that strives to model the phenomena of this world,” says Djidjev. “Combining it with the incredible abilities of computers and programming makes mathematics and computer science an important part of innovating for the future.”
Becoming a Kummer Vanguard Scholar
The Kummer Vanguard Scholars program provides scholarships to up to 250 undergraduate science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) scholars each year. Students from around the world are selected based on both academic and non-academic criteria. Each Kummer Vanguard Scholar will receive $2,000 a year for up to four years, and the scholarships may be combined with other university scholarships to provide a broader array of financial support for students.
For details and to apply, please visit the Kummer Vanguard Scholars Program Scholarship webpage.
