Name: AJ Jacobs '24
Scholarships: Mary Bess Coleman Endowed Scholarship
W. Rudolph and Helen Jacobs Carter Annual Scholarship
Scholarship recipient and future teacher, AJ Jacobs, learned from the best – his mom – before he came to Winthrop to learn the craft from more of the very best educators. Of his mom, AJ says, “my personal hero is my mother. My mother is a special education teacher and she has been my inspiration. Since I could remember, she has been dedicated to support and encourage her students to achieve excellence, no matter what challenges or obstacles they face. She is passionate about education and remains positive through adversity.” He’s seen more of this inspiration from faculty at Winthrop as he trains to become an educator himself: “The best part of my Winthrop experience so far is having the opportunity to work and learn with the most phenomenal professors and classmates in the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences. The professors are supportive, encouraging, and always make time to listen.”
As he prepares for the next step in his journey – leaving behind his undergraduate days and entering the classroom as a teacher, he credits Winthrop donors for supporting his dreams: “Thank you so much for your support and belief in me! I hope that I have made you proud of my academics and the accomplishments that I have achieved. Without your support, I would not be able to have these opportunities where I can further improve myself and gain knowledge that will help me succeed in my career as an educator. Words cannot fully express the gratitude I have for help in my academic career.”