2025 Scholarship Cycle
Shattering Glass Ceilings Scholarship is pleased to announce the winners of our 2025 scholarships. We awarded scholarships to 9 women who are all first-generation college students and are between the ages of 18 and 28 years old. Each recipient received up to $1000 in scholarship aid, which was sent directly to the institution of higher learning to offset loans or direct tuition payments made by the student.
Sabrina Garcia was selected to be the recipient of our annual Shattering Glass Ceilings Scholarship award made in honor of Dr. Tonya Gscheidle Henderson. Dr. Henderson graduated from Colgate University in 1998 and died after a long battle with cancer. Like Sabrina, Dr. Henderson was the first person in her family to graduate from college. She was a community builder and created lasting friendships in every corner of her campus life. She had grit and determination, and after graduating from Colgate, she went on to earn a PhD in Psychology. Shortly before her death, she won School Psychologist of the Year for the state of Oklahoma. We wish Sabrina and all our scholarship recipients the best as they work toward their goals.
Shattering Glass Ceilings Scholarship’s 2025 Recipients
Taiwo Adebowa
Age: 20
Where Taiwo grew up: Reisterstown, MD
Where Taiwo now lives: Washington, DC
Taiwo’s college and academic year: Howard University, Junior (class of 2027)
Area of Study: Advertising with an English Minor
Why Taiwo is pursuing a post-secondary education: “I want to become a copywriter, eventually working my way up to becoming a creative director. I want to break the monolithic frameworks that Black people are portrayed through in the media, displaying the multifacetedness of my community and improving the self-esteems of individuals who belong to my community.”
Sabrina Garcia
Sabrina is the recipient of the scholarship awarded in honor of Dr. Tonya Gscheidle Henderson
Age: 21
Where Sabrina grew up: Miami, FL
Where Sabrina now lives: Hamilton, NY
Sabrina’s college and academic year: Colgate University, Junior
Area of Study: Molecular Biology
Why Sabrina is pursuing a post-secondary education: “To hopefully go to medical school and pursue my career goal of becoming a physician.”
Abigail Hagopian
Age: 20
Where Abigail grew up: Dauphin, PA
Where Abigail now lives: Gettysburg, PA
Abigail’s college and academic year: Gettsyburg College, Freshman, Class of 2029
Area of Study: Environmental Studies; Education Minor
Why Abigail is pursuing a post-secondary education: “Having been supported and encouraged by teachers and mentors who believed in me and helped me grow, I hope to follow in their footsteps. I am pursuing post-secondary education in hopes of becoming a teacher who offers youth the same encouragement and belief in their potential that meant so much to me. Inspired by the wonder I experienced at summer camp as a child and the growth I found through Guide, an adventure and discipleship gap year program I recently graduated from, I am also pursuing environmental studies because I am passionate about environmental education and facilitating meaningful experiences for all ages in the outdoors.”
McKenna Kanaby
Age: 18
Where McKenna grew up: Galway, NY
Where McKenna now lives: Galway, NY
McKenna’s college and academic year: Colgate University
Area of Study: Environmental Geography and English
Why McKenna is pursuing a post-secondary education: “I grew up seeing my parents work hard to provide for their families, as well as my brother and I. They encouraged my work ethic and value of academics, encouraging me to continue my education. I enjoy going to school and learning, it gives me a space to push my limits and improve. Knowledge builds relationships and a solid understanding of the world. Aside from this, I want to be able to support my parents like they did their families. My undergraduate degree is opening career possibilities for me that my parents weren’t fortunate enough to have.”
Jenny Olivarez
Age: 25
Where Jenny grew up: West Michigan
Where Jenny now lives: Lansing, MI
Taiwo’s college and academic year: Michigan State University, Graduate School of Social Work – 2nd yr
Area of Study: Masters of Social Work (Organization and Community Leadership)
Why Jenny is pursuing a post-secondary education: “To continue working in my personal and professional interest areas a masters in social work fits best into my areas of interest.”
Geneve Pierre
Age: 23
Where Geneve grew up: Miami, FL
Where Geneve now lives: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Geneve’s college and academic year: Broward College, Junior
Area of Study: A.S. – Radiation Therapy
Why Geneve is pursuing a post-secondary education: “I am pursuing a post-secondary education to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in Radiation Therapy. I want to expand my opportunities, make a positive impact on cancer patients , and continue growing personally and professionally.”
Sylvia Ximena Porras
Age: 23
Where Sylvia grew up: Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico, and Hatch, New Mexico, USA
Where Sylvia now lives: Pittsburgh, PA
Sylvia’s college and academic year: Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Second Year
Area of Study: Public Policy and Management
Why Sylvia is pursuing a post-secondary education: “I am pursuing a post-secondary education to expand opportunities not only for myself but for my family and community. Growing up in an agricultural community where higher education was not the standard, I recognized it as the essential path to achieving my goals. I intend to leverage this education to drive economic development in rural and underserved areas, specifically by advocating for policies that foster sustainable growth and create jobs.”
Sarah Than
Age: 21
Where Sarah grew up: Syracuse, NY
Where Sarah now lives: Syracuse, NY
Sarah’s college and academic year: Colgate University, Senior
Area of Study: Computer Science
Why Sarah is pursuing a post-secondary education: “Being a first-generation student, pursuing a post-secondary education was something that I strove to do. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunities that my parents worked hard to provide for me. This scholarship recognizes the work I’ve put into building my own path through college, and it will help me continue pursuing my education and goals.”
Bella Tran
Age: 22
Where Bella grew up: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Where Bella now lives: Alexandria, VA
Bella’s college and academic year: George Mason University, Senior
Area of Study: Information Technology – Cybersecurity Concentration
Why Bella is pursuing a post-secondary education: “As a first-generation college student coming from a low-income family, I’m motivated to purse higher education to expand my knowledge, open new career opportunities, and I want to be able to support my community and family in the future. I believe education gives me the tools and confidence to achieve goals that will create a better future for me and help pave the way for those who come after me.”