In an ongoing effort to give back and encourage other alumni to stay connected, the Alumni Association Board at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) has launched a new alumni-backed scholarship to benefit current students–without the stress of asking for alumni to donate directly.
Starting in 2020, the Alumni Association Board backed the purchase of alumni-exclusive university apparel–first with sweatshirts and again with joggers in 2021. When alumni apparel is purchased, all funds are allocated to a scholarship fund through the RMUoHP Foundation. From these purchases, the Alumni Association Board is proud to announce the Alumni Student Support Scholarship starting in the May 2022 semester.
Following a formal application process facilitated by the Financial Aid Office, the Alumni Association Board has selected two current students for a $500 scholarship. The scholarship application takes into account a demonstrated need for the scholarship, record of service activities, commitment to give back to the university, and desire to enhance their learning experience and the learning experience of others. Applicants are also asked to describe how they will impact their community and how they will represent RMUoHP as alumni following graduation.
The 2022 Alumni Student Support Scholarship recipients are McKenzie Karl and Julianna Mulvey.
McKenzie Karl graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with an associate’s degree in physical therapy assisting and a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology. After working for a few years as a physical therapy assistant (PTA) and loving the opportunity to work closely with patients, McKenzie decided she wanted to better learn how to help them reach their physical therapy goals and enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at RMUoHP in August 2021.
Just in her second semester of the program, McKenzie said, “I love how much hands-on learning I am receiving, and that it is all applicable to my future career.” Following graduation, she aspires to work in pediatrics, become a pediatric specialist, and open her own clinic. “I hope to be able to use this clinic as a way to care for children and their families as they learn to cope with their physical and emotional hardships, and develop new skills,” she said.
Julianna Mulvey earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arizona, and after volunteering at various physical therapy clinics, saw how physical therapists are able to positively impact other people’s lives by improving function through exercise. Knowing that she wanted to continue making meaningful relationships with people while also helping them become more functional and happier overall, she enrolled in the DPT program at RMUoHP in August 2020.
“My education in the classroom has been better than I could have ever expected. The faculty is so helpful and wants you to succeed,” said Julianna. “I am excited to begin my clinical education, where I can finally implement all that I have learned to many different populations. I feel ready to be making a difference in the clinic and learn more hands-on.” She added, “Following graduation, I would like to start my career in a neurological clinic, where I can help patients with diseases or disorders that have negatively affected their life. I am just excited to begin making a difference in other peoples’ lives.”
Congratulations to the 2022 Alumni Student Support Scholarship award winners!
Alumni sweatshirts and joggers can be purchased through the university store online. For more information on the RMUoHP Alumni Association Board, visit the Alumni Association website.
