Newcombe Scholarship Recipient

Shannon Marie Qualters graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Addiction and Mental Health Counseling on May 13, 2023, with the pursuit of a master’s degree in Leadership beginning in July 2023. Shannon seeks to empower women, who are coming out of the system, and who suffer from past trauma and/or addictions and mental health concerns. Growing up in Kensington, life wasn’t the easiest, struggling with addiction, working through recovery, securing employment, and raising four daughters. However, when someone gave her a chance, Shannon knew she wanted to help others in similar situations get a chance to take back control of their lives. Today, Shannon is not only a proud college graduate and mother, but she is employed at Northeast Treatment Center.

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation is an independent foundation that began in 1979 and has since awarded more than $70 million to provide scholarships and fellowships in higher education. Newcombe Scholarships for Mature Women Students supports the completion of bachelor’s degrees by women who are twenty-five years of age or older and need financial assistance at selected colleges and universities.

Through the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Fund, a special gift from the Patricia Newman Estate, alumni, and friends, Alvernia has provided 53 mature women since the 2016-2017 academic year with financial support to complete their degrees.