2 minute read
Jacob Desjardins
Class of 2023 Regis Diverse Educators Scholarship
Education major Jacob Desjardins ’23 remembers the moment he knew he wanted to become a teacher. He was volunteering with his church at a summer camp when he met Anabelle, a camper who had a rare heart disease that required her to get a pulmonary catheter.
“I was always inspired by her positive attitude and determination,” says Desjardins. “Everything was a little harder for her but she didn’t allow that to get in the way of enjoying her camp experience.”
Desjardins remembers when Anabelle made her first shot in cornhole after practicing diligently with her all week. “Her pure joy gave me an overwhelming feeling that I made a difference in this child's life,” says Desjardins. “Inspiring kids like her has shown me that I am meant to be a teacher. If she can push through all of these medical conditions with a smile on her face, she deserves a teacher who will put love and care into their work.”
Thanks to the Regis Diverse Educators Scholarship—a full-tuition, four-year scholarship for students committed to serving underrepresented populations in education— Desjardins has the chance to fulfill his dream. “Without this scholarship, I would not be here,” he says. “My family and I are forever grateful for this funding.”
Desjardins is passionate about finding ways to support each of his students so they can succeed academically. “You may never know what someone is going through in their home life,” says Desjardins. “As an educator, I want my students to feel safe and happy at school no matter what they may be dealing with outside of school.”
Desjardins is also grateful for the Regis community and his professors for providing an inclusive environment where each student is more than just a number. “Regis has helped me grow into a strong individual who is not afraid to ask for help,” says Desjardins. “Everyone at Regis wants to be a source of success for you, and I want to be that person for my students in the future.”
Enriching. Welcoming. Home. These are the words scholarship recipient Santiago Pedraza Novak '23 uses to describe Regis. As an international student from Bogotá, Colombia, a sense of community and belonging have always been important to him.
"In my culture, it is very common to get together and celebrate the little things in life," Novak says. "That happiness, folklore, and joy is something I was fortunate enough to have found at Regis."
He reminds himself that every day is a chance for him to help people and get involved in the community. "I want to make an impact—at Regis and beyond,” he says.
In addition to his leadership roles—captain of the men's soccer team, senior resident assistant, tour guide, orientation leader coordinator, and SAAC president—Novak is making an impact in the classroom.
“My scholarship motivates me to make the most of this opportunity and achieve my academic goals to make my donor proud,” says Novak.
As a biology major on a pre-medical track with a minor in lab operations management, Novak was one of six students chosen to participate in an innovative research study on the detection of ovarian cancer with Associate Professor of STEM Shannon Hogan, PhD.
“Being able to say I have firsthand experience in a lab doing such important research is huge,” says Novak. “This type of work is so rare for undergraduate students, and I know it will give me an advantage when I start applying for graduate school and jobs.”
Novak looks forward to crossing the stage at Commencement 2023 and hopes to obtain a research position at a biotech company and eventually pursue his master's degree in biotechnology.
“I never thought I would be doing the work I am doing right now—and as a teaching assistant, I can share my research and findings with other students as well. There are so many opportunities here to help me grow personally and academically, and I am forever grateful that my scholarship opened the doors to Regis.”
