JWA 2023 Women with Vision Scholarship Winners!
We are excited to announce the 2023 Jones Whitsett Architects Women with Vision scholarships at Bard Microcollege Holyoke.
JWA Women with Vision Winner, India Russell
India Russell is on track to graduate from Bard Microcollege Holyoke in May 2023 and plans to continue on to earn her bachelor’s degree. In addition to studying fulltime and caring for a toddler, India runs a small business selling “Everythang Sauce” and catering healthy meals. India is interested in expanding her skills in journalism, graphic design, business planning and leadership. She also has a love of photography, videography, podcasting, technology and coding.
Leori Blancher is a current Bard Microcollege Holyoke student with a 4.0 GPA. She is an advocate for Indigenous rights and is taking additional biology and sign language courses in her spare time. Leori is a single mother who has faced tremendous adversity over the last year. Instead of leaving school, Leori has thrown herself into her studies as a way of connecting with peers and remaining a part of the community.
JWA offers three annual scholarships to students interested in careers in design, planning, and sustainability through Bard Microcollege Holyoke and Greenfield Community College. Says JWA Principal Kristian Whitsett of the reason for the scholarships, "We are trying to support ongoing shifts in the design and planning community by creating opportunities for traditionally marginalized voices at the table of design and community leadership. We see these young women as future leaders whose life experiences will positively influence the Valley if given the respect they are due.”