Raven Sizemore ’24, the first recipient of the Sloan Scholarship endowed by Linda Fisher Sloan ’82 MFA and Thomas R. Sloan, graduated last spring.
Since its inaugural year, additional outstanding Spartans have become Sloan Scholars, too: Amelia Hanson, Jayson Flores-Rivera, Iyana Mercado, Juliet Asiegbunam, and Harmony Fairley. The scholarship covers tuition and other costs, including support for study-abroad experiences, service learning, or internships.
The Sloan Scholars come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse career goals, but they all share one thing, says Amelia. “UNCG students are really determined. We’re here all the time, working for our opportunities.”
What do they want to achieve? A chance to make their mark on their communities and their professions.
Juliet says, “The Sloan Scholarship is helping me become a nurse and will help me inspire others who want to be nurses.”
Harmony says her story was always going to be connected to UNCG, but there was something more about the University that attracted her.
“I’m a legacy here. My parents are the reason I am the scholar I am today, and they’re the reason I can light the way at UNCG,” she says. “I was accepted into 80 out of 81 universities I applied to, and I was offered a total of $1.5 million in scholarships, but when I toured UNCG, it felt like home. That’s why I chose it as my first option.”
Now Raven is the first Sloan Scholar alumna, and she’s not slowing down. She’s one of only three UNC System Presidential Scholars for the 2024-25 academic year. As a fellow, she’ll gain experience in public policy, research, and strategic initiatives that affect higher education across the state.
What matters most? The support she received was more than financial.
Raven says, “After I lost my sister in a car accident, I had a passion for creating safer roadways.” She shared this with the Sloans, and they helped Raven open doors so she could advocate for her passion on the state level.
She’ll never forget it. “I’ve been able to learn so much about myself through these opportunities, and that wouldn’t be the case if it wasn’t for the Sloans.”
This year another scholar, Ava Bertelli, joins this accomplished group of University students.