Igniting a Global Spark in Students

Published on October 23, 2019

“I want to take away any number of fears that may prevent a student — who grew up like me — from studying abroad,” explained Michael-Bryant Hicks ’96.

Through the Marleigh Desmond Hicks Study Abroad Scholarship Fund, Hicks both honors his son and supports first-generation students of color as they participate in a University study abroad program.

Besides fostering a global mindset, Hicks hopes that the scholarship is “helping to ignite a spark in students — a spark that helps get them on their way to pursuing experiences that may change the course of their lives,” he said.

“My son is growing up much differently than I did,” Hicks said. “He’s had summers abroad in China and Ecuador, and I see how valuable it is for him. I want all students who come from backgrounds like mine to have exposure to opportunities like these.”

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