Saint Louis University School of Social Work and College of Arts and Sciences Student
Until last year, Malaisyah Vann didn’t think much about scholarships.
Vann came to Saint Louis University from Tennessee after her high school guidance counselor recommended that she apply, and SLU offered the best scholarship package. Initially, she viewed tuition as primarily her parents’ responsibility. Then, in her senior year, circumstances for the family changed. Scholarship support was not enough.
“Before this year, I took the luxury of focusing only on school for granted,” she said. “But I'm glad that I was able to hold off and not get a job until this year because, actually, it's incredibly hard to have classes all day, and then go to work, and then have time for yourself, a social life and still do homework.”
A Full Undergraduate Experience
After graduating with a double major in psychology and criminal justice in Spring 2024, Vann will complete another year at SLU, adding a master’s in criminology and criminal justice. Not having to work until this point in her life allowed her to have a fuller undergraduate experience, including piano classes, participating in a sorority, and taking the time to determine what major was right for her.
“You have a lot of things that you can do, so I was able to do things that I was passionate about,” she said.
She is a Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. sorority member, a sorority that focuses on community service and the development of people of color and those in need. Events held throughout the year on campus — such as a basketball tournament where all the money went to schools and school supplies for children — bring the community together, she said.
She’s had the opportunity to advocate for diversity and student identity issues. SLU excels at letting students use their voices for change, she said.
“With the programs or different organizations, I feel like SLU is just a place that allows you to be more than yourself or do more than for yourself,” she said.
Financial Support's Impact
Financial support from donors allowed her to explore and find the right fit. Although she came in as a psychology major, she said exploring classes like Issues in Corrections and Issues in Jurisprudence allowed her to contemplate laws and how they affect people. As for what happens next, law school may be on the table or another path where she can make an impact and help unite communities, she said.
Without scholarships, however, she may never have been able to explore those options. Vann said she probably would have either considered transferring or had to take a job earlier than she did if she had not received scholarship support.
“I think, in a general sense, everyone could use some sort of help or relief because things happen, like COVID-19, for example,” she said. “So I think it's good to have a blanket or security, just in case you don't stand in the same financial space that you're in [now].”
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