Green Halo Voices Blog
How our scholars are creating a future beyond limits.
Meet Jonathan Ford: Psychology, Passion, and Finding Your People
“I am a chill person who gets really excited on the things he likes… and at the end of the day I’m just your average weeb.” That mix of self-awareness, humor, and authenticity has shaped Jonathan Ford’s college experience in the best way. Now a senior at Northern...
Scholar Spotlight: Jason Trejo, Illinois State University
Meet Jason Trejo, a freshman accounting major at Illinois State University who’s diving into college life headfirst.
Finding His Path in Information Sciences
For University of Illinois junior Suchy Li, college has been a process of exploring interests, discovering hidden strengths, and learning how to pivot when something no longer feels right. As a first-generation college student from the Chicago area, he has been...
Finding Her Path from Lithuania to Miami
When Smilte moved from Lithuania to the U.S. at 16, she was stepping into a new world. Her family settled in the Chicago suburbs, where she began her education and started to imagine what her future might look like. Today, she’s a junior at the University of Miami...
Board Spotlight: Van Stapleton and Kyle Bakshi
Last month we introduced readers to a few of the Green Halo Scholars board members who help guide and grow our mission. This month, we’re excited to highlight two more: Van Stapleton and Kyle Bakshi. Like all of our board members, they bring unique perspectives, deep...
Then & Now: Meet Green Halo Board Members Mike Murphy and Mary O’Malley
What do a ski-loving finance pro and a baseball historian with a pittie named Ruby Bader Ginsburg have in common? They both believe deeply in the power of education, and they’re using their time and talents to help first-generation students thrive through Green Halo...
You Bring Yourself With You: Lessons from a First-Year Scholar
This is part two of Meida’s story, following up on our first post from October where we introduced her transition from Downers Grove to Boston University. When Meida began her college career, she was already admitted to Boston University, but she chose to get a head...
Scholar Spotlight: Annmaria — Combining Compassion with Creativity
Meet Annmaria, a sophomore at Elmhurst University in Illinois, where she’s pursuing a major in nursing and a minor in psychology. As a first-generation college student, Annmaria is driven by a strong desire to be a support system for her community, particularly in...
Mentor Spotlight: Supporting Dreams and Building Confidence – Jen’s Story
At Green Halo Scholars, mentorship is at the heart of everything we do, bridging the gap between dreams and reality for first-generation and low-income students. This month, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Jen, an incredible mentor who has been making a...