Click to view this email in a browser
Summer 2010
The Gates Millennium
Scholars Alumni Association
is a national network of Gates
Alumni connected through
community, leadership and
service.
Meet GMS Staff
Lu Duong is the Relationship
Manager for Alumni-
Leadership Development
Programs. He works directly
with the Alumni Association
Advisory Council and ensures
the Association continues
moving forward in connecting
Alumni through Regional
Chapter(s) expansion and
programmatic and support
services growth.
Danielle Blunt is the Scholar
Relations Coordinator for the
Leadership Development
Programs Division. She works
with the Alumni Advisory
Council as one of her
responsibilities and has a
major role in shaping the LDP
Conferences each Fall, the
Alternative Spring Way
Gates Millennium Scholars Alumni Association
Summer 2010 Bimonthly Newsletter
Breaking down barriers and opening new gateways of
opportunities are two of the many pillars of the Gates Millennium
Scholars Program (GMSP). I'm frequently touched by the Gates
Alumni I speak with that share an overarching theme: "I don't know
where I would be without the Program's support. How can I give back?"
After 9 years and over 8,000 alumni receiving a Bachelor's degree and
beyond, the Gates Millennium Scholars Alumni Association (GMSAA)
was launched in December 2009 as a platform to connect all of you,
regardless of location with each other and the program. Through the
website, social media, regional/national events, professional and
informal networking; the Alumni Relations program is taking steps to
ensure that there is something for everyone.
Like any collective body, the Association requires the passion and
assistance of its members. Help us craft a legacy far more lasting then
any one of us could make alone.
How can you give back? Read this newsletter to find out how.
I look forward to working with all of you,
Lu Duong
Relationship Manager
for Alumni; Leadership
Development Programs
_____________________________________________________
Message from the Association President
The connection you have with the Gates
Millennium Scholars Program is for a
lifetime. This is the first time in the history of
GMSP that a program specifically designed
for Alumni has been established. With the
creation of the Association and the
Executive Committee and Regional
Advisors, we are launching a new approach
to maintain and sustain long lasting relationships with current
Alternative Spring Way
collaboration with United Way, Alumni and those who will become Alumni. You are vital to the
and other key events. success of these efforts. You are the key to reaching out to
others who at one time may have been just like you!
Her outside passions include
social entrepreneurship, I look forward to representing your interests in moving this
mentoring, and event planning.
Association forward! -Dr. Allyson L. Watson, PhD.
Danielle is a graduate of Old
Dominion University and is
completing her Master's
degree in higher education Inaugural Alumni Association Advisory Council Recap
student services at George
Mason University. The weekend
of February 5th,
2010, marked a
milestone for
the Gates
Millennium
Scholars
Program.

After a rigorous
selection
process,
assisted in part
by our Partner
Organizations, the inaugural Association Advisory Council convened in
Washington, DC for a packed day and a half meeting. Members arrived
from all points of the U.S., including Hawaii. Professional industries
and careers represented included a tenured faculty professor and
published educators, public health specialists, lawyers, scientists,
business consultants, nonprofit advocates, computer scientists and
more. The Council serves to represent the alumni body.

In brief recap; Council members spent Saturday morning and

afternoon in governance training with Bruce Lesley, Senior Vice
President of Board Source and a noted expert on a non-profit
Association governance. Major topics reviewed included: Association
structure, roles, mission & vision, governance mechanisms, strategic
planning and fundraising.

Launched last December, the Association and the Association website

serves as a connecting point for Alumni across the nation. Although
GMSP guidelines state that Alumni are no longer eligible to receive
GMSP funding, the Association welcomes both active Scholars (those
still eligible to receive funding) and Alumni (those no longer eligible to
receive funding) if they have earned a degree.

The Association leadership consists of two entities: the Executive

Committee and Regional Advisors. The Executive Committee acts as
an advising body to GMSP Leadership, providing recommendations on
program innovation and growth while Regional Advisors serve as the
"eyes and ears" for the Committee by connecting local alumni through
Regional Chapters. Both groups work closely with the Alumni
Relationship Manager.

The Council set the framework of a charter and By-Laws which were
subsequently voted on and approved.

In further action, the council elected :

Dr. Allyson L. Watson (OK) as President

Tommy Preston (SC) as Vice President
Sharon Washington (NYC) as Secretary

If you are interested in serving in a leadership position, contact

{EMAIL_ADDRESS|danielle.blunt@gmsp.org} for more information.
_____________________________________________________

How You Can Get Involved

The Alumni Association
website is located
at www.gmsalumni.org.

The site is updated monthly

with new content highlighting
Alumni news, events, and
individual spotlights. Join the
Facebook Group with over
over 2,500 scholars and
alumni. The GMSAA
LinkedIn.com Group is also
updated with employment opportunities recommended to us by
Alumni.

Make sure you register . By doing so, we have your latest

contact information. Registered Alumni have first priority
invitations to major events.

Beginning in late August, the website will have a "Regional

Chapters" tab on the menu bar. Click on it to find your nearest
chapter and Regional Advisor.

In September, Chapters across the U.S. will be hosting social

gatherings each quarter as a connecting point for all local
Alums. There is no better way to meet your stellar peers then
over a casual dinner with great conversations and laughter.
Check your Regional Chapter page for further information.

In November, Chapters will launch a "GMSP Alumni Day of

Community Service" in their local area. A major focal point of
chapters includes investing energy into their local community.
Alumni will have the option of being involved in coordinated
community service efforts: "To whom much is given, much is
required"

Current Regional Chapters exist in: NYC, Washington, DC, North

Carolina, Florida, Chicago, Oklahoma, Texas, Portland, San Francisco,
San Diego, and Los Angeles.

If you are interested in an Association leadership role or have

information you would like to share with the Alumni community, please
contact {EMAIL_ADDRESS|danielle.blunt@gmsp.org} for more
information on how you can actively participate in the Association's
growth.
growth.
_____________________________________________________

Why I Became a GMS Mentor: Spotlight on David Cao

"I became a GMSP Mentor because I know

the importance of giving back. I am currently
mentoring Linda Huynh. She is a freshman
at USC and I am currently teaching her how
to mentor to high school students and Gates
Scholars, public speaking tips, and
navigating various social surroundings when
networking. I realize that a 10 year age difference is significant,
therefore I am passing my mentoring torch down to the younger GMSP
scholars like Linda. I help my GMSP Protégé build their careers and
learn how to be tomorrow's leader.

As for Linda, she just recently began mentoring a high school

sophomore. Linda has grown into a professional young adult since I
met her at the Leadership Development Conference and and
continues to grow and flourish. Her confidence level grows each year."

David Cao, Alumni

GMSP Class of 2000

----
Getting Alumni Involved in Mentoring

Being a GMS Mentor will give you the unique opportunity to share the
wisdom you have gained through your academic and professional
career with current Gates Scholars and the ability to network with
fellow Alumni.

As a Mentor, we will pair you with a current Scholar interested in your

field of employment or career path, or one that shares a similar
background. You can help by providing career and personal guidance
to ensure that they maximize every opportunity available to them.

Enrich yours, and someone else's life...BE A MENTOR!

Interested in becoming a GMS Mentor? Contact Tekora Scruggs at

703-205-2080 or {EMAIL_ADDRESS|mentoring@gmsp.org}
_____________________________________________________

Alum Juan Sanchez, Ph.D joins the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation
Juan Sanchez is a Research Analyst for the United
States Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation. Juan provides research and
analytical support to the President of US Program.
He investigates and tracks educational and
political trends, in addition to developing and
designing instruments for quantitative and
qualitative research.

Prior to joining the foundation, Juan worked for the University of

California in the Office of the President (UCOP), where he served as
 the Coordinator of Research and Evaluation for Education
Partnerships. In addition to coordinating research and evaluation
studies for UCOP, Juan served as project manager for the Transcript
Evaluation Service (TES). His research with TES and his ability to
connect research and practice played a key role in TES’ recognition as
a “Practice with Promise” by the California Campaign for College
Opportunity.

Juan received his MA and PhD in Education from UC Berkeley with an

emphasis on Quantitative Methods & Evaluation and a master’s in
Education from San Francisco State University (SFSU), with an
emphasis on Instructional Technology. Juan earned a single subject
teaching credential in chemistry at SFSU and received his Bachelor of
Arts in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley. Juan was a Gates Millennium
Scholar from 2000-2006. Lastly, Juan currently serves as a board
member for the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project in California.

I had an opportunity to speak to Juan and ask how the Gates

scholarship impacted his professional and personal growth:

USP
United States

1. Juan, can you please describe your GMSP experience? What

did the scholarship allow you to do and achieve?

The GMSP experience was life changing. It not only gave me the
opportunity to earn all my post baccalaureate degrees, but enabled me
to connect with students who shared similar backgrounds, goals, and
challenges. More importantly, GMSP allowed me to make friends who
inspired, motivated, and supported me through my educational
journey.

The scholarship allowed me to finish my teaching credential and MA in

education and move on to a doctoral program. Without the scholarship
entering a doctoral program would not have been possible. Unlike
other graduate students, I did not have the resources to finance my
own education. Through the scholarship my potential as a scholar was
not hindered and it allowed me to finish my doctoral degree.

2. In what capacity, do you serve as Research Analyst for the

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation?

As the Research Analyst for the Program (USP) at the

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, I provide research and analytical
support to the President of . I investigate and track educational
and political trends, in addition to developing and designing
instruments for quantitative and qualitative research. My work focuses
on identifying and informing the President on the latest innovations
and ideas that will enable us to help those most in need and in areas
where we believe we can have the greatest impact.
3. What is a goal you seek to achieve through connecting with
your peers through the new GMSP Alumni Association?

As an Alumnus who gained so much from GMSP, my goal is to give

back in a way that will enable me to inspire, encourage, and support
current GMSP students or Alumni as they start on their own
educational journeys or careers. Hopefully through networking, GMSP
students or alumni can contact me for questions, advice, or support as
they run up against their own hurdles on their own journeys.

Best of luck, Juan!

_______________________________________________

Pushing through difficult times; A Reflection by Alumna,

Shambrekia Wise

"One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in
debt to those who are kind."
~Malayan Proverb

"This is one of my all-time favorite quotes and one that I feel is best
fitting when I think of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. My
name is Shambrekia Nicole Wise and I am a proud Gates Millennium
Scholar and Alumna.

On May 7, 2004, I had decided to just stay home and attend a

community college. Tuition was just too expensive for my mom to do
on her own and I didn’t want her to struggle and sacrifice more than
what she already had. She didn’t know of my decision because I
didn’t have the heart to tell her yet, but I knew I would be making a
financially sound decision by attending my dream school at a later
date. A week later, that no longer was a thought. On May 14, 2004, I
didn’t know just how much my life had changed. This was the day I
received my letter notifying me that I was a Class of 2004 GMSP
Recipient. I screamed, I cried, I fell to my knees and said thank you
…then my neighbors came over to check on me to make sure that I
was ok. Words can’t express the emotions I felt that day. I was the first
person in my area to receive this scholarship, but I surely didn’t want to
be the last.

That fall, I attended the conference and I learned about the

Ambassador and Mentor Programs. So much had been given to me
already; it was now MY turn to give back. As an Ambassador, I
returned home to Texas and during my winter breaks and I educated
seniors and juniors alike on what an awesome opportunity this
program presented. That following year, I became a Mentor and to this
day I still keep in touch with my Mentees. Today, I have 6 Mentees who
I remain close to and I brought in 5 scholars total under the
Ambassador program. I am so proud that they are now a part of our
family and they have told me that they plan to reach out to students in
their community as well."
Continue reading here.
_____________________________________________________

GMSP Alum joins staff!

Lawrence Smith, an inaugural year Scholar

recently joined the GMSP staff as Outreach
Coordinator with the Marketing and
Communications team. His focus is the "Male
Initiative" which seeks to increase the pool of
qualified male applicants.

Lawrence began his collegiate career while in

high school as a senior at Southern Polytechnic
State University. He graduated with a Bachelors
of Business Administration in Marketing and a
Masters degree in Sport Administration from Georgia State University.
He also serves on the Alumni Association Advisory Council. The GMSP
headquarters wishes him all the best in this new venture and chapter
in his life!

If you're aware of qualified junior or senior high school male

applicants, please email
{EMAIL_ADDRESS|lawrence.smith@gmsp.org}
_____________________________________________________

New GMS Scholar nearly makes FOX tv's, "So

You Think You Can Dance?" show!
Our Scholars
and Alumni are
some of the
most talented
individuals in the
country. Each
newsletter will
share stories
from both groups
that have
experienced
exciting events
they would like
to share with the GMS community. The following excerpt was written by
2010 GMS Scholar Novien Yarber for this newsletter. Yarber attends
the University of Alabama and is double majoring in international
business and dance.

"I had always admired the show and the dancers showcased. I
watched religiously, awaiting the time I was able to audition and be a
part of an amazing opportunity and network for dancers.

On October 8, 2009 I finally turned 18 with the seventh season of, "So
You Think You Can dance" auditions just months away. I was
extremely excited, yet very nervous and not completely sure I was
ready to compete with all types of dancers from across the country for
one title: America’s Favorite Dancer.
Before I knew it February had rolled around and nerves kicked in
ten-fold. By this time music selection, dance moves needed for a
routine, clothes selection, etc., all managed to occupy my mind
throughout the school day. Soon enough March rolled around and my
Mom came across a pre-audition for the show in our own city of
Huntsville, Alabama. Long story short, I left the pre-audition ecstatic
with the title of Alabama’s, " So You Think You Can Dance" first place
winner! With this under my belt I slowly become more optimistic
about the regional audition in Nashville.

The regional audition in Nashville was such an experience. There

were hundreds of dancers all eager to show the judges their skills
and be selected for the coveted ticket to Vegas. During this time I
became very nervous. I never was the type to like pressure and
competition. Being a “newbie” to dance, with only having a year of
training prior to these auditions, I just sat back and observed all the
dancers doing what they love. The feeling of performing in front of
the judges I so much admired and watched seasons before me was
indescribable. I was nervous, excited, and star struck all at once. The
judges really took a liking to me and were blown away by the minimal
years of training I had compared to other contestants. Hours passed,
which felt like eternity, and now the judges gave their final verdict on
who earned a spot to the Vegas auditions. Before the judges I stood
scared like a deer in headlights, waiting, and anticipating.

VEGAS HERE I COME!!!! I was so overwhelmed by the experience

that I couldn’t hold back the tears. I was so glad that footage wasn’t
used for America to see. I was one of seven dancers from the entire
Nashville auditions who “got their ticket to Vegas” and one step
closer to reaching our dreams.

Vegas week is something I will never forget. I learned so much from

the choreographers, judges, and just being in the midst of 122 of
America’s best dancers. The talent there was incalculable and so
inspiring. There’s so much I could write about Vegas, but don’t have
the space. I feel so blessed and honored to have been able to
participate in one of my… no, my favorite television show. I took so
much from the experience such as life lesson learned, and lifelong
friends that shared this amazing experience with me. My family,
friends, and I were so proud how far I made it throughout this whole
process. I couldn’t ask for more from this experience. But expect to
see the name “Novien Yarer” in the future because I will most
definitely be returning to the show!!!"

If you're interested in sharing your exciting news, email

{EMAIL_ADDRESS|lu.duong@gmsp.org}.
_____________________________________________________

Toll Free: (877) 690-4677

Email:alumni@gmsp.org
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following
link: Unsubscribe

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
P.O. Box 10500
Fairfax, Virginia 22031

Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.