UW System ‘Changemakers’ Receive a Combined $30,000 From UW Credit Union

Madison, Wis. — August 29, 2024 — UW Credit Union awarded 10 scholarships worth $3,000 each this month through its annual Community Values Scholarship program. The scholarship fund recognizes “changemakers” — undergraduate students committed to making their communities stronger and healthier through volunteerism, campus engagement and community-centered employment.

“All of our 2024 winners stand out for their resolve to make a difference,” said UW Credit Union Director of Financial Inclusion & Community Engagement Steph Harrill Kyle. “Their investment in others, while balancing their own commitments and responsibilities, sets an amazing example. These students have used their unique skill sets and histories to leave a lasting mark.”

From removing language barriers to helping marginalized community members thrive, the 2024 Community Value Scholarship winners showcase resilience, empathy and selflessness.

• Alexander Valenzuela Casiquez, UW-Milwaukee — In addition to participating in multiple community cleanup opportunities, Casiquez is also a student mentor. Motivated by his own familial struggles, he helps peers navigate campus resources and find direction.
• Samantha Glad, UW-Green Bay — A proficient Spanish speaker, Glad connects the Latinx community to fundamental resources. From assisting with elementary eye exams to distributing food and toys via local nonprofits, she is curbing local accessibility gaps.
• Nainl Jariwala, UW-La Crosse — As International Student Organization president, Jariwala pioneered an “Everyday Survival Guide” to help students navigate cultural complexities. These efforts bolstered event attendance and secured UWL a spot on the prestigious COVE Council.
• Joseph Louis, UW-La Crosse — Louis lends his gift of music to the local church, playing the piano during weekly services. He’s also served meals and volunteered with the Catholic Charities Warming Center, assisting homeless people during the bitter cold months.
• Makenna Richardson, UW-Stevens Point — Richardson’s event planning benefits her employer’s community stewardship efforts and the Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers. The latter funnels millions of dollars back to the community while funding free water ski lessons.
• Avidan Trujillo, UW-Oshkosh — Through volunteer hours with the church and food pantries, Trujillo connected with senior community members and regularly assisted them with lawn work. His thyroid cancer diagnosis only further illustrated the power of sacrifice and support.
• Kartar Vig, UW-Madison — While volunteering at a homeless shelter, dental student Vig saw that dental complications prevented many guests from enjoying hot meals. He promptly joined a nearby dental clinic to accommodate patients from underserved populations.
• Molly Warner, Edgewood College — In her work at a long-term care facility, Warner turns seemingly mundane observations into meaningful connection points. That extra effort, including identifying menu preferences, makes patients feel valued and empowered.
• Megan Wiktorek, UW-Whitewater — Wiktorek leads incoming freshmen through a three-day introduction to campus life, including leadership workshops and peer connection opportunities. Her guidance fosters confidence and self-growth, easing a difficult transition.
• Grace Zongo, UW-Madison — In her role as UW’s club development coordinator, Zongo supported the growth of more than 60 clubs while elevating campus diversity and inclusion efforts. She accumulated multiple leadership awards and increased club funding access.

Scholarship winners will receive $3,000 to be directly deposited into their tuition accounts. Eligibility requirements include that individuals are new or returning full-time undergraduate students attending a UW System school, Madison College or Edgewood College. Students must also be UW Credit Union members. The 2025 Community Values Scholarship program will open in mid-February.

To learn more, visit www.uwcu.org/scholarships.

About UW Credit Union

UW Credit Union is a growing, federally insured financial institution and a leading provider of a full range of financial services to University of Wisconsin communities. UW Credit Union’s more than 900 employees serve the financial needs of nearly 333,000 members through world-class technology systems and through a convenient network of 33 branch locations and over 100 ATMs. With $5 billion in assets, UW Credit Union is ranked nationally among the leading credit unions. Founded more than 90 years ago by members of the University of Wisconsin faculty and staff, UW Credit Union continues to operate as a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with locations in the Madison, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Whitewater and La Crosse areas.