More Than a Scholarship: When Students and Donors Connect
College Success Foundation’s Leadership 1000 Scholarship (L1000) is designed to support students holistically, not only through financial assistance but through additional resources and connections to L1000 donors and college coaches that encourage, guide and open doors for students.
For L1000 Scholar Aleena, that personal support has made a big difference. A computer science software engineering major at the University of Washington-Bothell, she describes the impact of the scholarship, saying, “This scholarship has truly lifted a huge burden off my shoulders. Coming from a low-income, first-generation immigrant family, it has allowed me to focus on my studies and growth in college instead of constantly worrying about finances.”
With the extra support from her L1000 donor, Karen Ng, Aleena has been able to focus on her future career and professional growth as well. She also added how meaningful her relationship with her L1000 donor has been. “Karen has been an incredible part of this journey,” Aleena reflects. “She has taken the time to genuinely listen to my story, share insights from her career in tech, and encourage me to stay connected. I’m grateful to have her in my network and to continue building that connection as I grow professionally.”
The L1000 Donor Perspective
For Karen, supporting a Leadership 1000 Scholar connects deeply to her own family’s experience. Explaining why she chose to fund a scholarship, she shares, “My parents were immigrants who fought hard to make sure their three girls would have the chance to go to college. My father has two doctorate degrees and deeply believes that education teaches you how to think, gives you confidence and shows you what you’re capable of. That belief shaped everything for me. I grew up in Silicon Valley, surrounded by how technology was changing people’s lives, and it just felt like a given that I’d be a part of it. It never occurred to me that I couldn’t.”
She added that she understands many students do not start with that same mindset or opportunity. “I know not every student has that foundation, and I wanted to help create it,” Karen explains. “The L1000 scholarship is a way to give a student the same thing my parents gave me, not just financial support, but the message that someone believes in them and in what education can unlock.”
Karen was also intentional about supporting a student pursuing STEM. “I wanted to support a student in STEM because too many students, especially young women, shy away from science and technology before they even get started,” she emphasizes. “We’re living through the biggest technology disruption of our generation with AI, and the opportunities for students in STEM are extraordinary. I studied machine learning at MIT and have spent my career building products that help people lead through change, not just react to it. I want that for Aleena and for students like her, the confidence to step into this moment and shape it.”
Her connection with Aleena has made that investment even more meaningful. Speaking about Aleena, Karen says, “Aleena is an amazing young woman with real grit and self-drive. What strikes me most is how clearly she already sees the career she wants to build. She has a sense of direction and ambition that I didn’t have at her age, and our conversations about her path have been genuinely inspiring to me. She reminds me why this work matters.”
If you are interested in becoming a Leadership 1000 donor, please email Anna Bennett for more information.