First class of Augusta Promise Scholarship Program recipients named

Augusta University has launched the Augusta Promise Scholarship Program, offering first-generation students the chance to graduate debt-free through financial aid and scholarships while also providing a strong support network through mentorship, leadership and academic support.

For its inaugural year, five first-year students received the scholarship: Jimmy Khaouli, Terell LaBord, Tina Do, Mikelle Smith and Margaret Wallace.

“Providing students with a financial scholarship to graduate debt-free creates access for first-generation college students,” said Susan Davies, PhD, executive vice president of Enrollment and Student Affairs. “The real advantage of Augusta Promise is the programming and support offered to our students, as well as the mutual promise for the students to engage regularly with their Promise Partners, faculty and upper-class mentors who will encourage their success. This program would not be possible without the help of our generous donors, and we are very thankful to those supporting these students in their journey to success.”

A woman stands behind two male students who are sitting at a table. — Susan Davies, PhD, executive vice president of Enrollment and Student Affairs (middle), with scholar Terell LaBord (right) and his mentor Atreyu Kemp (left) at the first-ever Fall 2024 program retreat.

The five scholars, each with unique aspirations, all say they are excited to be a part of the program’s launch. From an aspiring band director to an aerospace engineer, the students say they are eager to dive into all that Augusta University has to offer, aiming to graduate in four years with a degree in one hand and a career path in the other.

A male college student stands outside wearing t-shirt that says "Augusta Promise Scholars" across the chest. — Jimmy Khaouli

Jimmy Khaouli

Khaouli is from Covington, Georgia, and graduated from Grace Christian Academy. As a cyber operations major, Khaouli was first interested in Augusta University for its many majors, beautiful campuses, small class sizes and the city’s downtown area.

Through the program, he plans to maximize opportunities and potentially take part in a semester abroad. To successfully plan and achieve this goal, he plans to take advantage of the program’s advisers, tutors and mentors to track his major’s program requirements.

“My parents don’t have the experience to advise me on the steps to take to be successful in college,” Khaouli said. “The Augusta Promise Scholarship Program provides that needed support. It’s an exciting opportunity, and I’m very grateful for it.”

The program not only sets the students up for academic success but also assists them financially. Khaouli said that, without the help of the program, he would have had to take out student loans and graduate with student debt.

“I’m so excited and honored to have this opportunity to succeed in college,” said Khaouli. “The program provides such an advanced level of support that I feel much more confident that I will achieve my goals than I would have without it. Of course, I look forward to being able to mentor the next groups of Promise scholars and pay it forward. I want to leave the world a better place than I found it.”

Terell LaBord

LaBord is local to Augusta, Georgia, where he commutes to campus for classes. He graduated from Hephzibah High School and was drawn to AU’s cybersecurity major.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to meet new people and making new friends,” said LaBord. “I’m ready to explore all the things that AU has to offer. I’m very excited about embarking on a new stage of my life, and I’m ready to be adventurous and enjoy my time here.”

As a first-generation student, he believes the program will help motivate him to strive toward excellence through the help of his support team. LaBord mentioned that it is rare to come across a full-ride scholarship, and he feels particularly blessed to be a part of the first cohort of recipients.

“To know that there are people that want to help you succeed is very heartwarming,” he said. “I worked very hard in high school to maintain my grades. Having a job and not getting off until 11 p.m. but still going home to either study or complete my homework wasn’t easy at all.  Knowing this program didn’t let my academic achievements fade away and acknowledging my hard work and dedication means everything to me.”

When thinking about his upcoming four years at AU, LaBord recalls his high school’s teachings that he hopes to faithfully represent: “I will continue to be positive, respectful, innovative, determined and excellent in everything that I’ll do.”

A female college student stands outside wearing t-shirt that says "Augusta Promise Scholars" across the chest. — Tina Do

Tina Do

Do’s family immigrated from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to the Augusta area about five years ago, and she graduated from Greenbrier High School. As a first-generation student, she finds herself very lucky to be part of the Augusta Promise Scholarship Program.

She is pursuing a mathematics degree with plans to be an aerospace engineer upon college graduation. To make this goal happen, Do is considering transferring schools after her first two years to pursue that degree path. That said, she is very excited to jump into AU’s campus culture and college curriculum.

“I am very lucky to be one of the students to be picked for the Augusta Promise Scholarship Program,” said Do. “I feel like the program is going to help me gain a lot of knowledge and experience from others.”

As a non-native English speaker, Do said that everyone at AU has been extremely helpful, open and patient in guiding her through the many processes.

She looks forward to utilizing the program’s many support services to achieve her top three goals – retaining a high GPA, expanding her community and growing accustomed to the college environment.

“To be one of the first recipients is an honor,” said Do. “I appreciate the Augusta Promise Scholarship, and I will try to work hard for it.”

Mikelle Smith

Smith is from Savannah, Georgia, and graduated from Robert W. Grovers High School. For her, the Augusta Promise Scholarship Program is going to help to guide her career path while lessening her financial stress.

“I chose to apply to AU because they offered a program with resources that no other school in the state could provide for me,” said Smith. “I was drawn to AU’s dental program and their sense of determination to push their students to succeed.”

With a major in biology, she is excited to jump into the college curriculum, especially knowing that she has the scholarship program’s access to academic resources. She believes these resources will help her flourish and thrive during her college years and help connect her with other students who have similar career goals.

In her free time, Smith is excited to learn more about AU’s clubs and organizations and explore the campus scenery and outdoors.

“To be one of the first-ever recipients for this program means that I have to keep upholding the strong person that I am and strive to be with this opportunity,” said Smith.

Margaret Wallace

Wallace is from Madison, Georgia, where she graduated from Morgan County High School. Since she was young, she knew that she wanted to pursue teaching. Her path became clear when she joined the marching band and began playing the clarinet, ultimately realizing that her passion could be honed into a profession as a band director.

“I want to do it for the rest of my life,” said Wallace. “I want to be as happy and as content as my high school band director who has been doing it for over 40 years. That is my definition of success – being happy, being able to sustain money, being happy for myself and not having to depend on others.”

Wallace applied to Augusta University on the recommendation of her band director, who told her she would love AU’s band program. With a major in music education, she plans to utilize the Promise Program’s many academic resources to help curb her procrastination.

“I am honored, and I have high hopes for the program,” she said. “In eighth grade, I was awarded the REACH Scholarship, and I worked toward it through my senior year in high school. I don’t know why I was chosen for this program, but I’m the luckiest person, and I could not be any more grateful.”

Wallace plans to enjoy her college experience and explore AU’s community while building lifelong friendships.

“Personally, I most look forward to the connections,” she said. “I met my roommate during orientation, and we really connected. My best friend is actually transferring to AU from Georgia Southern, and I’ve also connected with people through the AU Instagram account for the Class of 2028.”

First-generation student support

The Augusta Promise Scholarship Program is a cornerstone of Augusta University’s broader vision – to be a top-tier university that is a destination of choice for education, according to Davies. By situating this program among the offices of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Institutional Access, Success and Belonging, and Multicultural Student Engagement, the program is dedicated to representing and supporting this student population.

Sierra Sasha Webber, the program coordinator and a first-generation college graduate, brings personal insight to the program. Webber’s own experiences fuel her passion for learning, making her a powerful advocate for the students.

“Other first-generation students may have had a similar experience as I did,” said Webber. “It wasn’t until my junior year of college that I found the resources that paved the way for me in the careers I have today. I am a mental health counselor and a coordinator. I love what I do, and I love supporting others and being a resource.”

She understands other first-generation students’ individual needs and the support needed to succeed. In her role, she acts as a mentor, an advocate, a liaison and a resource to the scholars, peer partners and faculty partners.

A woman leaning on a chair is talking with two male students. — Sierra Sasha Webber, Augusta Promise Scholarship Program coordinator, with students at the first-ever Fall 2024 program retreat.

Looking ahead, the Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs sees the program only growing stronger. Shareen Clement, EdD, director of Multicultural Student Engagement, expects the inaugural five scholars to leave a large impact on the program.

“For this first group of five, I am very excited to get their feedback and begin to fill in any gaps there may be,” said Clement. “This will allow us to fine-tune the program for future groups and make it even more impactful.”

She hopes to see the program grow and support more incoming first-generation students, especially as Augusta University’s enrollment continues to grow. As of the 2023-24 academic year, AU welcomed 256 incoming freshmen as first-generation students, while the 2024-25 academic year is set to welcome 270 first-generation students.

“I hope through this scholarship program, our students gain community and a solid support system,” said Clement. “A part of student success is that you have a core group of people who understand you, know you and allow you to go to them for the big and small things. Also, from a staff perspective, it is important for these students to know how invested we are in their success and that we’re here as a resource.”

Donations to support the Augusta Promise Scholarship Program can be made through AU Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement and the Augusta Promise Scholarship Program’s fund page.

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