The spirit of giving is alive and well in ’Canes Communities. Over the past year, these regional networks of alumni, parents, and friends of the U have held various events—everything from professional networking events to family outings—and diligently raised funds for ’Canes Communities scholarships.
Every dollar raised is awarded back to University of Miami students from the communities, making the result especially gratifying for local alumni. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic achievement and financial need. During the past academic year, 38 students representing 10 ’Canes Communities from coast to coast received scholarships, a two-thirds increase over the prior year.
Carlos E. Lowell, B.S.M.E. ’94, immediate past president of the Miami ’Canes Community, hailed the spirit of generosity that shines in our alumni. “The support we’ve received from the Miami Canes Community for one of our primary missions, to provide scholarship support to local Canes, has been humbling,” he said. “The outpouring of generosity shows what a wonderful community we have right in the University’s backyard.”
Meet four students with bright futures thanks to the support of ’Canes Communities scholarships:
Valentina Cevallos, Class of 2026
Valentina Cevallos, a neuroscience major, commutes four hours each day to attend the University of Miami. For her, it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to attend her dream school.
Cevallos is proud to be a ’Canes Community Scholarship recipient and expresses profound gratitude to her community for “making my world so much brighter” through financial aid. She wants to make her community aware “of the everlasting impact that they’ve had on my education” and the power of scholarships to relieve mental stress and financial burden.
She says, “knowing that there are those who want me to succeed drives me to wake up each morning and cherish what I have.”
Rashaan “Truth” Davis, Class of 2026
For Rashaan “Truth” Davis, the best part about being a ’Cane is the sense of community, the school spirit, and that ’Canes care for ’Canes.
He says having the support of the ’Canes Community Scholarship behind him feels like there’s a team of people who “want nothing more than to help me attain a higher education.” For Davis, scholarship support “means that I don’t have to do this alone.”
His scholarship showed him that if you work hard enough, “the community will help lift you.”
Davis is currently majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in motion pictures. He says being at the University has taught him to “learn passionately.”
Selena MacDonald, Class of 2026
The University of Miami was Selena MacDonald’s first choice due to its stellar academics, diverse community, active campus life, and expansive network. She says the ’Canes Community Scholarship made attending the University a reality.
Her scholarship support has “allowed me to take a breath and not worry or panic over my financial struggles.” The support has not only helped reduce her financial burdens, but it has also supported her mental health and overall well-being.
She says that scholarships are essential “because they allow hardworking students from low-income homes to have the opportunity to thrive in such an expensive world.”
MacDonald is majoring in neuroscience and wants to become an anesthesiologist.
Gianna Satchell, Class of 2026
Gianna Satchell feels lucky to attend the University of Miami. For Satchell, “getting an education here means the world to me.” She is proud to be a Miami Hurricane and chose the University for its welcoming community, campus, and various events, clubs, and activities.
The ’Canes Community Scholarship helps Satchell offset the cost of tuition, books, food, and transportation. She calls her scholarship a blessing, giving her the peace of mind that she can afford a prestigious education without taking on as much student debt.
She studies broadcast journalism with minors in law and politics and business law. She hopes to become a corporate lawyer working in media.
