Felicia Watson ’23 was awarded one of this year’s Project Finish Line Scholarships from the Institute for International Education’s (IIE).
Founded in 1919, IIE is global non-profit that designs and implements international education strategies and program services, preparing students and professionals for the global workforce. As an IIE member, Regis has participated in scholarship programs such as the Emergency Student Fund (ESF) which provides assistance to students and scholars facing emergencies around the world.
In December 2022, IIE partnered with Western Union’s Black Advisory Council and the Western Union Foundation to establish Project Finish Line to address barriers that may prevent Black, indigenous, and underserved students from completing their degree program. Project Finish Line targets students in their junior or senior year of college. Recipients are bright and determined students committed to finishing their degree program to make a positive impact in their community and the world.
The first Regis College recipient of the scholarship, Felicia is a biology major with a minor in laboratory operations management. She holds several leadership positions on campus including Class of 2023 treasurer and secretary of the African Student Association.
Nominated by Megan Gibbons, Regis’ director of the Center for Global Connections, “Felicia's academic success coupled with her campus presence as an engaged and thoughtful leader made her a strong candidate for the Project Finish Line award. I am so pleased that IIE and the Western Union Foundation agreed. We congratulate Felicia for this award and her courage and determination in striving to never stop working towards her dream of earning a STEM degree from Regis.”
Felicia's favorite saying is, "Never stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done." She sees finishing her biology degree not as an end goal, but rather a gateway to achieving additional career goals. "My plan after getting my biology degree is to get my master's degree in research because taking lab operation management courses at Regis has made me interested in working in a lab and I really enjoy doing it," said Watson.
Since Fall of 2020, Regis students have benefited from a total of $12,000 in IIE-sponsored scholarships. Learn more about IIE’s Emergency Student Fund here. See additional information about ways to support the entire Regis community through the Dear Neighbor Fund at Regis here. Please also consider the Regis Dare to Dream Scholarship that was established in 2021 to support international students who do not qualify for traditional financial aid.
