BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Lake Michigan College students Carolina Brito of Dowagiac and Elena Fantroy of Berrien Springs were both awarded $500 Michigan College Access Programs and Personnel (MICAPP) Academic Achievement scholarships at the MICAPP Student Leadership Summit Banquet in Traverse City. Brito was also awarded the $1,000 Silas Purnell Scholarship, marking the first time an LMC student has received the award.

“The MICAPP Scholarship recognizes the ability of students to overcome the unique challenges faced by first generation college students,” said Nancy Johnson, Student Support Services project director at LMC. “It acknowledges the perseverance, excellent academic work, and community involvement of these young women; and brings each of them one step closer to their shared goal of working to positively assist children and families.”

Brito will receive her associate of arts degree with high honors in May and will attend Grand Valley State University in the fall to pursue a bachelor of social work degree. Her application score also qualified her to receive the $1,000 Silas Purnell Scholarship from by the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel.

“I knew my college goals were not going to be easy, due to the challenges in my life. The Student Support Services program and staff were instrumental in helping me overcome those challenges so I could achieve my dreams,” Brito said.

Fantroy will graduate from LMC in August with an associate of general studies degree with honors. While attending LMC she has been named to the dean’s list and was recognized as the 2015 LMC Student Support Services Student of the Year. In the fall she will attend Andrews University where she will pursue an elementary education degree.

At LMC Brito and Fantroy are involved with the TRiO Student Support Services program and are members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) national honor society for community college students. Brito serves as the public relations and outreach officer for PTK and is co-president of the LMC Student Senate. Outside of college she volunteers with her youth group at Immaculate Conception Church. Fantroy serves as the youth and women’s ministry leader at her church and tutors at-risk elementary students.

Michigan College Access Programs and Personnel (MICAPP) is the Michigan chapter of Mid-America Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP), an association representing Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Its purpose is to bring together those who are interested in broadening access to and success in postsecondary education. Annual scholarships are awarded to successful applicants from MICAPP’s endowment fund.

The Silas Purnell Scholarship is awarded to recipients of a MAEOPP chapter on a rotating basis. For 2015, Michigan was the selected chapter awardee. Three scholarships were awarded across the state to current college students in the Academic Achievement category. Brito’s application score qualified her to receive the Silas Purnell Scholarship, whose namesake advocated for thirty-four years for equal access for low income, first generation students.

Student Support Services is funded by TRiO, a federal program to provide services to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those with low income, first generation college students, and students with disabilities.

Participants receive intensive academic advising, financial aid application assistance, help with study skills development, and assistance in transferring to four-year colleges and universities. TRiO Computer Lab, a laptop lending program, and a textbook lending library assist with participants’ technology and academic support needs. The opportunity to mentor other students and engage in volunteer service in local communities broadens the collegiate experience of each student.

For further information about the Student Support Services program at LMC contact (269) 927-8603.