Michael Rice describes it as “the most exhilarating moment of my life” … receiving the call he had been selected a Nina Scholar. “It was completely unbelievable.” He was a 26-year-old father of two young children, living with his grandmother and trying to be successful in college. He had a .9 GPA and no educational supports of encouragement. After an initial application rejection, he received a call three days later inviting him to interview for the prestigious scholarship. During their face-to-face discussions, the Nina Scholar selection panel recognized his potential and, in doing so, changed his life. As a Nina Scholar, he served as vice-president of the group’s Leadership Organization.

After an extraordinarily successful college career, he graduated from the Kelley School of Business, one of the top business schools in America, with a 3.47 GPA. Now he is the recruiter and scholarship coordinator at his alma mater and considering pursuing a Ph.D. In recent years, Michael was one of eight chosen to participate in a Community College Summit at the White House and in 2015 was invited to attend the President’s Initiative to Make Community Colleges Free. He currently mentors students at IUPUI and Ivy Tech – a fitting role for one who describes Nina Mason Pulliam as “the most impactful person in my life.”