2013 Philip N. McCombs Scholarships
And the Winners Are…
From Golden Gate University:
Geracar Nervis, a graduate student who will use her funds to defray her costs while completing an unpaid internship at Cityline Event Center. Her ultimate career goal is to become a successful PR practitioner in the entertainment industry. She has had the privilege to freelance for two local recording artists.
“I loved every aspect of the job,” said Nervis. “When you’re in the public spotlight, as entertainers are, you have to be aware of your brand image. I always remind clients of the saying ‘too much is given, much is required.’
“Being alongside an artist, helping to mold and shape brand image is my dream. I enjoy being the well-informed voice between the artist and the fans. I find it very intriguing to create the perfect ombination of what the fans want to see and hear and what the artist has to offer. There is no double I will excel. This is my passion!”
Nervisgrew up in Oakland and graduated fron Oakland Technical High School with a 3.87 GPA. She noted that while most of her peers were caught in the traps set on the streets, she was determined not to allow her surroundings to dictate her future. Directly out of high school, she attended CSU East Bay and graduated in 2010 with a BA in interpersonal and organizational communications and a minor in women’s studies.
In the fall of 2010, she started at Golden Gate University and graduated in April 2013 with a MS in integrated marketing communications with a focus in public relations.
From University of Pacific:
Jennifer Chan, a graduate of UOP, has a well-developed plan to start a nonprofit and plans to use the funds for that purpose.
In Jennifer’s own words, “After working in both start-up and corporate environments I’ve realized the importance of implementing social responsibility. Whether it’s managerial ethics or sustainable processes, what matters most to me is giving back. The scholarship would go towards fostering an ethic of care for something that is forgotten… the community. Funds will be utilized to launch Givelanthropy, a revolutionary way of giving back to the community by connecting backpacks filled with art and school supplies to children and classrooms in need. With every backpack sold, Givelanthropy will donate an equivalent one filled with supplies. Givelanthropy embodies altruism while fulfilling a deep need by giving children the possibility to innovate and create with the art and school supplies filled in each backpack.
“The scholarship will make it possible to purchase Givelanthropy’s first set of backpacks and school supplies and go towards fees associated with launching a PR campaign and trade marking costs. I always knew that whatever I did in life, I wanted to help people. The scholarship would help me fulfill just that by launching Givelanthropy, which aims to inspire others to manifest social responsibility and ultimately, give back to their communities.”