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Scholarship Program

Earl Woods Scholarship Program

  • About
  • Recipients
  • Featured Scholars
  • Alumni

Funding tuition is just one of the many hurdles facing first-generation college students. Many are leaving home for the first time, attempting to juggle work and college classes while scraping together enough money for books and other supplies. At the Tiger Woods Foundation, nearly 90% of our scholars are first-generation college students, navigating through college on their own. The Earl Woods Scholarship Program (EWSP) is an incredible support network that includes admissions counseling, dedicated mentors, specialized internships, financial assistance and workshops for each scholar accepted into the program. In the first two years of college, dropout rates are generally the highest, yet 100% of our scholars continue past their second year and to date, 100% reach graduation day. This special community of scholars, who maintain an average GPA of 3.07, work together to succeed in college life at prestigious universities such as Georgetown, USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA and Harvard. It's never too early to start thinking about college, which is why the EWSP also offers families and students in grades 7-12 college-preparation workshops through the Tiger Woods Learning Centers and other community partnerships.



Orange County
RecipientCollegeMajor
Erika Adre UC Berkeley Chemistry
Karla Aguilar UC Berkeley Electrical Engineering
Marlyn Aguilar UC Irvine Communications & Journalism
Milinda Ajawara* Hamilton Biochemistry
Sharon Almonte Lewis & Clark Undeclared
Melissa Arambulo UC Berkeley Environmental Architecture
Vernoica Arellano UC Santa Barbara Pre-Biology
Bhumi Bhakta UCLA Biochemistry
Alemar Brito* Stanford Sociology
Trent Casillas Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Civil Engineering
Trang Che UC Irvine Biology
Aisha Cissna* Humboldt State Environmental Policy
Taylor Compton Harvard Neurobiology
Stephanie Estrada Chapman Undeclared
Fadi Farsakh* UC Berkeley Undeclared
Karina Gomez* Haverford Biochemistry
Raymundo Gutierrez* NYU Music Education
Gustavo Lopez Reed Biology
Grisell Medina Chapman Psychology
Ladyssara Medina Chapman Biochemistry
Eduardo Munoz Allegheny Biology
Marcos Munoz UCLA Microbiology
Iliana Navarro* Haverford Political Science/Spanish
Kevin Ngo UC San Diego Computer Science
Minh Nguyen* UCLA Biology
Tim Nguyen* UCLA Biology
Kevin Nguyen USC Computer Engineering
Ngoc Nguyen UC San Diego Aerospace Engineering
Nhung Nguyen UCLA Biochemistry/Pre-med
Katrina Obieta Bryn Mawr Biology
Johanna Otico Whitman Psychology
Judy Park Harvard Social Studies
Hector Pantoja Whittier Business Administration & Economics
Eduardo Rivas Lewis & Clark Psychology & Hispanic Studies
Jessica Rodriguez Chapman Psychology
Karen Romero* Occidental Political Science
Felipe Sepulveda* Harvard History
Rogelio Tec* UC Santa Barbara Art History
Kristy Thompson Pepperdine Business Administration
Nhat Tong UCLA Business Economics
Wendy Torres UC Berkeley English
Tiffany Truong Franklin & Marshall Chemistry
Timothy Vu UCLA Biology

Students with an (*) are new scholars.

District of Columbia
RecipientCollegeMajor
Sitra Abdus-Salaam* VCU Psychology
Yury Amaya Georgetown Psychology & Government
Adrian Arias La Sierra Criminal Justice & Political Science
Jonathan Bowie Tufts Political Science & International Relations
Ayanna Brooks Marymount Communication Arts
Luz Flores Mount Holyoke International Relations
Mariah Green* Temple Biology
Mariah Harrod Penn State Pscyhology
Jorge Hernandez UDC Psychology
Damion Hunt Florida A&M Political Science
Xuan Trang Le* Wisconsin International Business
Jaron McKinnon* DePauw Psychology
Yaffet Menna Georgetown Neurobiology
Tamika Mitchell Arizona Pre-Physiology
Stephanie Navarrete Syracuse Health & Exercise Science
Darion Parker Georgetown History
Darryl Robinson Georgetown Biology
Gloria Salimonica Georgetown Human Science
Sarah-Julie Tchokouani* Ohio State Undeclared
Omokuyani Udiani* NC State Chemical Engineering
Montel Yancy Tufts Veterinary Medicine
Hebing Zhou Georgetown Chemistry

Students with an (*) are new scholars.


Earl Woods Scholars Class of 2016

Meet our newest class of Earl Woods Scholars!

Aisha Cissna

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Savanna High School
College: Humboldt State University
Major: Environmental Policy
Career Goal: Volunteer for Teach for America or Peace Corps
Fun Fact: Started a community club at her high school
 

Fadi Farsakh

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Western High School
College: University of California, Berkeley
Major: Undeclared
Career Goal: Dentist or Optometrist
Fun Fact: Participated in Seed of Peace International
 

Karina Gomez

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Anaheim High School
College: Haverford College
Major: Biochemistry
Career Goal: Travel to third-world nations to help people in need
Fun Fact: Her mom is the most influential person in her life
 

Tim Nguyen

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Savanna High School
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Biology
Career Goal: Cardiologist
Fun Fact: Plays the guitar, drums, piano, bass and ukulele
 

Karen Romero

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Magnolia High School
College: Occidental College
Major: Political Science
Fun Fact: Enjoys dancing traditional Mexican dance folklorico
 

Sarah-Julie Tchokouani

Hometown: New Carrollton, MD
High School: Fairmont Heights High School
College: Ohio State University
Major: Undeclared
Career Goal: Corporate Lawyer
Fun Fact: Loves helping the homeless by volunteering at the local food kitchen
 

Rogelio Tec

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Western High School
College: University of California, Santa Barbara
Major: Art History
Career Goal: Architect
Fun Fact: Loves art, dancing and drawing
 

Sitra Abdus-Salaam

Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Cesar Chavez -- Parkside Campus
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Major: Psychology
Career Goal: Psychiatrist
Fun Fact: Junior and senior class president of her school
 

Milinda Ajawara

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Katella High School
College: Hamilton College
Major: Biochemistry
Career Goal: Physician
Fun Fact: Family immigrated from Nigeria
 

Mariah Green

Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Cesar Chavez -- Capitol Hill Campus
College: Temple University
Major: Biology
Career Goal: Doctor
Fun Fact: Passionate about helping others
 

Raymundo Gutierrez

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Anaheim High School
College: New York University
Major: Music Education
Career Goal: Band Director
Fun Fact: Likes to listen to soundtrack music
 

Xuan Trang Le

Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Benjamin Banneker High School
College: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Major: International Business
Career Goal: Business Owner
Fun Fact: Wants to create educational facilities in impoverished areas
 

Jaron McKinnon

Hometown: Fort Meade, MD
High School: Meade Senior High School
College: DePauw University
Major: Psychology
Fun Fact: Mentor for the Boys and Girls Club's Summer Poetry Program
 

Iliana Navarro

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Katella High School
College: Haverford College
Major: Political Science/Spanish
Career Goal: Lawyer
Fun Fact: Likes to draw and read in her spare time
 

Minh Nguyen

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Savanna High School
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Biology
Fun Fact: Would like to go on a cross-country road trip
 

Felipe Sepulveda

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
High School: Magnolia High School
College: Harvard University
Major: History
Fun Fact: Enjoys reading, playing cards and spending time with family
 

Omokuyani Udiani

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
High School: Suitland High School
College: North Carolina State University
Major: Chemical Engineering
Career Goal: Chemical engineer
Fun Fact: Substitute taught for a high school photography class

Susana Lagarde

CSU Fullerton
Communications
Prestigious photography award-winner

My whole life I told myself I was going to go to college. But halfway through my senior year, when I started getting accepted into colleges, I didn't know if I could actually go anymore because I didn't know where the money was going to come from. And then one day, I got home and received a letter from the Tiger Woods Foundation telling me I received the Earl Woods Scholarship. That was the day I knew I was going to college. It was a big relief.

 

Jenny Nguyen

UCLA
BA in American literature and culture
Blogger for official PGA TOUR golf tournaments

What I have found most meaningful about the Earl Woods Scholarship program are all the great people I've met along the way. The program and the people never cease to amaze me. They understand what we scholars are trying to do, and their belief in us makes a whole world of difference. A little bit of confidence can go a long way, but what this program has given me is so much more!

 

Evan Chang

Occidental College
Biochemistry
No. 1 in the biology department and graduating with honors

My mentor has been an integral part of my development throughout my years in college. I'm thankful to have a professional look after me and make sure I've been on the right track. Through my mentor, I was introduced to a general surgeon at Hoag Hospital that I shadowed over winter break, which gave me the confirmation that I do in fact want to be a surgeon. I am so grateful for that experience.

 

Steven Pham

UCLA
Biochemistry
President of Medical, Educational Missions and Outreach (MEMO) at UCLA, UCI and UCSD

My mentor Andy and I clicked instantaneously! He has been my friend, my mentor and one of the greatest people I've ever known. His words about promoting education and helping those less fortunate inspired me to join a medical mission trip to Vietnam where I learned lessons of humility and how to be grateful for the small treasures of life. His passion for helping others and the knowledge of how to run an organization has taught me how to run MEMO as best I can.

 

Vina Vo

USC
Business Administration
Traveled to Ghana to set up village's first community development bank

Without the Earl Woods Scholarship, I would not have the same insight, experiences or perspectives that I do about college, education and my impact in society. I wouldn't have had the support and guidance I needed in the times I needed them the most and for that reason, I am really thankful to be a part of the foundation. The mentorship and relationships I've built have been extremely valuable to me.

 

Grace Lee

UC Berekeley
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Accepted a full-time job with NASA for post-graduation

The benefit of being a scholar was meeting so many fantastic people who are supportive of me through my four years of college and even after I graduate. The Earl Woods Scholarship helped me graduate, which was always a huge obstacle for me in terms of funding. The TWF staff helped me prepare for an interview with Pixar where I landed a memorable summer internship. Then when I got the job at NASA, they helped me with negotiation and discerning whether this job was right for me. I am very privileged to have had an army of people supporting me throughout college.

 

Vladimir Casseus

College of the Holy Cross
Psychology
Member of an all-male a cappella group called The Sound of St. James

The best thing about being an Earl Woods Scholar is the support that you get. You never feel like you are alone, and there are always people who are checking up on you. I have become more motivated, focused and happier knowing that I have so many people to fall back on when I'm stressed or times get tough. My future plans became more solidified and less blurry since joining the Earl Woods Scholarship program. It feels great to have a good plan set in place and direction of where I want to go.

 

Fatou Bekeyi

University of Idaho
Environmental Science
Interned at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C.

As an Earl Woods Scholar, my biggest accomplishment has been to intern at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. The Tiger Woods Foundation blessed me with this chance to work with EPA staff members and to understand what it feels like to work on real projects, like evaluating mercury spills. As an Earl Woods Scholar, opportunities keep arising, and I consider every one of them a gift. This program has helped me achieve my dreams.



Avni Patel

UCLA
BS in Biochemistry

My goal is to impact children at the professional level by implementing programs for youth development. Using these programs, I wish to help children reach their full potential to achieve their goals.
 

Bianca Angeles

UC Berkeley
BA in Psychology

I plan on obtaining a master's in student affairs in the future. This degree will help me advance my plans of working with students in a university setting where I can continue to pursue my passion for education.
 

Omar Villa

UCSC
BA in Latin American & Latino Studies

I will be applying to different master's programs and law schools this upcoming fall. I hope to attend a private institution where I will complete a joint degree program and get my master's in higher education and a degree in law.
 

Stephanie Chae

UC San Diego
BS in General Biology

My career goal is to become a doctor, and my passion is to serve under-represented populations through medical missions. I have a vision as a medical doctor to provide ways for these communities to have doctors of their own. I hope to mobilize clinics and provide training and sustainable health care. This fall, I will begin my medical studies abroad as first-year medical student in the China Dual Program.