Meet this Year's Cassin-Graft Scholars!

Dr. Carolyn Theard-Griggs, Dean of the National College of Education, is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Patricia Cassin-Graft Student Teacher Assistance Fund Awards. For the current 2022-23 academic year, eight students have been honored with this prestigious scholarship: Tia Baldwin, Kalisa Gross, Diana Guarneros, Jasmine Lawson, Joana Montes De Oca, Tiffany Sanks, Sandra Stoltz, and Guadalupe Velazquez.

Patricia Cassin-Graft, NCE class of 1957, and her husband Michael Graft, first established this endowed scholarship in September 2003. Since that time, many of Pat’s classmates, along with Pat and Mike’s family and friends and numerous NLU alumni, faculty, and staff, have contributed to this special financial aid program, which supports students who are about to enter their final term at NCE and intend to work in high-needs schools upon graduation. 

To date, there have been 179 Cassin-Graft Scholars who, collectively, have made a difference in the lives of thousands of children.  Here are brief profiles on the newest Cassin-Graft Scholars:

• Tia Baldwin, from Chicago, will earn a Master’s degree in Middle Grades Education. Her student teaching experience is at South Loop Elementary School in Chicago.
• Kalisa Gross, from Chicago, will earn a Master’s degree in Special Education. Her student teaching experience is at Courtenay Language Arts Center in Chicago.
• Diana Guarneros, from Mount Prospect, will earn a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Her student teaching experience is at Robert Frost Elementary School in Mount Prospect.
• Jasmine Lawson, from Joliet, will earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Her student teaching experience was at Lawson Laraway School in Joliet.
• Joana Montes De Oca, from Chicago, will earn a Master’s degree in Special Education. Her student teaching experience was at Carl Von Linné Elementary School in Chicago.
• Tiffany Sanks, from Chicago, will earn a Master’s in Special Education. Her student teaching experience is at South Shore Academy in Chicago.
• Sandra Stoltz, from South Elgin, is also a 2023 Golden Apple Scholar and will earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Her student teaching experience is at Garfield Elementary School in Elgin.
• Guadalupe Velazquez, from Chicago, will earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Her student teaching experience is at Eberhart Elementary School in Chicago.