Issabella, a Nursing major from Gulfport, received the Earl King Memorial Scholarship and the Rodney Lee Mansfield Scholarship. She said the financial support has been nothing short of life changing.
“These scholarships gave me the space to thrive and grow without worry or financial stress,” she said. “Paying for college myself was very stressful, but these scholarships have allowed me to breathe and take in every moment of my education with immense gratitude and hope for the future.”
With dreams of becoming a nurse practitioner, Issabella hopes to work in pediatrics but says she will be grateful to serve wherever she’s called. On campus, she is already building both her skills and her community. She serves as the secretary of the Perkinston Campus Reflections Team and is active in the Baptist Student Union, two roles that have enriched her freshman experience.
“My best advice for anyone coming to MGCCC is to make community and don’t be afraid to meet new people,” she said. “As a first-semester freshman, my experience has been nothing but amazing, and I fully believe that’s because I took the time to get out of my dorm and go to activities—not just to my classes.”
Issabella is also passionate about encouraging other students to seek financial support through the MGCCC Foundation.
“I strongly encourage all students to apply for scholarships,” she said. “They are such a blessing and can lift the stress and burden of finances. They can also help you stay out of debt, which is a major issue in many people’s lives today.”
She said the support she received has changed not just her circumstances, but her outlook.
“The MGCCC Foundation scholarships have made such an impact on my life. Not only through relief of financial burdens, but they have also inspired me to give to future students as I have been given to. I truly believe that if I didn’t have this financial help, I would not be thriving as much as I am now. It is the biggest blessing, and it’s one I don’t take lightly.”
Issabella’s story reflects the mission of the MGCCC Foundation, which works tirelessly to ensure that students across the Gulf Coast have access to life-changing opportunities.
Through donor generosity and a commitment to student success, the Foundation helps hundreds of students each year overcome financial barriers and pursue their dreams. And for students like Issabella, that support makes all the difference.
