Current Students
“Learning is more than just the mind taking in a process; it’s an action word. The Welch Colleague program helps me learn better leadership styles, skills, and qualities. Knowing that I will be in leadership positions all through life, it excites me to know that each day I am moving ahead in my ability to lead and that I will be fully prepared by the time I leave this campus. This program shows me ways to continue to develop. It teaches me to change as time changes so that I can remain an effective leader and role model.”
— Jessica Johnson, Class of 2012
“To me, being a Welch Colleague means that I have ambitions and knowledge of how to be a leader and not be afraid to take chances. Being in this class with other student leaders teaches me the different styles each individual possesses in order to be a leader. This helps me better myself when taking a leadership role by being able to see different points of views. Through this class, I feel as if I will become a strong and powerful leader in any instance that occurs.”
— German Hall, Class of 2012
“Being a Welch Colleague can open up doors for many of us. I feel that it has changed how I view things and how I react in certain situations today. This also will benefit my teaching career, because I will be able to help and lead my students to the success they deserve.”
— Felicia Gregg, Class of 2012
“The Welch Colleague Program has opened a world of opportunities for me and I feel truly grateful to be a part of such a prominent group of individuals. What I had learned from the Colleague Program has benefited me every step of the way in my college career, and will continue to for the rest of my life. I have become a better leader and a team member because of the Colleague Program. Without the opportunity of being a Welch Colleague, I would not have been able to attend the University of Charleston. Not only does the Colleague Program give me the advantage of becoming a better leader as a person, it also has given me the ability to come to a University where I know I am not just a number, I am a person; because of that I will always be happy that the Welch Colleague Program, has allowed me not only to be a better leader, but a better member of society.”
— Emily Anderkin, Class of 2013
“The Welch Colleague Program not only gave me the means I didn't have to continue my college education, but it has also pushed me to better myself. I've been able to meet people I would never have known otherwise, and I've learned how to, as a leader, accept and respect differences in opinion in a way that I'd never been provided previously. Without the program, college was not only a far-away dream but an impossible task. With it, however, I've found myself surrounded by people much like me who understand and can help me through the difficult times.”
— Erica Bracy, Class of 2013
“The Welch Colleague Program has meant everything to me throughout my collegiate academic journey. If it wasn't for the Welch Colleague Scholarship opportunity, I would not only be unable to attend college, but I also would not have received the chance to meet the people and friends that I have. It has given me a chance to further develop my leadership skills and to work with my colleagues and community.”
— Alexander Wells, Class of 2013
Former Students
“The University of Charleston Welch Colleague Program is rigorous and involved. Being part of such a program truly prepared me to be a productive citizen. Through the program I was able to intern at a local non -profit organization, sit on community boards and travel across the state to train leadership programs to communities in need. The prestige of being part of this program is well known in the Charleston community and automatically makes professional, philanthropic and personal relationships with others. I have found memories of lessons that I learned about self discovery, leadership and community involvement and use each of those lessons in my professional positions. I so proud to be not only a University of Charleston alum, but a Welch Colleague Program alum.”
— Sarah Beakes Class of 2004