Student Stories: Dorothy Tovar

"I was empowered to turn my focus to my studies, rather than worrying about how I would make my next bursar bill."

“The support provided to me by the UNCF was paramount to me successfully completing my undergraduate studies. This scholarship not only alleviated a heavy financial burden for myself and my family, but also relieved the emotional stress that comes with this burden. With this funding I was empowered to turn my focus to my studies, rather than worrying about how I would make my next bursar bill.”

Dorothy Tovar attended the University of Massachusetts
Dorothy Tovar attended the University of Massachusetts

“Having attended a predominantly white institution, I struggled to find support and resources for minorities pursuing science careers. The UNCF/Merck Science Initiatives Fellowship was one of my first experiences in a program dedicated to increasing minority representation in the sciences and was a great opportunity to network with other African Americans excelling in their careers.

“After graduating from my undergraduate university this past May, I have started a doctoral program in microbiology and immunology at Stanford University. I hope to be able to use my success thus far to inspire other minorities to pursue dreams of their own.”


See how Dorothy is moving forward with her dream.