Michelle Bagwell, STEM Scholar

The STEM scholarships are given to sophomore students with financial need who excel in a STEM major (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) at Northwestern University and whose grades show a commitment to academic excellence. The intent of these scholarships are to free students from work commitments so that they may more vigorously pursue their chosen area of study.

Females and under-represented minority students are given preference for this one-time award. Students apply in Spring Quarter of their freshman year, and qualify for the scholarships if they are enrolled as full-time students at Northwestern University, taking classes and paying tuition in the Fall Quarter after the application submission.

Major(s): Cognitive Science School: Weinberg College of Arts and Science Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota

Michelle wrote on her STEM Scholarship application how her academic goal was to “learn as much as possible in a variety of different disciplines both within and outside of my Cognitive Science Major.” She had the schedule to achieve this goal with a very heavy credit hour load, including English, history, and religion along with her science, chemistry and math courses. She helped fellow students with science and math and enjoyed the satisfaction of her teaching moments. Her long term goal is to become a doctor—a goal combining her passion for math and science “helping those in need as much as I possibly can.”

In addition to her studies, she was an active volunteer as a freshman. She participated in the Alternative Spring Break, Campus Kitchens, Inspiration Café and NU Gives Back, a campus-wide day of service (May 19). This summer she is a camp counselor.