Mitchell McDowell: Last Dollar Scholarship makes his dreams reality

It’s been a start-stop-start journey, but Mitchell McDowell is on his way to realizing his dream: earning a bachelor’s degree and becoming a fifth-grade math teacher.

McDowell graduated from Wellsville High School in 2011 and headed off to college. Along the way, the cost of continuing his education became a struggle and he was forced to put his dream on hold for a few years.

“Financial aid issues caused me to not be able to continue my schooling at that time for two full years,” he explained. “This caused me to start completely over on my road to getting my bachelor’s degree.”

Eventually, he found his way to the Kent State Salem Campus and enrolled in the early childhood education degree program. In the spring of 2020, he earned his associate degree and did not stop there. He knew he wanted more.

McDowell is now set to graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. He currently holds a 3.9 grade point average while completing fall field hours. Next semester, he will complete his student teaching requirements.

For the last four years, McDowell worked as a paid paraprofessional at Garfield Elementary School in Wellsville while going to college. Because of the time required for his field work and student teaching assignments, however, he was forced to quit working.

“This semester, I have received some much-needed assistance in the form of scholarships and financial aid,” he explained. “Without this support, I would not have been able to continue on with my placement for student teaching and would not be able to finish my senior year.”

McDowell expressed appreciation for the scholarships he received and for those who contribute to these funds.

“If you can support scholarships without it affecting you heavily, please do so. If not for the aid I received this semester, I would be unable to finish my goal and ultimately my dream of getting my bachelor’s degree and becoming a teacher. Hopefully, I can make a positive impact on some child’s life,” he offered.     “If I can do that, then all of the struggles will have been worth it.”

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Photo: Mitchell McDowell