WWW.MARSHALL.EDU/FOUNDATION “The thing I love most about Marshall is how it feels like home,” said Mikayla Thompson. She believes Marshall provides a big- school feeling, while she remains at home in a smaller town. The Wayne County native is majoring in elementary education and hopes to continue her education to earn her master’s degree in leadership studies. “My grandmother and mother are both teachers and received both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marshall University,” said Mikayla. “They both spoke very highly of the College of Education. I knew if I was pursuing a degree in education, Marshall was the right decision.” As a junior in the program, Mikayla said her favorite part is the clinical experiences because it exposes students to what their daily life as a teacher will be like. “I am looking forward to learning how to modify my lesson plans and activities to accommodate all students,” she added. “I believe this is such an important aspect of teaching, and it is incredibly important to me that all my future students succeed.” Mikayla credits Dr. Melinda Backus and Mrs. Amanda Preece for teaching the raw material that is not found in textbooks. “They were both classroom teachers and have the experience and knowledge to guide us as future teachers,” said Mikayla. A recipient of the Jo Ashworth Memorial Scholarship, Mikayla is grateful for all donors. “Scholarships mean so much to me. I have been fortunate enough to have parents who are making sacrifices to send me to college; however, I know it gets very hard on them sometimes,” she said. “Scholarships allow those who have a desire to make a difference in this world succeed.” In addition to being a full-time student, Mikayla works for the College of Education’s HEART Tutoring Program, a privately funded program that allows students to aid classroom teachers in group instruction and one-on-one assistance. “I have led lessons and assisted teachers while they do so. It is wonderful exposure to the classroom and students,” said Mikayla. “I have been introduced to many different classroom strategies that I plan to use in my classroom. I am incredibly thankful for the things and people the HEART Program has allowed me to experience.” Mikayla also works 15 hours each week at Hite-Saunders Elementary School, where she assists with teacher and student needs in the classroom. She also waitresses to pay for transportation to and from school and work and teaches Sunday School at Wayne United Methodist Church. Her favorite place on the Huntington campus is the Memorial Student Center Starbucks. “I always go there to write lesson plans, papers or develop ideas on my laptop sitting at the same little table,” she said. “To me, there is nothing better than a quiet place to think.” In her spare time, Mikayla enjoys taking classes at Brown Dog Yoga Studio. As she ponders educating children, Mikayla believes alumni can truly help the next generation obtain their higher education because they understand the financial struggle. “The more alumni who continue to give to those trying to get through school, the more potential students we would have interested in higher education,” she said. “The more people in school, the better our society is becoming. Older people say ‘the youth is the future generation,’ so why would alumni not want to contribute to the future?” Students like Mikayla understand the importance of contributing to change the future because of the gratitude they feel for having privately funded scholarships help them achieve their dreams. Pictured: Mikayla Thompson with her mother, Eva Thompson, who teaches at Wayne Elementary where Mikayla completed her first clinical experience. Student Spotlight Eight years ago the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association moved into the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall. Happy Anniversary!