EVS Impact Report
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The Engineering Visionary Scholarship brings the best engineers to The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois.
Engineering Visionary Scholarship Impact Report 2023
Established in July 2012, The Grainger College of Engineering Visionary Scholarship Initiative provides pooled, unrestricted support to highly qualified undergraduate students, regardless of their background. Gifts of all sizes contribute to the endowed fund, allowing Grainger Engineering to flexibly distribute more scholarships with enhanced regularity.
In the last ten years, we have increased by 55% the number of students under-represented in engineering and, in fall 2023, we welcomed the largest first-year class in Grainger Engineering history.
Student Story: Saliyah As-Salaam
Writing a high school paper about plastic pollution in the ocean inspired Saliyah As-Salaam to study and pursue a career in environmental science.
An internship with the Friends of the Forest Preserves, where she helps with seed collecting, planting and researching invasive species, solidified the civil engineering junior’s resolve to help communities with environmental concerns such as continued access to clean water. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering, eventually working in either site remediation or air and water quality.
Saliyah says the Engineering Visionary Scholarship gives her the opportunity to pursue her career goals and have a significant impact on her Grainger Engineering community.
“There are very few Black female civil engineers. Currently, only 16% of civil engineers are women and Black women only account for 3.8% of those positions … I realize that based on the historical data, accomplishing this is a tall feat, but I promise you that I’m up to the task. Nothing will stop me from achieving my academic and career goals, and receiving this scholarship has aided me in this process.”
“My primary goal is to ensure that through my life’s work and community service. I will continue to provide a positive social impact on my community and the world.”
438
total number of scholarship recipients (AY23-24)
48%
of scholarship recipients are women
28%
of scholarship recipients are first-generation students
33%
of scholarship recipients are from backgrounds under-represented in engineering
413
total number of gifts (AY23)
$11,270
average gift size
$2.8M
total endowment income
$74M
total market value
Student Story: Vishnuh Bala
Vishnuh Bala chose an aerospace engineering major because he wanted to dedicate his life to exploration. He chose The Grainger College of Engineering to expand his knowledge beyond his major. As a Grainger Engineer, Vishnuh can pursue a career in sustainable aviation and expand his technical skills in an environment that encourages multidisciplinary studies.
Vishnuh is the first person in his family to be born in the United States, and among the first to seek an education in the country. The second-year student says the Engineering Visionary Scholarship eased the financial burden of tuition and living expenses.
The support also gave Vishnuh the opportunity to join the Illinois Space Society and work on a competitive rocketry team, as well as help organize the Engineering Open House, an annual event showcasing Grainger Engineers’ cutting-edge innovations and attracting more than 20,000 visitors.
“To receive this gift has helped me work harder, as I can focus more on my studies and also taught me that my hard work won't go to waste. The aid your donation has given me opened up my interest in studying abroad later in college, and I'm now sure I want to study abroad before I graduate. I'll never get these years of my life back, and your gift has helped me make the most of them.”
“My dream job would be to work at a space agency like NASA to further humanity’s reach into the stars.”