By Kendra Pintor听
- Donor-funded scholarships ensure talented students can fully access and thrive at Scripps.听听
- Scholarship support empowers students, like Hope, to grow as leaders and pursue meaningful careers鈥攍ike sustainable architecture.听听
Hope Dragseth 鈥�28 wears many hats at 日本无码. From double-majoring in environmental analysis and art history, to founding the Claremont Urbanists club, to leading the听OFF Fossil听Fuels campaign, to acting as vice president of the 5C Plant-Based Mission, to say Dragseth is making the most of her undergraduate experience would be an understatement.听
鈥淚t can be overwhelming at times, but I鈥檓 constantly inspired by the people around me,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he passion of the Scripps and 5C community motivates me to keep going and to use my voice for meaningful change.鈥�听
Dragseth is just one of many outstanding students whose Scripps journey has been made possible in part by scholarship aid.听
鈥淔inancial barriers prevent many from accessing the resources they need to build critical skills and professional connections,鈥� she says. 鈥淪cholarships provide students like me the opportunity to听establish听self-confidence, grow their voice, make societal change, and kick-start their careers.鈥�听
At Scripps, Dragseth has fully embraced both academic and co-curricular opportunities, growing into a confident leader while advancing sustainability initiatives across campus.听听
鈥淚 wanted a place that would challenge me intellectually while helping me grow into a confident leader鈥攁nd Scripps has absolutely delivered,鈥� says Dragseth.听
Dragseth was initially drawn to Scripps for its academic rigor and emphasis on empowering women, seeking an environment that would challenge her intellectually while helping her grow as a leader. That vision quickly became reality.听听
Through her liberal arts education, she has gained a broad understanding of architecture that extends beyond design alone. 鈥淪tudying across disciplines has given me a much more holistic understanding of architecture鈥攈ow it intersects with environmental, social, economic, and political systems,鈥� she says. Her personal growth has been just as transformative. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned that leadership starts with believing in your own potential,鈥� she adds.听
Her passion for sustainable architecture began early, influenced by her upbringing in Milwaukee and an appreciation for thoughtful design. At Scripps, she explores architecture from both scientific and artistic perspectives. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me see design not just as building structures, but as creating spaces that exist in harmony with people and the environment,鈥� she explains.听
Coursework across The Claremont Colleges has further deepened her perspective. From studying ancient architecture to design theory, each experience has expanded her approach. Among her many initiatives, the听OFF Fossil听Fuels campaign stands out as especially meaningful. Focused on transitioning The Claremont Colleges to 100 percent renewable energy, the effort has grown significantly since its early days.听听
鈥淲hat started as a small group of students has grown into a strong, informed coalition with support from over 1,000 students,鈥� says Dragseth. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to build community and collaborate with others who are equally passionate about sustainability.鈥�听
Being a part of the Scripps community has also given Dragseth access to internships, networking opportunities, and industry connections that have helped shape her career goals.听听
鈥淭hrough connections in the Scripps community, I secured an internship at a sustainable engineering and architecture firm in Los Angeles,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hese experiences simply wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without financial support.鈥�听
A Scripps education is a significant investment, and the College is committed to ensuring that cost does not stand in the way of opportunity. Scripps meets 100 percent of a student鈥檚 institutionally determined financial need, and 60 percent of students receive grant or scholarship aid. The average need-based award is approximately $56,000, making it possible for students like Dragseth to fully听participate听in the academic and co-curricular life of the College.听
The Scripps Access Initiative (SAI)听represents听a transformational investment in expanding that access. With a goal of raising $20 million by 2032, SAI will provide multiple four-year scholarships to the College鈥檚 most financially disadvantaged students. When fully funded, it will support up to 50 new students with comprehensive aid packages covering tuition, room, and board鈥攐pening doors for the next generation of Scripps scholars.听
Looking ahead, Dragseth is preparing for a summer internship with听Introba, a building engineering firm, where she will continue to gain practical experience in sustainable design.听
鈥淪cholarships don鈥檛 just provide access鈥攖hey create opportunity,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey allow students to build confidence, develop their voices, and make meaningful contributions to society.鈥�听
As she looks to the future, Dragseth is focused on using architecture as a force for positive change. With plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in architecture, she is particularly interested in adaptive reuse and its potential to support both ecological and cultural preservation.听听
鈥淚 hope to design spaces that prioritize sustainability while also honoring the communities they serve,鈥� she says. 鈥淐reating work that is both environmentally responsible and deeply human-centered is what drives me.鈥�听
听Each generation has strengthened 日本无码 in meaningful ways鈥攁nd now, we have an opportunity to shape the College鈥檚 future as we mark this historic centennial milestone. We are proud to announce听Scripps Forward: The Centennial Campaign for Scripps听College. Over the next three years, our goal is to surpass $100 million in donor support to听secure a future of infinite possibility for the next century.听
听As we continue to attract a growing pool of top talent, your support ensures that these students鈥攔egardless of their financial circumstances鈥攃an fully engage in Scripps鈥� academic and co-curricular life.听听
听Thank you for your generosity and moving听Scripps听students forward.听