Scholarship Recipients

Sydney Fishback

2021 CohortGraduation 2023

Southern Methodist UniversityReceiving my Bachelors in Finance

Elizelda Martinez

2019 CohortGraduation 2023

My name is Elizelda Martinez and I just graduated from DCCCD with my Associate's of Science in June.
I have been an ETK scholar for two years now and am currently studying at Southern Methodist University as a transfer student with a full-ride scholarship that I received from ETK this semester. I will be graduating from SMU with my BBA in Finance in 2023 and be able to help others that are in need of financial advice or help businesses strive to obtain better financial results. I am also very passionate about music and worshipping the Lord whenever I have the time to do so.

El Centro CollegeAssociates of Arts in Criminal Justice

Marlen Pacheco

2019 CohortGraduation 2021

Since a young age I knew I wanted to study Criminal Justice, I am passionate about my carreer and since middle school I knew that this was my path to walk. Growing up in a bad neighborhood where not many went to high school or college was harsh. Not only was it a violent neighborhood but the odds of having a good future were low, yet I was part of that small amount of people who were able to succeed. Now I want to give back to my community with my carreer.

Brookhaven CollegeAssociate of Applied Arts in Graphic Design

Quyen Nguyen

2019 CohortGraduation 2020

My name is Quyen Nguyen and I am majoring in Business Computer Science. Born and raised in an abusive family, I managed to escape Vietnam to America-the land of freedom. Here, as an international student, I constantly suffer with quite a lot of obstacles: lack of funds for school, paying twice more than the residents, not being able to get an internship or a job. After knowing ETKramp, I never knew that people’s hearts could be as warm as giving me support financially and emotionally. Thanks to them, I could go to school one more day and able to finish my Associate. I major in Business Information System, which will grant me more access to the technology part of the world and also fulfill my dream when I was a kid. I am aiming for Microsoft because they are one of the most innovative companies when it comes to AI. Whether I can stay in America to finish my dream or not, I am glad that I got the chance to know ETKramp and I am honored to receive one of the most generous scholarships in my life. My dream is always the same: I will establish a foundation, just like ETKramp, to nurture children who were abused, misled, mistreated. I was once like them, and I know how sacred it is to have a hand reaching out when you are in your lowest. Thank you for giving me the chance. I would never forget how much ETKramp helped me and would always consider them as my family.

Dallas college (Mountain View and Richland Campuses)Associate of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Grace Mulumba Lupandu Nibert

2019 CohortGraduation 2021

Months before my birth, my family and I were forced to leave our native Democratic Republic of Congo for Belgium to escape instability brought by civil war – leaving behind home, cars, necessities and life as we knew it. Through the span of many years we rebuilt our lives, I learned French and English, acclimated to Belgium customs, and even endured a rare birth impairment known as flatfeet.

Around junior high, I went through a surgery on both feet to cure my birth malformation and relocated to the United States right after. Upon arrival to the U.S., I learned to adapt to this new land, overcame the culture shock that I faced early on, and learned to walk again. After attending Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill for a year, I dropped out during my junior year and earned my GED diploma at 16 years old. That same year, I started college, first at the Mountain View Campus and then Richland Campus of Dallas College.

I have now earned an associate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Dallas College (in June of 2021) and transferred to the University of Texas at Dallas. I am now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentration in Premedical. Later, I will pursue graduate studies in medical school, become a Doctor of Medicine (MD), and complete residency to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Furthermore, l am determined to obtain a doctorate in my medical specialization to lecture in high-ranking universities.

Apart from my academic responsibilities and passions, I enjoy a wide variety of hobbies. These include playing the piano, painting, drawing, playing sports (especially soccer), board games (checkers and chess), video games, reading and writing. These hobbies have truly taught me many life lessons and skills such as teamwork and leadership.

Furthermore, since I started college, I have taken interest in programming, social media marketing, web-making and conceptualizing and implementing various projects either alone or with a team for the benefit of my community at large. For instance, I am currently partnering with nonprofit organizations such as the American Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, which offer me a great opportunity to contribute to the well-being of this nation.

My mission is to become a physician who will use his skillset to combine the ever-evolving modern technology with the infinitely resourceful world of science and medicine for the benefit of society. I am grateful to the Erin Tierney Kramp Foundation for helping me get significantly closer to this lifelong goal.

Southern Methodist UniversityBachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics

Hadja Nabintou Kone

2018 CohortGraduation 2020

Hi, I am Hadja Nabintou Kone.

I was born and raised in the Ivory Coast. I have four siblings. I lost my father at the age of five and I started working to help pay my tuition at age seven. In 2016, I moved to the United States and was attending the Dallas College (Brookhaven College) where I graduated with an associate's degree in science. In 2018 I received the SMU Erin Tierney Kramp Honors Transfer scholarship to attend the Southern Methodist University where I graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Statistical science in 2020.

currently, I am working as a full time front end developer, and I am passionate about data, machine learning, big data and artificial intelligence. aside from that I enjoy being around family and friends, I like action movies, I like cooking dishes from different countries, and finally I love teaching.

University of Houston (still attending)Industrial Design, B.S. (Minor in Energy & Sustainability)

Pascal Bakari

2018 CohortGraduation 2023

Pascal Bakari is currently studying Industrial Design with a minor in Energy and Sustainability at the UH College of Architecture and Design. Before transferring to UH, Pascal studied abroad at the Global Citizenship Alliance Seminar in Salzburg, Austria, and Dallas College. At Dallas College, he led an undergraduate research project on air quality that was published in the 2018 edition of the Civic Scholar Journal and earned him Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Distinguished Chapter Officer Award. In 2018, Pascal was awarded the ETK Encouragement Scholarship and the following year, he became a Coca-Cola Scholar, earning him a transfer scholarship to the University of Houston. At UH, Pascal serves as a UH Ambassador and holds leadership roles in student organizations including the Energy Coalition and the Student Industrial Designers Society of America. When he’s not studying at UH, Pascal enjoys running, exploring architecture in the city of Houston, and volunteering at his local church.

Dallas College El Centro CampusAssociate degree in Science

Faith Toluwanimi Akinmade

2017 CohortGraduation 2018

Faith Akinmade moved to the United States from Nigeria at the age of 16, leaving her family behind to fulfill her dream in the United States. Though it was difficult at first, Faith has since adjusted to living in the US, going on to receiving awards and scholarships for good academic standing and student involvement, as well as clinical excellence.

Faith graduated cum laude from the University of Texas Arlington with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Nursing where she was the only student in her cohort to graduate with an honors degree. In her last year of nursing school, Faith wrote a paper on adolescent birth expectations and psychological birth trauma and it is currently in the last stage of publishing. She currently works as an ICU nurse at the University of Louisville Hospital. While she has learned a lot from working in the ICU, her dream is to be a labor and delivery nurse and then go on to become a nurse-midwife.

Faith values a number of things in her life and the top of that is her faith, her family, and her friends. She always seeks to create new connections with people and always opts for leadership roles. It is her passion to teach others to succeed in whatever they find themselves doing and to make an impact wherever she goes.

El CentroAssociates of Arts

Stephanie Hastings Johnson

2016 CohortGraduation 2021

Stephanie is currently a Cultural Anthropology student at UTA. She has two grown sons and lives in Dallas with her artist husband.

Brookhaven and UTDEC-6 Teaching

Ana Maracine

2014 CohortGraduation 2019

I was born in Mendoza, Argentina on January 20th to two amazing and very hard working parents, Eduardo and Sylvia. Immigrated to the state in 2001 where I started my journey in education. I’ve always love helping others and makes me happy to see other people happy and see them strive. I was raised in the Richardson School District and graduated high school in 2012. My junior year in high school both my parents were deported and I stayed here for a better future. I attended Brookhaven College and then transferred to the University of Texas at Dallas to get my teaching degree. I’m currently teaching Kindergarten in a Title 1 school with struggling students who I absolutely love with all my heart. I am married to my sweet, smart, and nerdy husband, Cristian and we adopted our dog Rocky on our one year anniversary from SPCA. I love to spend time with my family, friends and students! I enjoy traveling, eating, sleeping, having game nights, listening to educational podcasts and watching TV.

Texas Tech UniversityBS in Multidisciplinary Studies

Elizabeth Shirey

2013 CohortGraduation 2016

I gradated from Sachse High School in 2013, Eastfield in 2015, and Texas Tech in 2016. I am currently in my 6th year in elementary special education and teach at Schell Elementary School in Plano ISD. My passions are my students, family, church, and friends.

Richland collegeAssociates

Reginald A. Forest

2009 CohortGraduation 2010

Born in New Orleans, now living in Dallas since 2007. My passions are helping others, reading, and enjoying life daily.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)Bachelor of Science, Economics with Financial Applications Minor in Philosophy

Dylan Lewis

2007 CohortGraduation 2011

EastfieldMasters of Science in Nursing

Sara Hays Lewis

2005 CohortGraduation 2007

Southern Methodist UniversityBA Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

Raul Mateo Magdaleno

2003 CohortGraduation 2006

R. Mateo Magdaleno is an author, public speaker and the Global Chief Education Officer for the IDQ Group Inc., providing innovative education strategies to corporations, non-profit, government agencies, universities and school districts who are committed to reducing the drop out rate and increasing college enrollment among underserved students.
Magdaleno is also the Founder and Chairman of The Magdaleno Leadership Institute, a non-profit organization devoted to building student servant leaders. In 2014 Magdaleno was appointed by the U.S. Senate Majority Leader and confirmed by Congress, to serve a eight-year term on the U.S. Congressional Award National Board of Directors, who present Congress’ highest award for youth. He also serves on the Texas Advisory Council for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
In addition, to managing his own business and philanthropic work, Magdaleno serves as the caregiver of his elderly mother, Maria and in the process of adopting his older sister, Sylvia Magdaleno, who is gifted with down syndrome. Furthermore, Magdaleno is honored to serve on the After8toEducate a safe house for homeless youth, that was completed Fall 2019 .

Eastfield College & TAMU CommerceCriminal Justice AA & Kinesiology BS

Gina Patterson

1998 CohortGraduation 2002

Burned 88% in a flash fire that took the lives of my dad, sister and two friends. Rehabbed back to play college Volleyball and threw the javelin at a DII college. I've taught college PE, 2005 to 2017. Volunteer FF/EMT for six years. Volunteer camp counselor for burn camps for kids since 1999. Still love playing volleyball and indoor soccer. I've taken part in multiple research studies regarding burn injuries. Currently working on a book.