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Titre recipient of Arbor Creek Scholarship
As Zanisha Titre wrote her essay applying for the Arbor Creek Scholarship, a quote kept coming to her mind. “We rise by lifting others.”
“This philosophy speaks volumes to my journey at MSU,” she wrote. “A journey not made alone but alongside countless individuals who have supported me, a young woman from Dominica, who embarked on a transformative journey armed only with a suitcase and a dream to end the cycle of poverty within her family.”
Titre’s essay was successful. She was awarded the Arbor Creek Scholarship, which provides a graduate student with a one-bedroom apartment at Arbor Creek Apartments rent-free for one year.
Titre came to MSU Texas in 2019, two years after Hurricane Maria devastated her country. She had no idea how she would finance her degree outside of the assistance received from her government and the contributions she received from her mother.
A year into her degree, COVID struck, sending her country into further economic difficulties and creating uncertainty over her ability to continue her studies due to finances. “It was during this critical period that I realized I was surrounded by people who were invested in me and my success,” she said. Thanks to the relationships she fostered during her first year at MSU Texas, she secured a position as a resident assistant, which not only alleviated the financial burden of housing but also allowed her to experience personal and professional growth.
Titre said her time as an RA was an opportunity to give back to MSU Texas by participating in recruitment efforts such as Mustangs Rally and re-enrollment efforts through everyday interactions with residents and students, and in turn, improving their campus experience. “This role also provided me with essential professional skills through various training programs conducted by Residence Life and Housing,” she said.
Beyond her duties as an RA, Titre participated in community service organizations such as the Rotaract Club of MSU, where she was able to support the Wichita Falls community by volunteering at and organizing a food drive for the Wichita Falls Food Bank and hosting a bingo night to raise funds for Patsy’s House Children’s Advocacy Center.
Titre graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor’s in marketing and is now
working toward a master’s in business analytics. She applied for the Arbor Creek Scholarship so she could continue her studies and focus on giving back to the community and excelling academically without the worry of rent.
Arbor Creek Apartments and Haley Residential have supported MSU Texas graduate students with this scholarship for the past 16 years. In 2009, Arbor Creek management personnel realized how overwhelming the financial consequences could be when a college graduate decided to pursue an advanced degree. They stepped in to help, according to Haley Residential Regional Manager Kathie Tant. Since then, the scholarship, valued at approximately $9,540, has provided 16 students with a place to live without the burden of rent.
Tant credits all the Arbor Creek staff for supporting and maintaining the scholarship. “We love doing this,” she said.
Tiffany Ziegler, dean of the Dr. Billie Doris McAda Graduate School, said that MSU Texas is fortunate to have partnerships with community businesses such as Arbor Creek that recognize and foster academic success. “This is a huge benefit because it helps make earning a graduate degree more affordable, and in some cases, is life-changing for the recipient,” Ziegler said. “I’m extremely grateful to Kathie Tant and Haley Residential for their generous support of Midwestern State University, the McAda Graduate School, and our students.”
Ziegler said that the graduate school’s benefactor, Dr. Billie Doris McAda, knew the hardships students could face and developed the endowment, which included scholarships, especially for students such as Titre. “This is thus an extension of her goodwill and her beliefs,” Ziegler said. “I know Zanisha will make the most of this opportunity.”
And she has. Titre offers informal tutoring to peers and enjoys events such as Maverick’s Day of Service, reinforcing her commitment to community service and exemplifying the spirit of rising by lifting others.
“The opportunity to receive this scholarship represents more than just financial assistance; it is a recognition of past efforts and an investment in future potential,” she said. “I am deeply grateful for the consideration, and I am eager to continue representing MSU Texas with pride and dedication.”Related Posts
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