Wallin Education Partners

We're just ONE WEEK away from Give to the Max Day! Every donation you make can help scholars like Elaine, with additional resources like emergency funds which helped her replace essentials like clothing and food after a house fire, allowing her to focus on her studies. And thanks to a matching gift, every dollar will be doubled! Together, we can make a difference! Early giving is live so give today: https://lnkd.in/dQtd6xkx #GTMD24 #WallinGiveToTheMax #SupportScholars #OneWeekAway

Welcome Alex Askew, CFRE, Director of Development! Alex comes to Wallin from The Bakken Museum, where he was Vice President of Philanthropy. He has over 10 years of fundraising experience for Minnesota-based nonprofits with an interest in the role of Community-Centric Fundraising and the ways equity work can be woven into our standard practices. As a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), we're excited to bring his expertise to Wallin. Welcome to the team, Alex!

Scholars from St. Ben's gathered for a fun and creative day, hosted by one of our wonderful advisors for our Wallin Scholars! With tacos, coloring, crafting, and DIY Wallin keychains, it was a day of fun and creativity! Gatherings like these to build connections, foster support, and celebrate our scholars’ journeys. #WallinScholars 

In our final post celebrating National First-Generation Celebration Day, meet Maihlee Lee, 2-Year Scholar Advisor at Wallin. Maihlee reflects on her journey as a first-generation college student, driven by the sacrifices her grandparents and parents made for a better future. Inspired by their hard work, Maihlee pursued a college degree to secure a fulfilling career and create opportunities for herself and others. She graduated from St. Catherine’s University in 2017 and later earned her Master’s in Social Work from Capella University in 2023, thanks to a full-ride scholarship from a nonprofit partnership with her former employer, PYC Arts and Tech High School. Her path wasn’t without challenges. Maihlee initially entered college as an undecided major, trying Nursing at her parents' encouragement. After facing setbacks, she sought guidance from her academic advisor and College Possible coach, ultimately discovering her passion for Social Work. The support of mentors, including Kim, her College Possible coach and current Wallin Advisor, proved invaluable, helping Maihlee feel comfortable and connected on campus. Her advice to first-gen students: Identify your trusted mentors on campus, go to them with any questions and concerns you may have, so they can help you navigate college and resources, help you problem solve, and be your cheerleaders!

We can't tell you how much impact a small gift can make. Each donation, no matter the size, is a powerful way to support our scholars on their educational journey. Your generosity provides essential aid, advising, and access to students who are determined to succeed despite the odds.  Early giving has started for Give to the Max Day!  Let's come together as a community to create opportunities for these deserving students. Every dollar. Meaningful impact. Bright futures. One scholar at a time. Join us in making a difference—together, we empower the journeys of the next generation! https://lnkd.in/dQtd6xkx #GTMD24 #GiveToTheMaxDay #SupportEducation  

As we continue to honor National First-Generation Celebration Day, we want to celebrate Kaili today, Career Development Partnerships Coordinator at Wallin! I was motivated to pursue a college degree by my parents and knowing how many doors would be opened for my future by going to college. I wanted to be able to live the life I wanted but also be able to give back to my parents, who were my biggest supporters and always did everything they could to support me and my siblings. I struggled with building community and finding where I "fit in.” I went to college, and I also worked full time, so it was really a lot of school and work. The classes were also 100+ students because they were college basics the first few years. I would go to work out classes or try to go to various events, but always felt like an outsider because everyone else knew one another from organizations, classes, etc. I eventually overcame this by learning that it was okay for me to take up space and ended up making friends with classmates in my major classes, we were able to grow together academically and as young people in their twenties. My education has really set me up for success when it comes to cultivating relationships and being able to shift tasks and responsibilities. I originally wanted to be a teacher and run programming for new parents, and I ended up being able to take those transferable skills and apply them to the work I do now in the career and workforce development. My experiences have also taught me how to resonate and coach students who face the same challenges as I did. I still feel a great sense of calling to education but in a non-academic sense, so that actually led me to get my master’s. Kaili’s advice to first-gen college students: It is okay to be scared because that is when the most growth happens! Get involved in any way you can and learn to say “yes” to opportunities in both professional and personal components. You never know where it will lead you!

Wallin is hiring! Are you passionate about higher education and supporting young adults in their college journey? We are looking for a Scholar Advisor to guide students through collegiate processes, including academic, financial, career, and personal support. See link below to apply for this full-time hybrid position today and make a difference in scholars’ lives. https://lnkd.in/gQ_RvAa2

In our final post for the day, we celebrate Dale, Director of Communications at Wallin! For me, college was the only bridge to opportunity that I knew. My parents and elders instilled in me the importance of going to college, but not education. It wasn’t a choice but a path toward a better life—an intervention to break the cycle of generational poverty and transcend limitations I saw around me day after day. However, the guidance stopped at “Go to college.” No one in my camp had the firsthand knowledge to guide me through the intricacies of college applications, financial aid, or academic advising, let alone career development. I learned to navigate this uncharted territory alone, relying on a mix of fragmented direction, internet self-help, and intuition. Unfortunately, I preferred it that way. I had something to prove and told myself my success would mean more if I did it alone. Through sheer persistence and determination, I managed to graduate with a degree that meant very little to me in the moment but did support my occupation. In hindsight, though, much is left to be desired regarding passion, vocation, purpose, and fulfillment. Unlike many of my peers, I worked full-time throughout college, understanding classroom lessons didn’t always align with the demands of the job. I knew experience would be the asset that would get me hired, so I pushed myself to gain it wherever I could. It proved helpful, as I’ve been leading teams and organizations ever since, having the opportunity to work in two different industries, four different fields, twelve cities, and twenty-two organizations, all within fifteen years. If I could advise my younger self or current first-gen college students, it would be this: Don’t do it alone. Seek out spaces and people genuinely invested in your success, and don’t stop until you find them. I wish I had the guidance of an organization like Wallin Education Partners during my four-year journey—an institution built to see me through from high school graduation to the career stage. With an advisor who pushes you to ask the right questions, you can shape a future and fight for the version of yourself that you want to see five years from now. Your journey is uniquely yours. And, I want you to enjoy that journey.

Next, meet Yuri Garcia-Peña, Manager of Data Integrity at Wallin. Yuri shares her advice for first-gen college students: Don't be afraid to ask for help: College can feel like a lot to handle, especially when you’re figuring things out on your own. Asking questions and getting advice doesn’t mean you’re struggling; it's utilizing your resources. People are there to help, so don’t hesitate to ask them for that help!

Happy National First-Generation Celebration Day! Today we are spotlighting Tasia Tigue, our VP of Programs. Tasia reflects on her college journey at a time when "First Generation" wasn’t a widely used term. Thanks to thoughtful programming and supportive staff at the University of Minnesota, Tasia connected with other first-gen students through a summer bridge program and her early classes. These friendships became a foundation, sharing in the same challenges and supporting each other every step of the way that she never felt alone. Her advice to today’s first-gen students: Find friends different and similar from yourself, who see ALL of you and embrace all the complexities that make you - you. Ask for help. It can be incredibly difficult as a first gen student to admit you don't know something. Do it anyway. Ask for help and you will be surprised to see how many people are willing to help you.