Meet Andi and Matthew, Silas Craft Collegians
Named after Howard County educator and civil rights leader Dr. Silas E. Craft, Sr., the Silas Craft Collegians program focuses on recent high school graduates whose past performance does not reflect their true potential and is designed to increase retention, scholastic achievement, graduation, and transfers to four-year institutions.
Andi Passerelli
Andi was excited to find out she could double major in both early childhood education and special education at Howard Community College (HCC). Due to the workload, she knew she would need help with time management and prioritizing her tasks. “The Silas Craft Collegians program really built my confidence and gave me the tools I needed to be successful in school,” she said. “The classes they offered helped me set goals through each semester and focused me to make sure I was going in the right direction.” After graduating in the spring, Andi hopes to find a job in her field. She is very thankful for the Dorothye Craft Compassionate Student Award and stated, “This award made me realize I could do more than I thought I could.”
Dorothye Craft Compassionate Leader Award
Congratulations to the first student recipient of the Dorothye Craft Compassionate Leader award. Andi Passerelli was chosen because of her positive attitude, her desire to learn, and her leadership abilities. Andi is not only dedicated to her studies, but she’s a cheerful and intelligent presence that embodies the characteristics of a learning community. She engages her colleagues around a shared goal and has invested in mutually supportive relationships.
Matthew Cheruiyot
Matthew’s grades and finances precluded him from attending a 4-year university right out of high school. After starting HCC and experiencing the classes and professors, he said, “The smaller class sizes, more one-on-one professor attention, and a more present administration made me realize this was the best decision I ever made.” Joining the Silas Craft Collegian’s program taught him how to study effectively for college. “The weekly study sessions gave me structure and that, in turn, gave me more confidence in myself as a student. That structure was key in me attaining a 3.9 GPA; the highest GPA I’ve ever had,” he said. “Silas Craft showed me I could achieve things I did not know were possible and that my future was in my hands.” After graduating HCC, Matthew hopes to go to a 4-year university to study urban planning.