Giving Thanks: Scholarship Helps Art Education Major Achieve Goal of Teaching Art as a Life Tool

This January, members of our Fulbright College Family are sharing expressions of gratitude, letters of thanks and their appreciation for those who have helped make their educational journey possible. 

Meet Michelle Kamanga, who thanks to the School of Art Scholarship, is one step closer to her dream of owning a non-profit art studio that’ll teach students to use art as a life tool.

School of Art Scholarship Recipient Michelle Kamanga

Name: Michelle Kamanga
Hometown: Little Rock, AR
Graduation: 2024
Major(s)/Minor(s): Majoring in Art Education, and minoring in Management with the Small Business and Entrepreneurship concentration

Activities/Interests: I enjoy being involved on campus. Some of my favorite activities are participating in Lead Hogs where I plan programs and volunteer. I also enjoy participating with CRU, which is a Christian community on campus. I attended weekly Bible studies and connected with so many people. For the upcoming semester, I am going to be a Resident Assistant which I am excited about. Lastly, my group in Sophomore Council will be hosting events for A-Week to help incoming freshmen feel at home at the University. When I have free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and spending time outside in nature.

Career Aspirations: My ideal career is to own a non-profit art studio that’ll teach students to use art as a life tool. My studio will add something worthwhile and beneficial to the community. I want to engage youth to participate in building the tools to speak up and express themselves in a world where they might not always have a voice. This would be my ideal career because I get to do the things I love the most; create art and serve my community. I will use my degree in Art Education and minor in Management with the Small Business and Entrepreneurship concentration to achieve this goal.

In her own words:

Dear Friends of the University of Arkansas,

I am so thankful for your generous scholarship contribution. I am relying heavily on people and organizations like you to help me finance my college journey. As I am given the opportunity to move on to a sophomore year, I feel blessed and thankful.

I am majoring in Art Education K-12 and minoring in Management with the Small Business and Entrepreneurship concentration. I plan to own a non-profit art studio that’ll teach students to use art as a life tool. My studio will add something worthwhile and beneficial to the community. I want to engage youth to participate in building the tools to speak up and express themselves in a world where they might not always have a voice. My degree will allow me to pursue this career.

Fortunately, I am on the right track and have worked hard this school year. I kept a 4.0 landing myself on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s lists. When I am not studying, I am participating in church, painting, and reading.

Again, I am thankful for the generous scholarship. I am the oldest of seven children and we are all going to be in college by the year 2024. This scholarship will allow the financial burden to be lifted off of my parents’ shoulders and allow me to receive a degree where I can give back to my community and still satisfy my passion for art.

This scholarship is highly appreciated, and I am excited to continue my college journey. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michelle Kamanga

For more information about the School of Art Scholarship or to make a gift to support the college’s students, faculty, or staff, please contact Fulbright College’s Office of Development and External Relations at 479-575-3712 or fulbright@uark.edu.