Scholarship Information
Geraldine Berrigan Memorial Scholarship | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Amount: | $1,000 |
| Faculty: | Business |
| Application Form: | Application Form |
| Occasion: | Fall |
| Scholarship Type: | Award |
| Description: | Granted to a student in the Faculty of Business who is in the second year of study, achieved an 80% overall average or greater in their first year of study at UPEI, is in financial need, and has an interest in pursuing a career in digital, technology, marketing or retail. |
| Background: | This scholarship was created by Jennifer Maks to honour her grandmother and to give back to UPEI, both of which played pivotal roles in her life. PEI has always held a special place in Jennifer's heart. Her mother is originally from PEI and a graduate of St. Dunstan's University (now known as UPEI], and although Jenn lived in Montreal growing up, her parents were teachers, and so, they spent summers vacationing with Jenn's grandparents on the Island. When the time came for her to go to university, Jenn was accepted to the Faculty of Business at UPEI and started the BBA program in the Fall of 1996. Preparing to come live in PEI at that time, Jenn didn't really know anyone, and was comforted greatly by the fact that her maternal grandmother, Geraldine (Gerry) Berrigan, still lived in Charlottetown. Jenn was able to visit her often during her three years at UPEI, and after working diligently to improve her academic standing in her first year, Jenn was able to secure an academic scholarship for her subsequent years of study, which helped from a financial perspective, and also provided a much-needed boost to her confidence at the time. After UPEI, Jenn worked in Web Marketing, and then pursued an MBA at McGill University, which she completed in 2004. Following this, she continued working in digital & marketing, and has spent the last 16 years at the ALDO Group where, in 2021, she is the Senior Vice President of ALDO North America & Omnichannel. In July 2021, Jenn was recognized as one of the top international women executives in retail, as selected by the Women in Retail Leadership Circle. Jenn thinks back fondly of her time at UPEI and considers it a turning point in her life; she is grateful of the support provided by her grandmother during this time - and throughout her life - and is honoured to establish this scholarship in her name. |
