Brooke Penders, Goodwin College Vice President for Advancement; Dean Marchessault; Jessie Carrillo
For one fortunate Goodwin College student, Valentine’s Day 2017 brought a gift destined to warm the heart far beyond traditional candy and flowers. Jessie Carrillo, who is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the career-focused East Hartford college, met with American Eagle Financial Credit Union President and CEO Dean Marchessault to receive a check for a $1,000 scholarship.
Carrillo, 29, is an East Hartford resident and the single mother of an eight-year-old son. Now in her fourth year at the College, she says that she elected to enroll at Goodwin because of its reputation for providing outstanding support to students. Carrillo has been able to work full-time as a property administrator for a non-profit organization while maintaining her 3.8 GPA.
Once she completes her Business Administration degree, she plans on pursuing her real estate license and continuing to work in the non-profit industry, finding additional ways of assisting the community. She currently volunteers for the Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, helping local individuals and families.
“Jessie is well deserving of this award and is an outstanding role model for others working and studying hard to improve their lives. We are thrilled to be partnering with Goodwin to offer this scholarship each year to a one of its business students,” said Marchessault.
The American Eagle scholarship will help Carrillo move even closer to her long-term career goals, and the Goodwin administration is grateful for the partnership.
“For over a decade, Goodwin College has been proud to call American Eagle Financial Credit Union a community partner and friend,” said Holly Winters, Goodwin’s Director of Development. “They have given thousands of dollars in scholarships to our students, contributed thousands more to capital projects, and sponsored a variety of fundraising events such as our annual Golf Tournament.”
The impact on the students is significant. “American Eagle makes a difference to our students and programs year after year,” she continued, “and we extend our deepest thanks to Dean Marchessault and our friends at American Eagle.”
Top (l to r): Greg Jordan, Goodwin College Advancement; Holly Winters, Goodwin College Director of Development; Dean Marchessault, American Eagle President and CEO; Jessie Carrillo, Goodwin College Business Administration student; Matthew Le, American Eagle Digital Marketing Specialist
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.