Camarillo, Calif., Sept. 24, 2012 – Chloe Keller, a 19-year-old Liberal Studies major from Fillmore, is the 2012-2013 CSU Channel Islands (CI) recipient of the prestigious William Randolph Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. The $3,000 award, given to one student at each of CSU’s 23 campuses, recognizes students with financial need who have overcome significant hardships to excel in academics, community service and personal achievements.
Keller maintains a 3.5 GPA while taking 19 units (6 classes), working part-time at a restaurant, and serving as a mentor to underprivileged and underrepresented students through CI’s LEAP (Leaders in Educational Awareness) and EOP (Educational Opportunities) programs. A Liberal Studies major, she is weighing future careers as a teacher or doctor.
“I’m so grateful to be awarded this scholarship,” Keller said. “Without the help of scholarships like this, I would be unable to go to college. This allows me to really take advantage of my education and focus on my studies without the added stress of having to work multiple jobs.”
Keller worked three part-time jobs in high school and was active in her school and community. She participated in student government, 4-H, swim team, softball, cheerleading, volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters, and was class valedictorian. She also won the title of Miss Hollywood Teen USA in 2011.
She credits her strong work ethic and desire to help others to being raised in a household that endured financial hardships.
“I had to grow up a little bit faster and help my family out,” she said. “But those challenges are what shaped me and helped me grow. I found refuge in studying, volunteering and immersing myself in activities.”
Keller says she chose CI because of its small classes, student-centered atmosphere, the beauty of its campus, and the abundance of scholarship, research, travel and community enrichment opportunities.
She and the other 22 awardees were honored at a luncheon with the CSU Board of Trustees in Long Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
For more information, visit https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/support-the-csu/csu-trustees-awards/our-donors/Pages/william-randolph-hearst-foundation.aspx.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.