Empowering the Future: The Heart of the Alpha Phi Scholarship Reader Experience

For 67 years, the Alpha Phi Foundation scholarship program has stood as one of the sisterhood’s most vital legacies.

While the financial impact on recipients is life-changing, there is a parallel story of enrichment and renewed purpose found among the alumnae who volunteer as readers. For these dedicated women, the process is a profound reconnection to the heart of Alpha Phi.

Sherri Sanders: A Front Row Seat to the Future “Season Ticket Holder”

Sherri Sanders (Delta Tau-LSU and Omicron-Missouri) brings 40 years of higher education expertise to the scholarship committee. Her career has been dedicated to advancing the lives of students, and she views her role as a reader as a natural extension of her professional work. For Sherri, one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is the “awe factor” of watching the future of society and Alpha Phi unfold in real-time as sisters balance intense degree programs with sophisticated advocacy work.

Reading these applications is a truly humbling and eye-opening experience. Our applicants aren’t just serving as leaders and participating in volunteer events; they are collaborating with faculty on significant research, initiating community service with long-term impact, and serving as true changemakers, all while often balancing the demands of a job. Their ability to integrate high-level leadership with a genuine heart for service is the most inspiring thing I’ve witnessed as a reader.

She emphasizes that a scholarship provides a vital sense of “breathing room,” replacing the frantic dash to a part-time job with the freedom to pursue research projects, join intramural teams, or dive deeper into chapter life. Sherri describes the feeling of awarding these scholarships as deeply rewarding, as it directly removes financial barriers for sisters ready to change the world.

“Beyond the schedule shift, there is a profound psychological change too. I’ve seen how this support gives a sister the confidence to dream bigger, simply because she knows the Foundation and its donors believe in her. It’s often the exact moment a recipient realizes Alpha Phi isn’t just a four-year social experience; it’s a lifelong support system that carries her through her most ambitious goals.”

Sherri’s time as a reader has also provided powerful “full-circle” moments that illustrate the long-term impact of the Foundation’s mission. She recalls reviewing one standout application from a student who balanced a rigorous pre-med track with significant advocacy work, including serving as Student Body President and founding a peer-led wellness center. Years later, Sherri was moved to see that same sister’s name recognized in a national publication for receiving a prestigious global fellowship in Beijing.

For Sherri, this experience serves as a lasting reminder that scholarship readers aren’t just checking boxes; they are getting an early look at leaders who are already on their way to changing the world.

Bennette Irving: Capturing the Human Connection

Bennette Irving (Beta Upsilon-Oregon State) views her role as a scholarship reader as a natural extension of her commitment to uplifting students. Having watched her own children navigate the scholarship process with determination, she understands that these awards provide more than financial relief; they offer the freedom and confidence for students to engage fully in their academic and sorority experiences. For Bennette, an application stands out when she can feel a “human connection” and genuine authenticity within a sister’s story. “What stood out to me was the collective strength of our members. Each application reflected a woman navigating challenges while still pursuing excellence. The common thread was perseverance and that left a lasting impression on me.”

Reading these applications has given Bennette a deeper respect for the complexity of the world today’s young women navigate, from intense academic pressure to family and financial responsibilities, all while striving to lead and serve within their Chapters and communities. She finds herself in awe of the collective strength, integrity, and grit displayed by the applicants. This volunteer role has significantly expanded her connection to Alpha Phi on a national level, serving as a powerful reminder that the sisterhood is a vast network of ambitious, compassionate women striving to make a meaningful impact.

“Gifts to scholarship  are more than financial awards, they are investments in women’s futures. You are directly empowering a member to pursue her education and leadership journey with fewer barriers. Even small contributions collectively create life-changing opportunities. Supporting the Foundation is one tangible way we live out our commitment to sisterhood and advancement.”

Dana Schmukal: Witnessing Early Excellence

Dana Schmukal’s (Phi-Oklahoma) perspective is uniquely shaped by her experience as both a reader and the parent of a scholarship recipient. Dana’s daughter, Emily, (Delta Delta-Oklahoma City) was a Mabel Cowlishaw Siggins scholarship recipient in 2021 before graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2022. “Alpha Phi has done so much for me throughout my college career, and I have seen how much the organization will truly impact me going forward into my future endeavors after graduating. I am so thankful for this scholarship and the Alpha Phi Foundation’s efforts in supporting our philanthropic causes, as well as individual members, on their journey to become better women.”

Dana began volunteering during a phase of life when her home commitments became lighter, finding it a rewarding way to be involved with the Fraternity at an international level. She is consistently amazed by the “level of involvement, talent, wisdom, and commitment” of today’s collegians, noting that even sophomores and juniors are already making significant impacts within their chapters.

Dana believes that the diversity of perspectives brought by different readers ensures that every applicant has the best chance to be seen fairly and accurately. She views these scholarships as vital opportunities for women to experience significant growth at a young age, shaping their lives for years to come. For Dana, the experience of scholarship reading – combined with attending her first convention in 2024 – has completely revived her interest in staying active as an alumna.

A Legacy of Support: Our 2025-2026 Foundation Scholars

The impact of this program is best seen through the success of our most recent recipients. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Alpha Phi Foundation was proud to recognize 89 outstanding scholars, awarding a total of $358,900 in academic scholarships. These recipients—comprised of 61 undergraduate and 28 graduate members—represent the immense talent and ambition within our sisterhood. Their fields of study are as diverse as our membership, ranging from medicine and law to finance and architecture. For these women, these awards provide more than financial relief; they offer the stability to focus fully on the leadership opportunities that shape their future.

While we celebrate the achievements of our current scholars, please note that scholarship applications are currently closed for the 2026-2027 academic year. We are incredibly grateful to the volunteer readers and donors who make this cycle possible, and we can’t wait to announce our next class of recipients at the end of this summer.