“I feel like I’m part of history,” said Stephanie Quarshie ’22, a Biology major who went to Paris on Preview. She’s one of 10 students who received the Black Alumni Association of Arcadia University (BAAAU)’s inaugural Preview scholarships for 2019. “I’m grateful. Preview is why I came to Arcadia.”

Student recipients met with members of BAAAU, along with their Preview leaders and co-leaders, during a reception after Global Expo on April 5. They shared stories and photos of their time abroad, detailing how they tried new cuisines and flew on airplanes for the first time.

“It doesn’t feel real,” said BAAAU President Aliyah Abraham ’18. “We had an ambitious goal and we achieved it—even better, we exceeded it. And it’s amazing to hear the student experiences and how they thoroughly enjoyed Preview.”

Abraham encouraged the first cohort of scholarship recipients to pay it forward to the next class by acting as mentors and sharing their experiences. She also reminded them that BAAAU is there for them as a resource.

“As the first to travel through this award, you’ve paved the way for future generations of students to broaden their global perspectives in their first year at Arcadia,” said President Ajay Nair in a welcome video to those in attendance. “I look forward to connecting with our inaugural scholarship recipients, who I’m sure have countless stories to share.”

BAAAU has launched the #20for2020 campaign, which looks to double the number of scholarship recipients for the Preview 2020 program. They’ve already begun fundraising efforts, including an upcoming Casino Royale event where guests can roll the dice for a chance to win prizes.