The Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award recognizes outstanding students who have helped foster interracial understanding and goodwill. Inspired and trained by several past recipients, Mackenzie Smith, a political science major, achieved her goal on Jan. 20, when she and several other hand-picked students received the scholarship award.
“I was ecstatic,” Smith said. “It feels like an honor to be a part of something so powerful, so inspirational to so many others, to know that I can join in that community and give hope to others just like it feels good.”
Smith drew inspiration from her friends, who had received the award years prior.
“I knew some of the recipients who received the award, and I just remember looking into it and I was just like, I want to be a part of that,” Smith said. “I just want to make change, get involved and make an impact on my community. I always kind of knew this was something that I wanted to be a part of.”
For Smith, preparation was a big part of the process, whether it was through the Career and Life Design Center or talking to past recipients of the award.
“I just remember going to Career and Life Design so much and just preparing,” Smith said. “I remember talking to past recipients and asking them what questions I should prepare for and practicing for the interview, so it was a lot of practicing preparation for the actual day to come.”
One of Smith’s biggest tips is to make genuine connections from all corners of OU’s campus.
“I know the main thing is to get involved on campus, but my biggest tip is to make good connections on campus, genuine ones by speaking to students and staff members, just saying hi, and then letting things progress from there,” Smith said. “You don’t always have to be the E-Board member of everything, but just getting involved somewhere, starting somewhere is better than nothing, and you can eventually grow from that.”
While Smith was ecstatic over receiving the award, she was more excited for the doors this opportunity opens for her.
“Many other past recipients have received different internships,” Smith said. “During the day of the event, I got to talk to so many different sponsors who gave me their business card to keep in contact. And the number one thing is to keep in contact. Definitely reach out and definitely don’t let them forget who you are.”
After making it through law school, Smith’s goal is to work in the House of Representatives or Congress to help pass laws and bills to help the community, minority groups, LGBTQ+ groups and the people she cares about.
“I really want to be a driving support for them, especially in the times that we’re in today, it’s more now than ever that we have people who genuinely want to see progressive change in like a community and just to come together,” Smith said.
Students interested in the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award can visit the Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI) webpage for information on past recipients and how to apply.
