Southeast MO State adds scholarship for teachers in honor of student

November 13, 2023

Shelby Brown,

Kaitlyn Marie Phillips (Source: Southeast Missouri State University)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Southeast Missouri State University added a scholarship in memory of a student who recently lost her battle to cancer.

It was one college student’s wish to be a teacher, and although she didn’t get to fulfill that dream she’s made sure others can.

The Kaitlyn Marie Phillips Endowed Scholarship was set up by Kaitlyn Phillips and her family, a student who recently lost her battle to cancer.

Amanda Lincoln, Assistant Vice President of Advance at Southeast Missouri State University, says Kaitlyn said her purpose was to become a teacher. She had a passion to teach the next generation and loved kids. That’s where the Kaitlyn Marie Phillips Scholarship for students majoring in early childhood education began.

“She’s just an incredible young woman who helped us identify the criteria and really gave a lot of intentionality and thought to it to really make sure the student who was receiving this was reflective of her values and what she felt made an important teacher,” said Lincoln.

The criteria for the scholarship was set up by Kaitlynn. She wanted to make sure the person receiving her scholarship was serious about teaching.

“Sixty credit hours and a 2.5 GPA and on top of that,” said Lincoln. “It was important to Kaitlyn that the recipient of this scholarship really indicate how much they wanted to be a teacher and could demonstrate that so there’s a 300 word essay component that goes along with it so the applicants can say why teaching is important to them.”