GBHEM Scholarship Helps Cleaver Taking Advantage of Opportunity at Stanford University

Alayna Cleaver’s journey to Stanford University is about using education to create solutions for everyday problems. As a recipient of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) Ethnic Scholarship, Cleaver plans to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in engineering, focusing on engineering design.

“Design is a major based on need-finding, synthesizing ideas, and creating solutions,” Cleaver says. Through her studies, she hopes to develop solutions to real-world challenges, particularly in communities where accessibility and sustainability are crucial.

The Ethnic Scholarship, a $1,000 award, is making this dream more achievable. As a first-generation college student and an African American woman pursuing higher education, Cleaver understands the significance of this opportunity.

“Going to college is essential for me because it provides more options for the future,” she says. “African American women haven’t always had the choice of getting an education. Now that I have that opportunity, I must take advantage of it.”

Cleaver’s home church, which feeds 300 households weekly through its food pantry and offers free laundry services and clothing, has played a key role in shaping her values. The congregation’s partnership with a predominantly white church to improve race relations in Kansas City further influenced her dedication to community.

At Stanford, Cleaver is involved in the Black Student Union and works on MINT Magazine, which highlights diverse voices. With a 3.5 GPA and a passion for learning, Alayna is on track to succeed academically and to make an impact in her community and field. The GBHEM Ethnic Scholarship is helping her take the next step toward a future that blends education, service and innovation.

GBHEM Scholarship Program

GBHEM Scholarships offer financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, an average of $4 million is awarded to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education. With this financial aid, GBHEM is opening pathways for students of all backgrounds to earn their degrees and serve as the next generation of leaders for the church and the world. Learn more.