With two younger sisters also in college, mathematical sciences major Karina Provost knows how much her parents appreciate scholarships.听
鈥淓very time one of us gets a scholarship, we text our parents to let them know,鈥� says Provost, who was happy to tell them that she received the Kennedy Family Merit Scholarship heading into her senior year at UML.听
鈥淢y parents are both schoolteachers, so there鈥檚 only so much they can do,鈥� says Provost, a native of Dudley, Massachusetts, who has also received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and a Dean鈥檚 Scholarship from the Kennedy College of Sciences.听
鈥淪cholarships have been really helpful. They let me focus more on school,鈥� she says.听
Provost chose 51视频 with finances in mind (鈥淏eing a state school, it was good money-wise鈥�) 鈥� and for its size.听
鈥淚 liked it because it鈥檚 in a city, but it鈥檚 not big like Boston,鈥� she says. 鈥淏eing from a small town, I felt like this was just outside my comfort zone. And I was right.鈥澛�
Provost has also worked throughout college to help pay her way. She is a grader for the Math Department and during the COVID-19 pandemic she picked up a remote job as a data processor for the Office of Research Administration.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 not super mathy 鈥� it鈥檚 more of an analyst thing. But it鈥檚 interesting and I鈥檓 learning a lot,鈥� says Provost, who works eight hours a week from the comfort of her dorm room.听
As a sophomore, Provost landed a work-study job with the Jumpstart Early Education Program through the School of Education. Twice a week, she would visit a preschool in Lowell and read to children.听
鈥淚 love working with kids,鈥� says Provost, who babysits 鈥渁 lot鈥� when she is back home. 鈥淛umpstart was a good break for me. I got to explore Lowell a little, and for a couple of hours, I didn鈥檛 have to think about my big math classes.鈥澛�
Given her love for working with kids, Provost can see herself following in her parents鈥� footsteps and becoming a teacher.听
鈥淚 could probably do that, but I want to explore what else is out there,鈥� says Provost, who is leaning toward work that involves statistics. 鈥淪tatistics are thrown around so often on the news, so it鈥檚 cool to understand where that鈥檚 coming from.鈥澛�
She also served as president of the UML chapter of , a national nonprofit organization that supports mental health awareness and education for young adults.
鈥淐ollege in general can be stressful 鈥� finding time to do everything and having to worry about money,鈥� says Provost, who is grateful for the scholarships that have lightened her financial load.听
鈥淓very little bit helps,鈥� she says.