2025 Young Adult Scholarship Recipients: Where Are They Now?
An Interview with the 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Each year, the Achieve Credit Union Young Adult Scholarship is designed to do one simple but powerful thing: remove financial pressure so students can focus on learning, growing, and preparing for their future.
One year after awarding four $1,000 scholarships in 2025, we caught up with the recipients to see how their education, career goals, and confidence have evolved. Their stories show exactly why credit union scholarships matter, and how small investments can create lasting impact.
(l-r) Kevin Doubler, Jillian George, Drew DeFranco, Maddie Fada
Q: How has your Young Adult Scholarship helped with your education?
Kevin Doubler: "The Achieve Young Adult Scholarship has made a difference in my education by easing the financial pressure of college and letting me focus more fully on learning. Because of this support, I have been able to spend more time on my coursework and get involved in hands-on projects such as the Purdue Space Program without constantly worrying about expenses. Knowing that others believe in my goals has also motivated me to work harder and make the most of my education.”
Jillian George: "Receiving the Young Adult Scholarship has allowed me to shift my focus from finances to academic excellence. This scholarship has reduced the excessive number of hours I must work to fund my education. Instead, I have been able to focus on coursework, campus involvement, and applying for internships. With the help of this scholarship, I have been able to maintain a 4.0 cumulative GPA, while holding multiple leadership roles within student organizations on campus, and landing various internships.”
Drew DiFranco: "The Young Adult Scholarship eased a lot of financial stress and allowed me to focus more on my classes and campus involvement. That support gave me stability during a busy year and helped me stay fully committed to my academic and leadership goals.”
Maddie Fada: "My Young Adult Scholarship has helped me by reducing the financial stress of paying for college, which allows me to focus more on my classes and my future career. Because of this support, I’ve been able to stay involved in my education and put more time into my coursework instead of worrying as much about costs. The scholarship has also motivated me to work hard and continue pursuing my goal of working with children with special needs, knowing that others believe in my potential.”
Kevin Doubler, Enrolled at Purdue University
Q: What made you choose your current degree?
Kevin: "I chose my degree because I enjoy solving technical problems and understanding how complex systems work. Aerospace engineering stood out to me because it combines math, physics, and real-world applications in a way that feels challenging but meaningful. I’ve always been interested in aviation and space, so this field felt like a natural fit. It also pushes me to think critically and apply what I learn instead of memorizing information. I like that the work is both analytical and hands-on.”
Jillian: “Fall semester, I took a class in Integrated Operations and Supply Chain Management. I was fascinated by the various components that contribute to the journey of a product before it reaches the consumer's hands. Before taking this class, I was not even aware of what supply chain management was. Because of this class, I ended up changing my post-graduation career goal to Global Sourcing. My majors in Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Business Analytics & Intelligence serve as the essential foundation of this goal. Studying Supply Chain Management provides me with the knowledge of how to manage the movement of physical goods, supplier relationships, and logistics. Majoring in Finance will further my understanding of managing financial risks and costs, as well as the complexity of international tax structures. My Business Analytics and Intelligence major will provide me with the skills for precise demand forecasting and detailed business analysis, both of which are essential in resilient sourcing.”
Drew: "I chose Management Information Systems because it’s a diverse and dynamic field that opens doors in almost every industry. I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of technology, problem‑solving, and business strategy, and MIS gives me the chance to build skills in all three. I added a double major in Marketing because I enjoy understanding people and how they make decisions, and I want to pair technical knowledge with strong communication and analytical abilities. Together, these majors give me a versatile foundation and prepare me for a wide range of career opportunities.”
Maddie: "I chose my current degree because I have always been passionate about helping children and making a difference in their lives. Through my experiences in school and working with diverse learners, I realized I wanted a career where I could support students with special needs and help them succeed. My degree in Intervention Specialist and Early Childhood Education allows me to combine my love for teaching with my goal of creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.”
Jillian George, Enrolled at Bowling Green State University
Q: Can you tell us about your favorite college course?
Kevin: "My favorite course right now is linear algebra. It’s different from other math classes because it focuses more on patterns and systems rather than just calculations. I like how it connects to engineering topics like modeling and simulations, and it’s helped me think more logically about how different variables interact. We also use matrices in MATLAB, which makes the material feel very applied and relevant. Seeing how matrix operations translate directly into code has helped everything click. It feels like a class that will actually matter in future engineering courses and internships.”
Jillian: "While I am still settling into my classes for the spring semester, my favorite course last semester was Integrated Operations and Supply Chain Management. I was fascinated by the various components that contribute to the journey of a product before it reaches the consumer’s hands. Before this class, I did not even know what supply chain management was. Because of this class, I ended up switching one of my specializations to supply chain management and am currently looking for a summer internship to gain more experience and apply the skills I have learned.”
Drew: "My favorite course right now is Finance 3000 because I’m learning concepts I can apply directly to my everyday life. It’s helping me understand budgeting, investing, and long‑term financial planning in a way that will benefit my own future finances. I appreciate that what I’m learning has real, practical value beyond the classroom.”
Maddie: "My favorite college course I’m taking right now is Intro to the Profession. This class has been especially meaningful because it introduces me to what it truly means to be an Intervention Specialist. I’ve been able to practice real techniques that I will actually use in the classroom, which makes the learning feel very relevant and hands-on. I also learned in depth about different disability categories and gained a better understanding of how to support students with diverse needs. Overall, this course has helped confirm that becoming an Intervention Specialist is the right path for me.”
Drew DiFranco, Enrolled at Ohio University
Q: What career are you looking forward to pursuing after graduation? Do you have a specific job or company in mind?
Kevin: “After graduation, I’m hoping to work in the aerospace industry, ideally at Lockheed Martin if I have the opportunity. I’m interested in roles related to engineering design or analysis, especially on projects tied to defense or space systems. Lockheed’s work in advanced aerospace technology is something I find really exciting.”
Jillian: "After graduation, I aim to lead global sourcing for a Fortune 500 company. It is intriguing to track the journey of a product across various continents before it reaches the customer's hands. I aspire to use both my academic background and my strategic mindset to transform traditional supply chains into cost-effective, ethical, and resilient streams that drive corporate success on a global scale.”
Drew: "I’m still exploring the specific career path I want to pursue, which is why I’m hoping to secure an internship this summer or next. With my majors in MIS and Marketing, I’m interested in roles that blend technology, data, and strategy, and an internship will help me discover more niche opportunities within those fields. I’m excited to gain hands‑on experience so I can better understand which direction fits my strengths and long‑term goals.”
Maddie: "After graduation, I am looking forward to pursuing a career as an Intervention Specialist working with young children. I am especially interested in working in an inclusive school setting where I can support students with special needs alongside their peers. While I don’t have a specific school or district in mind yet, my goal is to work in a diverse and supportive environment where I can make a positive impact on students and their families.”
Maddie Fada, Enrolled at Bowling Green State University
Q: What advice would you give a high school student who wants to pursue a college major similar to yours?
Kevin: "I would tell them to focus on building a strong foundation in math and physics and not get discouraged when the material gets difficult. Engineering is challenging for everyone, and struggling is part of learning. Getting involved in hands-on projects or engineering clubs early can also help you figure out what you enjoy and build confidence. Time management is also really important once you get to college. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help, because collaboration is a big part of engineering.”
Jillian: "I would tell a high school student looking to pursue a business major that it is never too early to start building a professional network and resume. While most people wait until college to get started, you can set yourself apart now by starting a LinkedIn profile, making meaningful connections, and/or searching for early internships. Starting early opens more opportunities for you in the future, giving you a significant head start.”
Drew: "I would tell them that understanding technology and how systems work is one of the most important skills in any business field. That’s what makes MIS such a valuable major — it teaches you how organizations operate behind the scenes and how to use technology to solve real problems. Adding Marketing helps you become a stronger communicator and a more well‑rounded professional. Together, these majors give you both the technical foundation and the people‑focused skills that employers look for.”
Maddie: "My advice to a high school student interested in a similar major is to really take the time to discover your passion and understand the deeper reason why you want to be a teacher. Knowing your purpose will help guide you and keep you motivated, even when challenges come up. I also suggest gaining experience early, like volunteering or working with children, so you can see what teaching is really like. When you truly love what you do, all the hard work becomes meaningful and rewarding.”
Apply for the 2026 Achieve Credit Union Young Adult Scholarship
The 2026 Achieve Credit Union Young Adult Scholarship application is now open.
We’re awarding:
Four $1,000 scholarships
Open to graduating high school seniors and full-time students enrolled at any post-secondary institution
Application deadline: February 21
If you’re looking for scholarships for college students in 2026, this is a great place to start.
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About the Author
Nick Hurst
Nick has served as the Marketing & Community Relations Specialist for Achieve Credit Union since 2022. Nick considers credit unions to be valuable resources for local communities. He works to ensure Achieve Credit Union is heavily involved in local events and organizations.
Fun fact: Nick has a lot of side hustles. He is a trivia host in Amherst. He also announces sporting events on the radio.