Scholarship to Success - Robert Khalid Watkins Story
Graduation was nearing, but in between wrapping up a full course load of classes, working a couple of jobs, building a business and raising his infant, Robert Khalid Watkins ('11 Marketing) hadn't had a chance to pause and reflect on the achievement. That is until he received the call that he was a Marketing Department scholarship awardee.
"It was only $250, but honestly it was huge for me - it was the icing on the cake and incredible recognition for all the hard work I was putting in."
This just goes to show that even the most minimal scholarship can make a difference. Since the 2008-2009 school year, more than 550 scholarships have been awarded in various amounts to Jack H. Brown College students.
Robert, who now successfully leads a real estate team called The Watkins Group – Intero Real Estate Services in Rancho Cucamonga, says attending the scholarship night awards with his family was a proud moment.
"School is difficult, especially if you're a returning student like I was at age 28 at the time of graduation," Robert said. "I wasn't making much and child care costs were a challenge. But that night, we all got a chance to celebrate."
Now as an alumni, Robert says he wants to give back any way he can.