Brionna Powell, a Thompson Foundation Scholarship Recipient, Shares Her “Full Circle Moment”

 

Thousands of students have been impacted by the Thompson Foundation, and every former student who reaches back out to us has a profoundly positive impact on the Thompson Foundation’s ongoing efforts. We recently caught up with Brionna Powell, who attended Bowling Green State University on a Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) scholarship funded by Robert and Ellen Thompson and the Thompson Foundation. The impetus for the chat? Brionna sent Mr. Thompson a thank you note following what she described as, ‘a full circle moment’.

Thompson Foundation: The Thompson’s funding of PLA scholarships is now designated for a select number of University Prep High School students attending Bowling Green State University. Explain your journey as member of the 2009 cohort of the PLA community of scholars.

Brionna: I graduated in 2009 from Cass Technical High School when the Thompson’s PLA scholarship application was open to all high school students from Detroit. I learned about it from my best friend at Cass, who was a year older and attending BGSU as a PLA scholar herself. Through the Thompson PLA scholarship parameters at that time, my tuition, room and board were covered for four years. In my final year of undergrad, I was able to get a fellowship directly through PLA as a fifth-year scholar to cover my last year’s expenses.

Thompson Foundation: What stands out from your PLA experience? Any advice for current Thompson Foundation scholarship recipients?

Brionna: PLA was definitely a community. We connected regularly as a cohort for programs and academic support that prepared us to be empathetic leaders. Being part of PLA not only gave me learning opportunities but a continuing community network – including now lifelong friends. We share a commitment to service and the values of leadership instilled in us through PLA. A bonus is that my younger sister also attended BGSU through the Thompson’s PLA funding, receiving the service and leadership opportunities I had, and tightening our bond as sisters. (Two scholarships! My mom is very grateful to the Thompson Foundation!)

To current scholarship students, I offer two main takeaways based on my experience. The first is to trust the cohort process. Persevere through the ups and downs, knowing the result will lead to you being the best version of yourself if you allow the process to develop your character. Don’t give up! Next is to keep the service component going. When you are in a position to do so, reach back to present others with opportunities that were given to you. 

Thompson Foundation: Fast forward to your career after PLA and BGSU. Where did your undergraduate degree take you?

Brionna: After graduating from BGSU, I moved to Miami, Florida, to attend Florida International University, earning a master’s degree in public health, with a specialization in epidemiology, in 2016. I worked as an epidemiologist at a local health department and an infection preventionist at a hospital system in SW Florida prior to returning to Michigan and starting my current position at the Oakland County Health Department in 2020.

As an epidemiologist in a community-focused role, I work to investigate, prevent and control communicable diseases. My responsibilities include community and healthcare provider education and data analysis; plus, I’ve written several peer reviewed articles.

Thompson Foundation: What was your full circle moment?

Brionna: In my role as an epidemiologist, I was invited in February to speak on careers to students at University Prep Science and Math (UPSM)High School who were studying communicable diseases. While I didn’t attend UPSM, I knew of the Thompson Foundation’s role in philanthropically supporting the building and development of the University Prep Schools network. As I said in a note to Mr. Thompson:

“…it was such a full-circle moment to be able to pour into the youth at a school you’ve supported through philanthropy, just as you once poured into me. Your investment in me gave me the opportunity to invest in those students. Even after all these years, I’m deeply grateful. Thank you to you and your wife for the impact you’ve made on my life and so many others. God bless you both.”

The Thompson Foundation: Brionna, we salute you and all of our scholarship recipients who maximize their academic and leadership opportunities to continue a life of service and commitment to community.

About the PLA Scholarship

The Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) at Bowling Green State University is a prestigious four-year program focused on developing leadership skills through a comprehensive curriculum and community service. When the Thompsons and the Thompson Foundation launched a PLA-designated scholarship in 2002 (both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are BGSU grads), it was open to all Detroit graduates and covered tuition, room and board for four years. Beginning with the 2014 cohort, the Thompsons changed their support of the scholarship to be more consistent with the Thompson Working Families Scholarship program, which advocates a ‘skin in the game’ approach from students, families, the university and the Thompson Foundation. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson’s support for the PLA scholarship at BGSU covers tuition, room and board for freshman year, tuition and room for sophomore year and tuition only for junior and senior years. The PLA scholarship from the Thompsons was open to all Detroit graduates until the 2019 cohort, when it was redirected to cover up to 20 students graduating from one of the three high schools in the Detroit-based University Prep Schools network: University Prep Academy, University Prep Science & Math and University Prep Art & Design. The U Prep schools were built and continue to be supported by the Thompson Foundation and Thompson Schools Foundation.