Meet the 2026 Cornerstone NextGen Scholarship Winners
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Katarina Tasich
Rochester Christian University | Information Systems
Kata sees cybersecurity as an important issue in her community and hopes to use her education to help protect others from online threats. She plans to build her knowledge of cybersecurity and technology so she can help people better protect themselves from phishing, malware, and other cyber threats.
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Benjamin Daniels
Alma College | Finance
Benjamin is concerned about the growing affordability challenges facing people who want to purchase a home. He hopes his education in financial economics will help him better understand the housing market, identify trends and opportunities, and guide others toward making informed financial decisions. Benjamin hopes to use his degree in finance to help people in his community afford the home of their dreams.
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Mackenzee Childress
Oakland University | Marketing
As a small business owner herself, Mackenzee understands the importance of financial management. She has seen local businesses struggle because owners do not have the financial knowledge, resources, or support they need to succeed. Through her marketing education and business coursework, Mackenzee hopes to strengthen her own financial decision-making skills while creating a positive impact for businesses in her community.
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Rachel Veits
University of Michigan - Flint | Physical Therapy
Rachel wants to help create better experiences for people receiving physical therapy. After seeing how past negative experiences can cause patients to avoid care, Rachel hopes to build trust with her future patients and create a supportive environment that encourages them to take an active role in their recovery. Her experience working as a PT tech has shown her the difference that encouragement and support can make during rehabilitation.
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Shauna Veits
University of Michigan - Flint | Physical Therapy
Shauna is passionate about helping people overcome physical injuries, chronic pain, and limited mobility. Through her studies in physical therapy, she hopes to help people of all ages restore their mobility, maintain their independence, and return to the activities they enjoy. Whether helping an athlete return to their sport or helping someone move comfortably in their everyday life, Shauna hopes her career will improve the quality of life for people in her community.
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Paityn Henderson
Howard University | Architectural Engineering
For Paityn, creating inclusive spaces starts with making people feel seen and represented. After experiencing environments where she felt isolated and misunderstood, Paityn found a sense of belonging at the Detroit School of Arts, where creativity and individuality were celebrated. She hopes to use her education in architecture and design to create community spaces, museums, and creative centers that reflect the people and cultures around them.
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Evan Huang
Oakland University | Nursing
Evan has seen firsthand the growing need for healthcare workers through his clinical experiences. He hopes to earn his BSN through Oakland University’s direct admit nursing program and become a compassionate healthcare professional who provides personalized care to an aging population. Through his future career, Evan wants to help address the shortage of healthcare workers while ensuring patients are treated with respect.
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Makiya Sparrow
Ohio University | Criminal Justice
Makiya wants to decrease the amount of gun violence in Toledo. Through her studies in criminal justice, she hopes to better understand the causes of gun violence and explore ways to prevent it before it happens. Makiya is interested in exploring community-based programs, policing strategies, and expanded mental health resources as potential tools for creating safer communities.
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Isabella O’Connor
Ohio State University | Sociology
Isabella is passionate about balancing community wellbeing with economic and business growth. She has become involved in raising awareness about the potential environmental and community impacts of data centers in her area through her work with Partners for Clean Streams and the Citizens Climate Lobby. As she pursues her education at Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Isabella hopes to turn her grassroots advocacy into meaningful policy change.
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Andrew Khoury
Michigan State University | Computer Science
Andrew wants to help protect local small businesses and nonprofits from the growing threat of cyberattacks. He recognizes that many smaller organizations do not have the resources to maintain a full-time IT security team, leaving them vulnerable to attacks that can disrupt operations and put sensitive information at risk. Through his studies in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, Andrew hopes to develop affordable, easy-to-use security tools that can help protect these organizations.
Supporting the Next Generation
Congratulations to all ten of our 2026 NextGen Scholarship winners! We’re proud to support these students as they pursue their education and work towards making a difference in their communities. Their goals, experiences, and passion remind us that investing in the next generation means helping build stronger communities for years to come.
We can’t wait to see all that they accomplish!
