Christina Pearce has been selected as a 2020 United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Scholarship recipient, an award provided by the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. UNCF distributes more than $100 million in scholarships as well as provides students with internships and fellowships.

For Pearce, a senior at Xavier University of Louisiana graduating in biology, attending Xavier meant breaking generational curses and completing a goal that she and her mother had long dreamed of. This would not have been possible without the help of the UNCF. 

“I was in a really hard place having to decide whether or not I would be able to come back to Xavier for another semester,” said Christina. “This scholarship from UNCF provided me the opportunity to return to Xavier, allowing me to prioritize my studies and getting involved and focus less on funds.”

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Christina knew she wanted to become a dentist in middle school after forming a relationship with her own dentist. She chose to attend Xavier due to its reputation as the nation’s #1 institution for sending the most African American students to complete medical school. Pearce has already been accepted into the Oral Biology Master’s Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Outside of her studies, she has been involved in multiple student organizations serving in several leadership roles throughout her four years, including Treasurer of the Xavier Activities Board, Secretary of the Pre-Dental Club, and Vice President of the Commuter Student Network.

“I believe Xavier has definitely prepared me for the future. I’ve grown so much as a person academically due to forming relationships with my professors and as a leader from the organizations I’ve been involved with. I honestly feel as if I can take on anything,” said Pearce.

A piece of advice Christina leaves future Xavierites is never give up. 

“Over the course of four years, I’ve been through so much which has caused me to figure things out and mature more quickly. A lot of times, students come to Xavier and come across an obstacle they’re unfamiliar with, which makes them want to stop trying. I hope my story can be seen as motivation to endure the storm, because you’re going to face a storm regardless, and serve as a reminder that there’s more to life than the current situation you’re in.”