Michael Black builds connections through MBSP during a unique first year at KU
The marketing major looks forward to building relationships with his peers and program staff in person.
Beginning college during a global health pandemic was the last thing Michael Black, first-year MBSP scholar, had expected a year and a half ago. Two weeks after enrolling in traditional, in-person courses, his schedule transitioned almost entirely online.
Michael is first-generation college student, the first person in his family to ever pursue a bachelor’s degree. As a high school senior, Michael worked hard to try to pay for his undergraduate degree entirely through scholarships. One such scholarship is the Koch Opportunity Scholarship, an annually renewable scholarship intended to support under-represented and first-generation college students. Koch Opportunity Scholars are also directly admitted to MBSP. With this scholarship, among others, he was able to ensure his undergraduate degree was fully paid for.
Michael is now a year into his college career, but he still looks forward to the moment when everything will be back to normal. He is eager to meet his peer scholars and program staff in person.
“I get my energy from people, so I am looking forward to that whenever we can,” Black explained. “When we go back in person, it will be another new experience. It will feel like I am a freshman again.”
Although he looks forward to in-person experiences, he has already developed meaningful connections even in the virtual environment and speaks highly of Director Steven Johnson Jr.
“He is really just a caring person and is there to support me,” Black said. “If I am in need of positivity, I go to him.”
He also has developed a close relationship with another MBSP scholar who serves as his peer mentor — he and MBSP junior scholar, Azhai Williams, meet on a weekly basis. This year was especially crucial for him to have a mentor who is dedicated to his success and well being. Having had such a positive experience with Williams, Black is determined to be a mentor himself as he matriculates through his academic career.
He has declared a marketing major and plans to complete an entrepreneurship minor and the Professional Selling certificate.
