BS-IHS student wins Alexandra Burgett Endowed Scholarship

Health services faculty with Malaya Myers

In a short ceremony on April 28, Malaya Myers, a junior in the School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs was awarded the Alexandra Burgett Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually, largely based on GPA and an essay.

For much of the last three years, Malaya has worked as a rehabilitation assistant at Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers, supporting clients with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, helping them regain their independence and reintegrate into their communities. 

The scholarship committee noted that Malaya's spirit and commitment to helping mirror that of Alexandra Burgett. Malaya has recently worked with older adults and wishes to continue that work after graduation as an occupational therapist, with a long-term goal of starting her own skilled nursing facilities.

"Working with seniors in such an intimate capacity has enabled me to gain a true appreciation of the unique and inevitable challenges that afflict us all during the aging process," she said. "It has sparked my passion and commitment to dedicating my professional career to serving this population."

The Burgett family with Malaya Myers

The Burgett family was pleased to be on campus to award the scholarship to Malaya.

About the Scholarship

In 2012, Alexandra Burgett was about to graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services, when her life was cut short in an automobile accident with a distracted driver. The Burgett family initiated the Alexandra Burgett Endowed Scholarship in December 2013 to honor and continue Alexandra’s legacy, and to help a BS-IHS undergraduate student in need continue in the program.