The Licensing International Foundation’s mission focuses on the next generation of licensing leaders, awarding students from around the world who are interested in a career in brand licensing at all stages of their educational journey.

What was your reaction when you first found out you had received a Licensing International Foundation Scholarship?
My reaction when I found out I received the scholarship was shock. That same morning, I received a call from my mother telling me my grandfather passed away. It was a really hard time on the family, but [receiving the scholarship] was a great moment on an otherwise terrible day. Once the shock wore off a couple days later, I was just unbelievably excited and grateful for the opportunity it was about to give me.

What did receiving this scholarship mean to you?
It meant that I could continue my education without any more student loans for my final year, because I am fully funding my way through college. I set out my first year to graduate in three years to lower my student debt and with hard work I will be making this possible in May 2025. It has been a challenge but worth it. This scholarship was a milestone in my goal to have minimal student loans when I graduate.

How has the Scholarship Program helped jumpstart or further your career?
This scholarship has connected me with some amazing people and given me great networking opportunities. Everyone from Licensing International has been so excited to connect me to potential mentors and invited me to amazing events.

Did this scholarship make you rethink your career goals?
While working on this scholarship I realized how much licensing goes into the cannabis industry. From packaging, retail, and everything in between, it is an integral part of the business. This scholarship made me think of a potential pathway into licensing in my field that I did not think was possible before.

How have you grown professionally and personally from this experience?
I have grown by learning that hard work pays off. Ever since I was 14, I had a good work ethic—I did not make much money at my first few jobs but having money I worked for was so rewarding. In this experience I worked hard on everything from the essay to the application to the interview. Editing, rewriting, and prepping for the one-on-one call was all hard work that I put in on top of school and work. But that hard work paid off and this scholarship and these connections proved to me my work ethic can go far beyond what I thought at 14.

What advice would you give to current college students who are thinking of applying to the 2025 Scholarship Program?
Focus on a topic that interests you. If you pick something you are passionate about, the essay writes itself. What I learned through research before starting is that licensing exists in every industry. It goes far beyond what you may have thought in the past.

Looking ahead, what are your next steps or aspirations?
Graduating is my next big step. My focus is on school and my internship now. Professionally, I hope to get a full-time job in the cannabis industry two months out of graduating.

As part of our mission to inspire the next generation of talent globally while advancing the understanding of licensing in society, Licensing International’s Scholarship Program grants scholarships to deserving individuals around the world who are interested in a career in brand licensing. Scholarships are available for students at all stages of their educational journey seeking degrees in business, marketing, design, engineering, entrepreneurial studies, e-commerce, and other brand licensing industry-related programs, and will be made directly to the institution to cover educational expenses.  Support the next generation of brand licensing professionals with a donation to the Licensing International Scholarship Fund. Even the smallest donation can make an impact in our community.