UF Graduate Receives “Jane M. Klausman Woman in Business Scholarship”

Simone Green, ’23 was awarded the Jane M. Klausman Woman in Business Scholarship by Zonta Club of Findlay. Zonta is a global service organization of members working together to empower women through service and advocacy. The $500 scholarship is intended to help women like Green pursue degrees in business management to overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom.

Green graduated from the University of Findlay in May with two undergraduate degrees, one in business administration with a marketing emphasis, and another in psychology. Green now plans to pursue a master’s degree. “In my essay, I shared about my future plans to continue to work at my alma mater, Central Catholic High School, in hopes of creating a youth success mentor position,” Green said. She also wrote about her involvement as UF’s Black Student Union president for two years, her internship with Raise the Bar^® Hancock County, and on being a woman of color pursuing a career in business.

“The scholarship was recommended to me by my business professor, Dr. Chris Ward,” said Green, who added that the support she received at UF was amazing. “Professors and other staff members truly want to get to know you, your family, and your dreams. I’ve been blessed to connect with so many people who genuinely have my best interest at heart.” Green thanked Dr. Megan Adams and Dr. Kirby Overton for their letters of recommendation; her former coach, Bree Makepeace for spending countless hours to help her succeed on the track; and Alex Davis, for serving as the Black Student Union advisor. “I could go on and on, but the connections you make at Findlay definitely set you up for success if you allow them to,” she said.

Green will attend the University of Central Missouri in the fall and will pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Communication. During the summer, she is working at Central Catholic High School as a summer success teacher. She says she enjoys having conversations with her students about their dreams and learning their strengths and fears. When asked what she thought about being an inspiration and a role model for her students, she said “People see the end results, the spotlight moments, and the highest of the highs. Sometimes I think it’s the lows and the struggles that help build up to those dream moments and allow the kids to realize their dreams are truly plausible.”