MCC Names 2026 Education to Empowerment Scholarship Recipients

Ten McHenry County College (MCC) students recently received the prestigious Education to Empowerment (E2E) award, a scholarship and mentoring opportunity offered through the Friends of MCC Foundation. The scholarship's mission is to empower students to reach their fullest potential and achieve economic independence through education, mentoring, and financial support.

“These students have demonstrated tremendous dedication to their education and their futures,” said Brian DiBona, Executive Director of the Foundation. “We’re honored to support them as they pursue their goals and build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.”

The 2026 recipients are Mary Michaelis and Mackenzie Richards of Cary; Madeline Gallo and Evelyn Mahler of Crystal Lake; Maggie Tschappat of Island Lake; Diellza Sejdini of Lake in the Hills; Hannah Braun, Jacqueline Huff, and Mackenzie Leech of McHenry; and Maggie Sullivan of Richmond.

• Hannah Braun is pursuing a career in sports journalism and creative media, combining her passions for athletics, storytelling, photography, broadcasting, and design.
• Madeline Gallo is studying science with interests in research and healthcare.
• Jacqueline Huff is working toward a career in business management, with an interest in entrepreneurship.
• Mackenzie Leech is pursuing a career in social work, with a focus on supporting individuals with disabilities.
• Evelyn Mahler is interested in a career in museum curation and exhibit design, creating engaging spaces that inspire learning and community connection.
• Mary Michaelis is studying social work with an interest in supporting children’s mental health in a school setting.
• Mackenzie Richards is studying nursing, with particular interests in labor and delivery, neonatal, and pediatric care.
• Diellza Sejdini is interested in criminal law, with the long-term goal of attending law school and opening her own practice.
• Maggie Sullivan is pursuing sustainable design, combining creativity and environmental responsibility to create functional, lasting spaces.
• Maggie Tschappat is working toward a career in animation and character design, developing her artistic and technical skills in digital media.

To qualify for the award, applicants must be full-time students who have achieved a minimum number of MCC credits and earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25. Applicants must also complete several essays outlining their personal goals, their demonstrated commitment to empowering women, barriers they have overcome to pursue their education, and the difference that a mentor could make in their lives.

The Education to Empowerment scholarship began in 2013 with the goal of bringing together 100 members in McHenry County who wanted to make a difference by providing scholarships and mentoring opportunities for MCC students. Each member donates $1,000 each year. To date, the E2E program has awarded $920,000 to 97 students.

“Education to Empowerment is about more than financial assistance—it’s about giving students the encouragement and support they need to keep moving forward,” DiBona said. “Having a mentor in their corner can help students see what’s possible and give them the confidence to pursue it.”

“Our E2E members are investing in the future of these students, their families, and our community,” added Christina Haggerty, Chief Advancement and Marketing Officer at MCC and E2E donor. “Their generosity gives students the opportunity to focus on their education and pursue their goals with greater confidence. That investment creates an impact that reaches far beyond the classroom.”

The E2E scholarship provides $10,000 in funding for each student that can be applied toward tuition, books, and fees for a recipient’s last year at MCC and first year at an accredited four-year institution.

This year’s recipients were honored at a special ceremony on July 30 at Crystal Lake Country Club.

The next E2E event will be a Fall Luncheon held on Thursday, September 24 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Farm Venue in Crystal Lake. The Luncheon is open to the public, and registration will be available soon.

For information about Education to Empowerment or other scholarships, call the Friends of MCC Foundation Office at (815) 479-7510 or visit the website.