The School of Education and Human Services congratulates Ann M. Waite and Niveen M. Rishmawi, our winners of the Maize and Blue Distinguished Scholar Award. The award is the highest academic award students may receive at UM-Flint, and all recipients have achieved high honors.

Ann M. Waite will receive her Bachelor of Social Work degree, with a minor in sociology, and plans to earn her master’s degree from the University of Michigan, majoring in social policy.

While at UM-Flint, Ann served as secretary of the Social Work Club and volunteered with several community projects, such as helping local farmers with a rain barrel project and participating in the Sock Hop fundraiser. She also interned with Metro Community Development assisting clients with resources, as well as with Women’s Educational Center and Take Back the Night.

Although she is uncertain about her future career plans, Ann is interested in international or government work, particularly supporting community development and non-profit organizations in developing countries or working with the homeless community.

“I really want to work in a non-profit as a grants coordinator or researching poverty issues,” she said. After earning her graduate degree, she would like to serve as a volunteer for the Peace Corps.

Niveen M. Rishmawi will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with minors in math and language arts, and will transfer to Central Michigan University to earn an ESL endorsement.

Niveen moved with her parents and siblings to the United States from Palestine when she was in third grade. She is fluent in Arabic and has enjoyed helping elementary-age international students who need assistance in the classroom due to language barriers. She tutored for Genesee Intermediate School District and also volunteered at Whaley Children’s Center.

Niveen recently completed her student teaching in a third grade classroom at Siple Elementary in Davison. “I love it and it’s everything I’ve wanted in student teaching,” she said.

At UM-Flint, she has enjoyed her math classes the most, learning through hands-on manipulatives and collaboration with other students. “I have never learned math before like I did in these classes,” she said. “I took so much from that which I want to put into my own classroom.”

When she enters the teaching profession, she wants to encourage her students to realize that they can become whatever they want to be. “If kids actually believe in themselves, then imagine all the things they’ll be able to accomplish because they believe they can do it,” she said.