That support didn’t just open the door. It changed what Isaiah believed was possible.

Because of scholarships, Isaiah is able to balance school and work in a way that allows him to focus on learning. During the academic year, he works part time; in the summer, he takes on full-time work to stay on track. That balance has given him the stability to fully engage in campus life — and to give back.

As a student peer tutor for pre-calculus and calculus courses, Isaiah helps fellow students work through material that once challenged him. Watching a concept click for someone else, he says, is powerful. The moment a student realizes, “Oh, I get it now,” boosts their confidence — and his, too. Teaching reinforced something Isaiah hadn’t always felt before: I know what I’m doing. I belong here.

That sense of belonging extends far beyond the classroom. At CSU, Isaiah has built friendships, gained confidence, and experienced opportunities he never imagined when he first started college. He credits the university — and the donors who make scholarship support possible — for shaping not just his education, but his belief in himself.

Without CSU, Isaiah says, he wouldn’t be the person he is today. With it, he’s thriving — academically, personally, and with the confidence to help others do the same.