April 27, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to write a letter on behalf of the University of Michigan National Society of Collegiate Scholars. This organization is a stalwart of academic and philanthropic excellence on campus and I strongly recommend their consideration for Platinum status. This recommendation stems from my interaction with members as well as the numerous activities they have organized and/or attended in the 2017/2018 school year. These activities include food drives, holiday donations to local families, and work with retirement centers.

However, the two activities I would like to highlight go beyond singular events, but rather a recurring passion for the students. The first is PACE – a tutoring and mentoring program established with a local middle school. NSCS members form and nurture unique bonds with these students and even bring them to campus to spend the day. This visit includes highlighting the many resources available to students – reinforcing the fact that every student at UM needs support at some point during college. This leads to the second activity I would like to draw attention to. The UM NSCS chapter has made it a point to address the mental health challenges students face and work hard to normalize what used to be (but unfortunately is still occasionally) considered a stigma. Part of this work has included partnering with Active Minds, a nonprofit organization that raises mental health awareness.

The students in this chapter have shown that you can balance academics and outreach. They have shown that students can have fun, face challenges, occasionally fail, and still thrive. For these reasons I hope you will give their application the utmost consideration.

Sincerely, 

Colleen van Lent

Colleen van Lent, PhDLecturer IV,University of Michigan School of Information