A Message from Dr. Sislena Ledbetter, Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Woman with long braids smiling brightly in a purple sweater. Flowers, water and hills appear in a soft focus background.

Watch Sislena's message video (1 minute)

Dear Friends of Western,

Looking back on my own journey as a student, I know without a doubt that scholarships made my education possible. I came to college full of dreams and determination, but without the financial resources to complete my degree on my own. Donors I never met stepped forward to support me, and their generosity changed the course of my life.

Now, in my role as Vice Provost for Student Affairs at Western, I see today’s students facing the same challenges I once did. They come to us academically prepared and eager to learn, but too many are forced to make heartbreaking choices because of financial strain. Some take on multiple jobs that cut into study time. Others delay graduation or drop out entirely.

Western has programs that help meet short-term needs, and these programs are vital; however, what students need most is sustained scholarship support. Scholarships give them the stability to focus on their studies, engage fully in campus life, and graduate ready to make a difference in the world.

This is where you come in. Every donor who contributes to our scholarship funds becomes a partner in a student’s success. Your gift provides more than dollars and cents. It provides hope, encouragement, and the freedom for students to focus on learning instead of worrying about how to meet their expenses for the next quarter.

The size of your gift matters less than the fact that you choose to give. When we come together as a community, every contribution increases the pool of support available for students who need it most.

As someone whose life was changed by the generosity of donors, I can tell you first hand that your gift matters. You may never meet the student whose life you impact, but your support can help ensure that another bright, determined student is able to walk across the graduation stage.

Give to the scholarship funds today

Thank you for making Western a place where every student has the chance to succeed.

With gratitude,

handwritten signature of Sislena Ledbetter. The letters S and T are tall. The r at the end trails out in a swoosh back across the name.

Dr. Sislena Ledbetter
Vice Provost for Student Affairs