Scholars in the News
Reshma Tharani, 21, is part of a new breed of community college student
Deeneaus D. Polk
“My goal in life is to offer my help and guidance to individuals who are powerless. My entire life has been spent as a student with them.”
- Program: 2008 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Hometown: Pascagoula, MS
- Community College: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Four-year College or University: University of Mississippi
- Academic/Career Pursuits: International Studies, International Law, Diplomatic Service
Biography
PROFILE: Deeneaus (Dee) Polk was the first person in his family to attend college. Although he was placed in a special education class in his first year of elementary school, he worked hard and was moved to a regular class just a year later. He dreamed of attending an Ivy League school, but realized his family would suffer if he were not there to support them. Deeneaus enrolled at his local community college and devoted himself to both academic and community endeavors – to “mold myself as a leader.”
At the same time, Dee worked as a janitor to help his family and make sure his brother and sister remained on track to graduate from high school. Eventually, he rose to the level of assistant supervisor. The job taught him many life lessons. “I think of the cleaning cart as my vehicle to success, the broom as the device that sweeps away all problems and distractions, and the mop as the final tool that allows me to apply the sparkle to my finished work.”
Dee excelled academically and as a community and student leader. He was awarded a prestigious fellowship with the International Institute for Public Polity, but turned it down so that he could serve Phi Theta Kappa as its International Officer, an office for which he campaigned. He is now ready to “ascend to the next level in my academic journey.”
INSPIRATION: Dee spent his junior year of high school abroad on the Congress-Bundestag scholarship and found the experience transformational: “My choice of international law stems from my views and observations of the socio-economic climate of minorities in Europe.”
ASPIRATION: Dee’s ultimate goal is to become an ambassador in Europe.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Deeneaus has led many different volunteer teams since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He is an officer of Phi Beta Kappa, served as an ambassador for his college campus, and helped charter the RotorAct chapter at his college.
ACCOLADES: Dee was elected International Vice President of Phi Beta Kappa and is a member of the All-Mississippi Academic Team. He was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award and received Coca-Cola’s Scholarship for community college students who have contributed to community service and academics.
INTERESTING FACT: Dee enjoys choral singing and spirituals.
Other Scholars Like Deeneaus
Daniela Martinez
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Johns Hopkins University
Samantha Bellach
College Scholar
Wellesley College
Farhan Merali
Graduate Scholar
Harvard University
Molly Christian
College Scholar
Barnard College