Simiat

When Simiat first heard about City Colleges of Chicago’s Early College Program as a junior at Dr. Martin Luther King College Prep High School, she knew it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“It was a great way to get a feel for college,” Simiat said. “I was already preparing myself for that path.”

Through the Early College Program, Simiat took courses at Harold Washington, Truman, and Wright Colleges, earning valuable college credit before she even graduated high school. She took several classes, but it was her child psychology course that helped her discover a new passion.

“I really enjoyed my writing and psychology classes,” she shared. “Child psychology was my first-ever psychology course, and now I’m a psychology minor. Those early experiences helped shape the direction I’m going in.”

Thanks to her success in Early College classes, Simiat was prepared to start her college journey at Denison University with several credits already under her belt. Today, she’s a junior at Denison, majoring in chemistry with a minor in psychology. She’s also the recipient of the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. This prestigious two-year national scholarship program provides support to students with a heart for public service. Recipients receive up to $50,000 in funding, a $10,000 stipend for a summer work-travel experience, access to a network of leaders, and support defining their public service journey. Simiat is one of just 100 students across the country selected for the 2025-2027 cohort.

“This scholarship provides me with resources and opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” she explained. “It’s helping me grow as a leader and giving me tools to make real change.”

Simiat is already working to make real change at Dension. She’s involved in multiple organizations including the Denison Medical Association and Agape Christian Foundation, a student leadership group focused on sustainable community projects. She also serves as a Writing Center consultant, helping fellow students strengthen their writing skills. In the future, Simiat hopes to work in public health and epidemiology, using data and research to improve health outcomes for underserved communities.

“I’m passionate about helping children and families who don’t always have access to healthcare,” she said. “I want to learn from leaders around the world who are creating equitable and affordable healthcare systems—and bring those ideas back to help my own community.”

For Simiat, the journey from Early College student to scholar and community leader is proof that access and opportunity can open doors to endless possibilities.