If you could, would you help a stranger change their life? Thankfully, more than 70 generous donors to the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation can answer with a resounding “Yes!” With scholarship dollars in-hand, hundreds of students each year can say someone believed in them enough to support meaningful change. Here are just two of their stories.
Setting an example
Gigi Partee-Jarrett is setting an example for her daughter to prove that dreams can be achieved. She is a first-generation college student who grew up in foster care, came from a one-parent household with seven children and faced many obstacles. She’s out to prove that if you keep pushing, persevering and never stopping, regardless of your age, you will succeed.
The Janesville native attended Blackhawk classes while in high school and earned her certified nursing assistant certificate. That experience stuck with her and made attending Blackhawk now, at age 37, an easy choice.
“I enjoyed the learning environment, so when I decided to go back and further my education in nursing, I knew where I planned on attending,” Partee-Jarrett said.
Partee-Jarrett works as a licensed practical nurse on the Surgical & Pediatric floor at Mercy Hospital in Janesville. She will continue to work there after she earns her registered nurse credentials.
“Blackhawk has helped me in numerous ways. It has allowed me the opportunity to have an internship at a local hospital, helping me get my foot in the door and learning hands-on skills,” she said.
Her hard work is paying off as graduation is getting closer.
“I plan on graduating in fall 2026 or spring 2027 if I stay part-time,” Partee-Jarrett said. “My plan after Blackhawk is to work at Mercy Hospital–hopefully in the labor and delivery department as an RN. I am investigating the bridge program that Blackhawk offers for my BSN. So, I plan on still being a part of the Blackhawk team.”
She is one of four recipients of the Mercyhealth–Making Lives Better–Scholarship, which covers her full tuition, books and fees.
“This scholarship helped me tremendously. With this support, there’s no stopping my educational goals. I feel as if this gave me the opportunity to be a full-time mother, student and employee all in one, without the financial burden of being the sole provider for my daughter,” Partee-Jarrett said. “It helped with my independence, which made me feel like I could succeed–or that I did not have to stop due to financial hardships.”
Mercyhealth established the program to provide full-ride scholarships for four Blackhawk Technical College students each year who are enrolled in certain healthcare-related programs.
Dreaming of ultrasound
Journey Kor, a 20-year-old from Evansville, got married in March 2025. She is a certified nursing assistant who cares for her great-grandmother. She is also a student in Blackhawk’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Vascular Technology program, where she is learning how to use ultrasound tools.
“I wanted to continue my career in healthcare and was drawn to ultrasound after seeing how echocardiograms helped my mom when I was growing up. It showed me how meaningful this field can be. I was also drawn to the hands-on work and opportunity to keep learning throughout my career,” Kor said.
“Scholarship funds have meant so much to me and have truly helped make school possible! They have helped cover expenses, eased a lot of financial stress, and allowed me to focus more on learning instead of worrying so much about costs,” she shared. “Scholarships really help make dreams a reality because they open doors that may feel out of reach otherwise.”
Kor said balancing different responsibilities while continuing to give her education her best effort has been challenging.
“It has taught me hard work, gratitude and perseverance,” she said.
After graduation, Kor plans to look for work at Stoughton Hospital or Beloit Clinic as a sonographer. Once employed, she said she wants to buy a home and hopefully start a family.
“But most importantly, as life goes on, my biggest goal is to do the most I can to help those in need,” she said.
Take a look at scholarship information on the Scholarships webpage