Dear Donors of the Catherine and Kenneth T. Gill Memorial Scholarship,

It is with honor that I receive the 2025 Catherine and Kenneth T. Gill Memorial Scholarship.

As we know, being a student requires a lot of resources to get the most out of an educational experience. This scholarship would help me maximize resources and opportunities to enhance my learning and professional development.

Catherine and Kenneth T. Gill’s legacy and their dedication to contribute to the lives of those living with serious mental illness deeply resonates with my mission. My goal is to utilize my knowledge and  field expertise to serve vulnerable individuals with serious mental illness who are either overlooked or underserved in some capacity.

As an immigrant, I take great pride in bringing a multicultural perspective and embracing diversity, where mental wellness is for all. This means that individuals of various cultural or ethnic backgrounds deserve to have services available that honor their identity, values, and needs.

Research and networking are two of the most important tools that will help me achieve my goals, and this program at Rutgers University provides me with numerous opportunities to utilize both. I operate on two core beliefs to reach my goals: “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World” and “You Might Not Be Able to Change the World, but You Can Change Someone’s World”. What those two quotes have in common is the emphasis on personal contribution, leadership, and the courage to step into a role of influencing others in a meaningful way. This program has opened doors for me to practice these very beliefs by equipping me with research skills, professional connections, and leadership roles.

I am inspired by Dr. Gill’s achievements as a pioneer in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation, and I hope to build upon his work for many years to come. I am honored to be a part of their lasting impact through this scholarship, serving as a meaningful recognition of my hard work and dedication.

Once again, thank you for your invaluable support and for believing in my capabilities. I promise to make the most of this opportunity by working hard and striving for my greatest potential.

Sincerely,
Noga Darwish

Hello, my name is Noga Darwish. I am a third-year doctoral student in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Research track at Rutgers School of Health Professions. I also serve as a Representative-at-Large with the Student Government Association and as a Crisis Intervention Specialist with Lines for Life and the suicide prevention lifelines.

I am passionate about promoting mental wellness for all people and advocating for a psychiatric rehabilitation-oriented approach to mental health care and crisis intervention. I am truly honored to receive the Catherine and Kenneth T. Gill Memorial Scholarship, which affirms my dedication and supports my professional goals and endeavors.