lapw

Scholarship Award Winner

monica klimek

Monica Klimek

Scholarship: Member Scholarship

Amount Received: $1000

Year Received: 2016

High School: Graduated from Osakis Public School in 1993

How did the scholarship benefit you?

I chose to attend Metropolitan State University - St. Paul Campus in the College of Individualized Studies, with a focus on Leadership in Business and Operations. I am extremely proud to have graduated Summa Cum Laude in April 2019, and was named a finalist for top outstanding student.
Going back to college, while also working full time, and having the duties of a wife and mother on top of it wasn’t an easy decision.
Finding the time wasn’t the only tricky part of the equation, it was also the financial aspect. The scholarship provided by LAPW was extremely beneficial in helping me continue my education. Books are expensive! As an adult learner, it feels somewhat awkward to apply for a scholarship, even if it is needed. Knowing one of the goals of LAPW is to help women in their personal and professional life, this scholarship made it easy to apply for. I was humbled and honored to receive the scholarship. It made continuing classes feasible and made me try even harder.

What are you doing now?

I am currently working at National Joint Powers in Staples. NJPA is a public service cooperative that provides solutions in cooperative purchasing. NJPA’s ultimate mission is to re-invest back to the community with innovative solutions and services in areas of education, technology and many others.
One of the things that my additional education, my board involvement, and also LAPW has taught me is that it is important to give back and use your education to improve the lives of those around you. The values of the organization I am employed at and LAPW so tightly align with my own, it is like it was meant to be.