On June 30th, we celebrated an incredible milestone—the 20th anniversary of United Way’s Marian L. Heard (MLH) Scholarship Program. This program, founded upon the retirement of a long-time leader of United Way of Massachusetts Bay who pioneered programs in the 90’s like the Success By 6 “Invest in Children” license plate – which still raises funds for early education today – has profoundly impacted countless lives. We recently celebrated two decades of providing scholarships and recognized the visionary behind it all, Marian L. Heard for her lifelong commitment to youth education and leadership. 

Marian L. Heard’s career stood out for her unwavering dedication to community service and youth empowerment. As the former President and CEO of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the United Ways of New England, Marian elevated the organization from 87th to 1st in the country for major gifts, showcasing her extraordinary ability to connect people and resources for a greater cause. Her exceptional leadership earned her the Ansin Leadership Chair, making her the first United Way president in the country to receive an endowed chair. Marian's legacy extends far beyond her professional achievements, having received over 150 local, regional, national, and international awards, and being inducted into the Society of Distinguished Bostonians and the Corporate Directors Hall of Fame. 

Yet Marian’s true passion lies in education and youth leadership. Upon her retirement, she chose to establish a scholarship fund, driven by her belief in the power of education and leadership opportunities for young people. Since its inception, United Way’s Marian L. Heard Scholarship Program has raised $3.4 million, transforming countless lives. 

The true measure of the scholarship program's success lies in the stories of its scholars: 

Carol Kasule, a May 2024 graduate with a degree in Public Health from UMass Lowell, discovered the Marian L. Heard Scholarship through Leap for Education, located in Salem. This scholarship not only eased Carol’s financial burden but also played a pivotal role in shaping her approach to leadership and community service. "This program has been understanding and easy for me to achieve my goals. It pushed me to make a difference in my community. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about leadership and impact," said Kasule.  

Four years ago, Carol could hardly have imagined her current success. Despite facing challenges, including the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carol stayed focused on her goals. “I had some bumps along the way, but I knew what I wanted and kept pushing forward.” 

One of Carol’s favorite aspects of the Marian L. Heard Scholarship was its simplicity. Unlike many scholarships that require annual reapplications, this one only required Carol to submit her grades each semester. “My favorite part about the program was, as a recipient of a four-year scholarship, not having to reapply every year.  It was such a relief and made the process much easier,” Kasule said.  

Mac Shillingford, a senior at the University of Massachusetts Lowell set to complete his degree in civil engineering by December 2024, began his journey with the Marian L. Heard Scholarship thanks to his mother’s advocacy. Maria, who had a long tenure at United Way partner agency Ellis Memorial, played a key role in encouraging his volunteer work at the Boys and Girls Club in Chelsea. Following in his older sister Tatiana’s footsteps as a 2017 MLH scholarship alumna, MAC found support and inspiration from his family.  

Mac Shillingford, 2017 MLH Alum Tatiana Shillingford, and their mom Maria.

Maria, a single mother who earned a degree while working and raising her four children, taught her kids the value of dedication and hard work. “I've always wanted to show them that education is very important and fosters growth. As they watched me juggle school, work, and their sports activities, they saw firsthand the significance of education, and things improved for us along the way,” said Maria. Maria’s support and example inspired her children, including Mac, to pursue higher education with the same determination. Their journeys reflect her influence, with each child embracing the opportunity for a college degree and recognizing its impact on their future.  

Reflecting on the past four years, Mac sees a stark difference between his current college experience and his start in 2020. Transitioning from a student athlete to a full-time student was challenging, especially with a remote first year due to the pandemic. “It was tough not seeing anyone or figuring out how to study effectively,” he recalls. However, moving to campus and receiving scholarship support helped him manage his time and focus on academics. “The scholarship allowed me to concentrate on my academics without the constant worry of finances and taught me time management and resilience," said Shillingford.  

Syeeda Rahman, a recent Suffolk University graduate with a degree in political science, shared her inspiring journey at a luncheon hosted by the Marian L. Heard Scholarship committee. She credits the scholarship for enabling her to pursue her dreams despite the odds. “The Marian L. Heard scholarship made a significant difference, especially as a 2020 graduate when many scholarships were pulling their funding,” said Rahman. 

Syeeda's leadership experience and scholarship support helped her launch a successful career early on. During college, she interned at Archipelago Strategy Group, eventually becoming a community engagement coordinator and later a communication strategist. Her impactful work included campaigns for the Massachusetts governor's office and efforts to improve COVID-19 vaccine access in underserved communities. Now, as she prepares to start her master’s in clinical social work at Boston University, Syeeda remains committed to community engagement and mentorship. "The scholarship changed my life, and it has allowed me to pay it forward. I hope my experience encourages young people to keep pushing and get involved   because you can really make a difference when you are given the chance, if you are not given the chance, make your own opportunity. I know many of you have similar stories and I hope that you'll continue to use your voice and power to advocate for others in the same position,” said Rahman. 

Marian L. Heard, addressing the scholars, encapsulated her philosophy beautifully: "I want you to be a lifelong learner. I want you to read, to grow, to learn, to be happy and proud of yourself. Life is tough, but no matter what happens your knowledge stays with you. So don't take learning lightly, be a lifelong learner and be grateful, help others because somewhere along the line somebody helped you." Her words resonate deeply, emphasizing not just the importance of education but the responsibility that comes with it—to give back and to be grateful.  

The scholarship program continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication of its supporters and the resilience of its scholars.  

As we celebrate 20 years of the Marian L. Heard Scholarship Program, we look forward to the next generation of leaders who will carry forward this legacy. We encourage new scholars to become mentors, guide others on their educational journeys, and perpetuate the cycle of support and leadership. 

Thank you, Marian L. Heard, for your vision, dedication, and unwavering belief in the power of education. Your legacy will continue to inspire and transform lives for generations to come.