Emily Colton, M.A. student in the Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology program in the Department of Educational Psychology, was selected to receive a Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Award, which will provide $2,000 toward her tuition next year.

For many years, Colton has volunteered to tutor children and adolescents. During her undergraduate career at Middlebury College, she mentored elementary school children, volunteered as a tour guide, and co-instructed a preschool Sunday school class at a church in Minneapolis. As a senior, Colton was became head peer writing tutor at Middlebury, supervising 80 other tutors.

In May 2016, Colton will graduate with a master’s degree and plans to become a school counselor. “I want to build a sense of school community and help students pursue their interests – no matter the gender roles typically associated with them,” she said.

Colton will receive her award in a ceremony at the Town and Country Club in St. Paul on June 16. She was nominated by her advisor, Dr. Marguerite Ohrtman, Director of School Counseling.

The Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Circle, founded in 2002, supports women’s leadership and philanthropy through the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development. Each year, the Circle selects students for educational scholarship awards based on their exemplification of the Circle’s mission.