My personal experiences as a first-generation immigrant and first-generation college student have strongly shaped my sense of purpose. Moving between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and the United States exposed me to very different cultures and educational systems. Each transition required me to adapt quickly and learn how to navigate unfamiliar environments without the guidance of family members who had gone through college. Because I am the first in my family to attend college, I had to figure out many parts of the process on my own, including applications, financial planning, and academic expectations. While this was challenging, it taught me independence, resilience, and the importance of persistence. I learned how to seek help, stay organized, and keep pushing forward even when things were unclear or difficult. These experiences have shaped my purpose in life. They have made me intentional about using my education to create meaningful impact. I am currently an Interior Design major with a minor in Entrepreneurship because I am passionate about how environments affect people’s emotions, behavior, and well-being. Having experienced different types of spaces across countries, I understand how much a well-designed environment can support or negatively affect a person’s daily life. My goal is to use my education to design spaces that are functional, inclusive, and supportive of people’s needs. I want to create environments where people feel comfortable, valued, and understood. Additionally, my entrepreneurship minor helps me think about how I can make these ideas more accessible and impactful in real communities.

I am an Interior Design major with a minor in Entrepreneurship, and I plan to use my unique combination of skills to help build a more empathetic and understanding global community. My background, which includes living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and the United States, has given me the ability to observe and understand people from different cultural perspectives. These experiences have shaped the way I see the world and have taught me that environments play a major role in how people feel, interact, and connect with one another. Through interior design, I want to create spaces that prioritize people first. I believe empathy can be expressed through design by being intentional about how a space makes someone feel. Elements such as lighting, layout, texture, and color all influence emotional and psychological experiences. A well-designed space can make people feel safe, welcomed, and understood, while a poorly designed one can create discomfort or isolation. Because of this, I see design as a powerful tool for promoting emotional well-being and human connection. My overall goal is to design environments that are not only functional and visually appealing, but also inclusive and thoughtful of diverse needs. Whether it is a home, school, workplace, or community space, I want my work to encourage comfort, communication, and respect among the people who use it. I believe that when individuals feel supported by their surroundings, they are more likely to extend that same understanding to others. My minor in entrepreneurship also plays an important role in how I approach this goal. In that it teaches me how to turn ideas into actionable solutions and how to think strategically about impact. With this knowledge, I hope to make meaningful design more accessible to communities that may not typically have access to high quality spaces. I am interested in finding ways to combine creativity and business thinking to create solutions that serve real human needs. Ultimately, I want to use my skills to bridge gaps between people through design. I hope to contribute to a global community where spaces reflect empathy, cultural awareness, and inclusion. By creating environments that honor different experiences and backgrounds, because I believe I can help foster greater understanding, connection, and respect among individuals. And through my work, I aim to show that thoughtful design can positively shape not only spaces, but also the relationships and communities that exist within them.

My immigrant experience has had a significant impact on my ability to attain my educational goals by shaping both my mindset and my determination to succeed. Having moved between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and the United States, I have been exposed to different cultures, educational systems, and ways of learning. Each transition came with its own set of challenges, but it also helped me grow in resilience, adaptability, and independence. Adjusting to new environments often meant starting over in unfamiliar academic settings. I had to learn how to understand different teaching styles, expectations, and communication methods while also adjusting socially. In some cases, language differences and cultural shifts made it harder to fully express myself or immediately feel confident in the classroom. However, instead of discouraging me, these experiences pushed me to work harder and become more intentional about my education. I learned how to observe, ask questions, and seek help when needed, even when it felt uncomfortable. Over time, I developed a strong sense of self-reliance. I became more disciplined with my studies because I understood that success would require extra effort on my part. My immigrant experience taught me that progress is not always immediate, but consistency and persistence make a difference. These lessons have played a major role in helping me stay focused on my educational goals despite challenges. In addition, my background has given me a deep appreciation for education itself. I have seen how access to learning opportunities can vary greatly depending on where a person lives. This has made me more intentional about taking advantage of the opportunities I currently have. I do not take education for granted, and this mindset continues to motivate me to do my best academically and personally. My experiences have also influenced my career path. They have shaped the way I see spaces and people, which is part of what led me to pursue interior design with a minor in entrepreneurship. I am interested in how environments affect human behavior and well-being, and I want to use my education to create spaces that are more thoughtful, inclusive, and supportive of people’s needs. Overall, my immigrant experience has strengthened my ability to pursue my educational goals by building my resilience, shaping my perspective, and giving me a strong sense of purpose. It has taught me to remain focused, adaptable, and grateful, even when faced with challenges, and continues to motivate me as I work toward my future and give back to my community.

I am an Interior Design major with a minor in Entrepreneurship. My interest in interior design is deeply rooted in people and how the spaces around them shape their experiences, emotions, and overall well-being. I have always been observant of environments and how they make me feel, but living in multiple countries throughout my life has strengthened this awareness even more. Experiencing different cultures and types of spaces has taught me to recognize the difference between environments that support people and those that do not. To me, a good space is one that adds value to the individual. It supports their daily routines, promotes comfort, and encourages productivity, peace, or creativity depending on its purpose. A bad space, on the other hand, is one that feels draining, overwhelming, or disconnected from the needs of the people using it. Over time, I have come to understand that these differences are not accidental, but the result of intentional or unintentional design choices such as layout, lighting, materials, and spatial flow. This realization is what led me to interior design. I believe design has the power to directly influence how people live, feel, and interact with their surroundings on a daily basis. Because of this, I see interior design as more than just aesthetics or decoration—it is a tool that can improve quality of life and shape human behavior in meaningful ways. I also believe that this responsibility makes it important to have thoughtful and intentional designers who are aware of the impact their work can have beyond appearance. In addition to design, my minor in entrepreneurship has helped me understand how ideas can be developed, structured, and turned into action. It has shown me how creativity and strategy can work together to create real-world impact, especially when it comes to solving problems and identifying opportunities within communities. My goal is to use my education and skills to create spaces that are functional, intentional, and supportive of the people who use them. I want my work to contribute to environments where people feel seen, comfortable, and uplifted in their everyday lives. In the long term, I hope to combine interior design and entrepreneurship to help develop innovative solutions that improve everyday living spaces, especially in communities that are often overlooked or underserved. Through this, I hope to make a positive and lasting impact on both individuals and the communities they are part of.

My name is Divine Luhere, and I am currently a sophomore at Samford University, majoring in Interior Design. As a Black woman, I have faced unique challenges and opportunities that have shaped my journey and aspirations. Growing up, I was always fascinated by how spaces could influence people's feelings and interactions. I would spend hours rearranging furniture in our small living room, dreaming of creating beautiful and functional spaces that could bring joy and comfort to others. Pursuing a degree in Interior Design has been a dream come true, but it has not been without its hurdles. As a first-generation college student, I have had to navigate the complexities of higher education largely on my own. My family has been incredibly supportive, but financial constraints have always been a concern. The cost of tuition, supplies, and living expenses can be overwhelming, and I have had to balance part-time work with my studies to make ends meet. Receiving the Concrete Rose Scholarship Award would be a tremendous blessing. It would alleviate some of the financial burdens that have been a constant source of stress and allow me to focus more on my studies and creative projects. With this support, I could dedicate more time to developing my skills and exploring new design techniques, which are crucial for my growth as an interior designer. Moreover, this scholarship would provide me with the opportunity to participate in design workshops and internships that are often unpaid but invaluable for gaining real-world experience. These experiences are essential for building a strong portfolio and establishing connections within the industry. As someone who is passionate about creating inclusive and sustainable spaces, I am eager to learn from professionals and incorporate these values into my work. My ultimate career goal is to start my own interior design firm that focuses on affordable and sustainable housing solutions for underrepresented communities. I believe that everyone deserves to live in a space that is both beautiful and functional, regardless of their socio-economic status. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to making this vision a reality by providing the resources I need to excel in my education and future career. In addition to the financial support, being a Concrete Rose Scholar would connect me with a network of like-minded individuals who are also striving to make a positive impact in their fields. This community of scholars and mentors would offer guidance, encouragement, and inspiration as I continue to pursue my dreams. In conclusion, the Concrete Rose Scholarship Award would have a profound impact on my journey as an interior design student and aspiring professional. It would not only ease my financial burdens but also empower me to pursue opportunities that will shape my future. With this support, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute to creating spaces that uplift and inspire. Thank you for considering my application.

I have a dream. My dream is to one day build caretaking facilities for orphaned or homeless children. I love children and therefore believe that they all deserve the best out of life, despite their race or background, because at the end of the day we're all human after all. Having grown up in Africa, not rich or even in the middle class, I know that there are those who are experiencing even worse conditions than I did. And if there is one thing that I’ve managed to learn in this life so far is to not be selfish. I see many kids on the streets, especially in third-world countries like mine-- the DRC, where children are left to fend for themselves in the midst of wars and food shortages. Which is why building a home and a hope for these children is my biggest dream and a dream that I hope to achieve with the help of education. My goal is to receive a BFA in Interior Design at the end of my four-year education here at Samford University. I also hope to minor in Entrepreneurship so that I can hopefully open my own firm one day to which I can then partner up with philanthropic organizations ,and even other firms, in order to help fund and complete many projects. Philanthropic organizations are crucial as they will help provide funding and certain advantages, and other firms, as well as mine, will be beneficial in providing design expertise which is needed to create facilities that are necessary for children of all ages. I want the spaces of the facilities to be vibrant and lively so that the children do not feel out of place or as though they are in a sort of "prison". I want them to feel at home. My overall goal is to purchase large plots of land in many third-world countries where orphaned or homeless children will be kept and taken care of. The facilities will include a school, living quarters, and multipurpose/extracurricular spaces. Food and clothing will be offered, and most importantly by having the children all live together in shared spaces they are given the opportunity to make life-long friends and feel part of a family. The main objective of these facilities won't be for the sake of getting the children adopted but to rather raise them up as good citizens so that once they reach the age of eighteen they are able to go out into the world with friends and people close to them who will be able to help, guide them, and offer various opportunities to them in order for them to live good, happy lives. I know that to some my dream may seem impossible but I truly believe that in a selfish world such as our current one, having a bit of selflessness is all that is needed along with an ambitious heart to make any dream that seems impossible, possible. I know that this dream of mine is going to come with a lot of challenges and will need a lot of hard work, which I am willing to give in excess, in order to make it come true. However, at the end of the day, my hope and trust is in the Lord. In God I trust.

biggest dream is to one day have my own orphanages or caretaking facilities for orphans or homeless children. I love babies and children and truly believe that they all deserve the best. I didn’t grow up rich or even middle class, yet there are those who have worser conditions than I did. If there is one thing that I’ve managed to learn in this life is to not be selfish. I see many kids on the streets especially in 3rd world countries like mine, the DRC, where children are left to fend for themselves. Which is why building a home and a hope for these children is my biggest dream and it is a dream I hope to achieve with the help of education. They say that education is power and I agree, which is why I am willing to work hard in order for me to achieve my dreams. I won’t only be going to school for myself but I will also be going to school for all those out there whom I will one day cross paths with. Me attaining a degree in Architecture won’t only be for my benefit or the benefit of my family but also for the benefit of all those kids as well. I hope to use my knowledge to build homes and futures for people, because home is where we spend the most time, it is where most of us grow, it is where we spend time with those we love. Which is why I think being an architect is an important job, because I won’t only be designing homes based off of conveniency but also based off of those who will be residing in those homes. I hope to not only help build homes or buildings by to help build hopes and futures, and my first step towards achieving this goal will be by designing and building my own buildings where all sorts of children from all corners of the world can be taken care off. I hope to have multiple facilities all around the world which will be built on large compounds where children can play and learn together. My goal is not to seclude them from the rest of the world but to allow for them to have family-like bonds and connections with one another as well as being immersed in their communities. I know that to some my dreams may seem impossible but I truly believe that in a selfish world such as the one we have today, having a bit of selflessness is all that is needed along with an ambitious heart to make any dream that seems impossible possible.

My name is Divine and I am from the DR of Congo. I remember when my family first migrated to the U.S. the first thing I noticed was how secluded and separated the people were. Everyone lives so far away from each other and most things aren’t a walkable distance. These among other things were a shock to me because in Africa what we had was the complete opposite. I still notice it even til this day, just how separated America is. There is not really any sense of community, instead it is all about individuality. There is also no support in anyway and everyone seems to just be doing their own thing. I admit, America isn’t the only country like this however it is unique in of itself. There are times when I miss Africa and my old neighbors. In fact, back in Africa was the very last time I ever knew or spoke to my neighbors. Instead I now live next to people who I don’t really know and have never really seen. I even get homesick sometimes when I think about my old life in Africa. I might have not lived the most luxurious life but I was happy. I remember always laughing and playing with my friends and my neighbors. I remember all the fun things we did and all the crazy places we’d go. In Africa we didn’t have phones and tablets and all this technology, nor did we have fancy cars or any of the fancy things that Americans have; yet, I was happier there than I have been here. I admit, America is a great place to live but it is also a very lonely place. It’s hard for people not to be lonely in a secluded and separated place such as America. In Africa I never felt lonely, I mostly experienced joy and happiness even with the little that we had. However, with all things considered I think that all of this goes to show that sometimes money doesn’t equal happiness and that there are those who live in poverty in third world countries; yet, live more happy and fulfilling lives than those who live in first world countries. Non the less, I miss the only African life. I miss the neighborhood games after school. I miss the to and from school walks. I miss the laughter. I miss the games. I mise the friends. I miss everything.

My biggest dream is to one day have my own orphanages or caretaking facilities for orphans or homeless children. I love babies and children and truly believe that they all deserve the best. I didn’t grow up rich or even middle class, yet there are those who have worser conditions than I did. If there is one thing that I’ve managed to learn in this life is to not be selfish. I see many kids on the streets especially in 3rd world countries like mine, the DRC, where children are left to fend for themselves. Which is why building a home and a hope for these children is my biggest dream and it is a dream I hope to achieve with the help of education. They say that education is power and I agree, which is why I am willing to work hard in order for me to achieve my dreams. I won’t only be going to school for myself but I will also be going to school for all those out there whom I will one day cross paths with. Me attaining a degree in Architecture won’t only be for my benefit or the benefit of my family but also for the benefit of all those kids as well. I hope to use my knowledge to build homes and futures for people, because home is where we spend the most time, it is where most of us grow, it is where we spend time with those we love. Which is why I think being an architect is an important job, because I won’t only be designing homes based off of conveniency but also based off of those who will be residing in those homes. I hope to not only help build homes or buildings by to help build hopes and futures, and my first step towards achieving this goal will be by designing and building my own buildings where all sorts of children from all corners of the world can be taken care off. I hope to have multiple facilities all around the world which will be built on large compounds where children can play and learn together. My goal is not to seclude them from the rest of the world but to allow for them to have family-like bonds and connections with one another as well as being immersed in their communities. I know that to some my dreams may seem impossible but I truly believe that in a selfish world such as the one we have today, having a bit of selflessness is all that is needed along with an ambitious heart to make any dream that seems impossible possible.