Shared history and a legacy of opportunity

When six women from Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics and Liberal Arts reflect on their time on campus, they don’t begin with lectures or labs — they begin with people.

More than 25 years after meeting at Auburn, Kristy Lee, Dayna Smithers, Theresa Mays, Leah Wilson, Charmaine Porter and Kimberly Crawford remain closely connected through careers, families and life milestones. Now, they are turning that lifelong friendship into a lasting impact through the Six Degrees of Excellence Endowed Scholarship.

Lee, chief administrative officer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, said Auburn’s Summer Bridge program helped shape her purpose early on.

“If Dr. Overtoun Jenda hadn’t poured into me as a high school student, showing me I could go further than I thought I could, I wouldn’t be here today,” Lee said. “That experience showed me the power of helping students realize their potential.”

Smithers, senior manager of instruction and engagement at Western Governors University, said Auburn continues to influence her work and values.

“Auburn has been a big part of my why,” she said. “When my friends said, ‘Let’s do something to help students who were like us,’ I was all in.”

Both Lee and Smithers received Summer Bridge scholarships that allowed them to graduate debt free. Mays, executive vice president at Trenholm State Community College, said their experiences reinforced the importance of giving back.

“Being able to support students with real-life experience is important to me,” Mays said. “I attribute that to my time at Auburn and the people who invested in us.”

Wilson, now a principal and former special education teacher, was not part of Summer Bridge but formed lasting friendships with the group after enrolling at Auburn.

“If we can relieve even a little stress for a student trying to better themselves, that’s worth it,” Wilson said.

The idea for the scholarship emerged after Lee learned about a fundraising model in which groups of friends pool resources to create greater impact. The group soon began meeting regularly to bring the idea to life.

“We were trying to figure out what to call the scholarship,” Mays said. “Everyone had earned a degree, and we wanted the work to reflect excellence. That’s how the name stuck.”

The Six Degrees of Excellence Scholarship is designed to help students cover smaller but critical expenses such as books, lab fees and short-term balances that can interrupt enrollment.

“I’ve seen students withdraw over as little as $250,” Lee said. “If we can help someone stay in school one more semester, that can change their future.”

For the group, Auburn’s legacy extends far beyond academics. It is rooted in mentorship, community and the relationships formed along the way.

“Dr. Jenda showed us what it means to invest in others,” Smithers said. “We want to do the same for the next generation.”

Porter and Crawford, who were also part of the Summer Bridge cohort, continue supporting the scholarship initiative behind the scenes.

“We all came from different backgrounds and followed different paths,” Mays said. “But we share the same heart for helping students succeed.”

Together, the six women share a common goal: opening doors for future Auburn students.