Jackson Named Recipient of National Dental Association/Colgate-Palmolive Scholarship
Gabrielle Jackson, D.D.S. Candidate 2016, has been named one of 10 dental students nationwide to be awarded a National Dental Association Foundation (NDAF)/Colgate-Palmolive Scholarship. NDAF is the non-profit arm of the National Dental Association (NDA).
As an award recipient, Jackson will receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000 to be used towards her dental education. In part, eligibility is based on two letters of recommendation, financial need and active membership in the Student National Dental Association (SNDA). The award also requires a demonstrated history of being active in community service.
In her time at school, Jackson has been an active member of UNC’s SNDA chapter, volunteering at the SNDA’s CAARE Clinic and Impressions program, and representing the chapter at the 2013 national conference as its delegate. Currently, she serves as the chapter’s community service chair. Jackson is also a member of the school’s 2014 Malawi Project, through which she’ll travel to Malawi and provide oral health care and HIV education to the country’s citizens this summer.
Most notably, Jackson’s commitment to serve is illustrated in her recent acceptance into the nationally recognized N.C. Albert Schweitzer Fellowship program. As Schweitzer Fellows, Gabrielle and her partner and classmate, Leilah Langston, are currently working to raise awareness among older adults in the Triangle area. They will have provided over 200 hours of community service by the project’s completion. Jackson and Langston are two of five UNC School of Dentistry students that received Schweitzer Fellowships this year.
“Being named a recipient of this scholarship is very humbling and I am beyond grateful. I am even more grateful for the opportunity and privilege to serve others,” said Jackson. “It’s encouraging to know that you have the support of such highly regarded and respected UNC School of Dentistry faculty like Dr. Susan Hadler and Dr. Al Wilder, both of whom endorsed my application for this scholarship.”
Incorporated in 1976, the NDAF promotes dental health access and equality worldwide and support community service efforts in oral health fields, while providing scholarships to support educational and scientific research endeavors of dentists, dental students, hygienists and dental assistants. According to their website, the NDAF, with their partner Colgate-Palmolive, has provided more than $3 million in scholarship funds for more than 2,400 students, and more than $4 million in student and faculty research funding.
