April 12, 2026

Recently, I had the pleasure of helping Sister Thea Bowman Scholar Joshua Fosu ‘27, a Health Science major from Worcester, Massachusetts, prepare for a special moment in his undergraduate journey. Our Scholars have unique needs and through our generous supporters, we strive to provide for them.

Last week, Josh was inducted into the Alpha Delta Chapter of the Tau Upsilon Alpha Honor Society at Assumption University. This honor recognizes not only his academic success but also the perseverance and discipline he has shown throughout his college journey.

What makes this moment especially meaningful is the path Joshua took to get here. Educational opportunities were not always readily available to him growing up, and like many first-generation college students, he had to carve his own path. While others around him made different choices, Joshua stayed focused on his goal of earning a college degree. When I heard the news of his induction, I felt an enormous sense of pride. His achievement reflects the determination we see so often in our Scholars. Young people who refuse to let circumstances define their future.

Joshua recently shared with me what the Foundation has meant to him.

“The Foundation has blessed me in so many ways imaginable,” he told me. “It is filled with people who come from different backgrounds and have one goal. I am proud to be a part of the Foundation where the less fortunate have the chance to change their family’s story. And it gives a different perspective to so many people in my family and gives the option to have a better life.”

His words say more than any report or statistic ever could. They remind me that the mission of the Foundation is ultimately about students with talent and drive who simply need support and encouragement to reach their potential and complete their education at Catholic colleges and universities.

When he graduates, he plans to take what he has learned throughout his college studies and serve those in need, specifically to empower orphans with the same opporutnitues afforded to him

At the induction ceremony, Cinzia Pica, Professor of Human Services and faculty advisor to the chapter, spoke about what the recognition represents. She noted that the evening was an opportunity to celebrate students who embrace the core values of the Human Services profession: compassion, ethical responsibility, social justice, and integrity. She also emphasized that these students are not only strong academically, but are developing the professional skills that will allow them to serve others in meaningful ways.

Dr. Pica reminded the inductees that membership in Tau Upsilon Alpha is more than an academic honor. It marks an important step in their professional formation and reflects the kind of service-minded leadership they are preparing to bring into their careers. Their work, she noted, is already evident not only in their studies but in how they engage with others and respond to the real challenges people face every day.

Moments like this are a powerful reminder of why the Sister Thea Bowman Foundation exists. Joshua’s success is not just his own; it is a sign of what becomes possible when talent meets opportunity and when someone is given the support they need to succeed.