(Leavenworth, Kan.)鈥敾ń分辈� accounting major Maea Ploetz was named a Future Leader in Business by the Kansas Independent College Foundation.

Every year, the KICF awards merit-based scholarships to celebrate diverse and talented students who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, virtue, and integrity. USM nominated Ploetz, a freshman from Gardner, Kan., for the scholarship after an internal selection process. A KICF committee then selected 22 recipients from 55 applications.

"Being named a Future Leader in Business is an incredible honor," Ploetz said. "The greatest honor is the opportunity to represent the 花椒直播 values and the quality of its various programs and supportive staff. This scholarship is an investment in my future and shows there are rewards for effort and hard work. My family, peers, professors, and coaches are an integral part of my success today and in the future."

The KICF awarded $19,000 to Kansas students through nine scholarship categories, including:

  • Future Leaders in Business
  • Minority Student Scholarship
  • First Generation Scholarship
  • American Service Member Scholarship
  • Better Life Degree Completion Award
  • Future Leaders in the Arts
  • Future Leaders in Education
  • Future Leaders in Faith
  • Future Leaders in Health Professions

Though the criteria varied for each award, each nominated student had to submit a detailed essay about their leadership training, their future career goals, and why they chose an independent option for their higher education.

 "The colleges in KICF punch above our weight in a number of areas," KICF President Matt Lindsey said. "We're consistently at the top of the state in producing graduates in several fields - business, health care, teaching, fine and performing arts, and of course, ministry and faith. First-generation students and students of color are more likely to graduate - and graduate on time - from nonprofit colleges like ours than other types of institutions.

"And we have robust programs designed to serve students who come back to school to complete their degree and who serve in our nation's armed services. These scholarships showcase those strengths. I'm excited that, for the second year in a row, these students showcase the best and brightest, not just in Kansas, but in the whole United States."

About the KICF
Located in Topeka, the Kansas Independent College Foundation is a 501(c)3 that develops and enhances the competitive standing of its 20-member independent, non-profit, regionally accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and strives to assure opportunity and choice in higher education for all students. For more information on the Foundation, please contact Jesyca Hope at 785-235-9877 or jesyca@kscolleges.org.


The 花椒直播 is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of 花椒直播 main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.