About
​​We are a family of four: parents Sean and Emily, and our two children, Eva and Andrew. Emily holds a master’s degree in social work and has a background in mental health counseling, research, and over 20 years of experience in career services and higher education. Sean has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and has built his career in finance and technology. Eva is a college student studying consumer studies and business, while Andrew, a high school student, enjoys soccer and running in his free time.
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Our family founded Promising Pathways to make a meaningful impact on issues related to poverty, inequality, disabilities, and the well-being of children and families. By helping students stay in school and complete their degrees, we aim to empower them to build brighter futures for themselves and their loved ones.
We believe in the transformative power of education—at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels—to change lives. Research consistently shows that completing a higher education degree is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and reduce inequality. In general, the higher the degree earned, the lower the likelihood of living below the poverty line. Beyond financial benefits, post-secondary education is linked to numerous advantages for individuals and their families, from improved job stability to better overall well-being.
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Our commitment to education is also personal. With family members who have worked as nurses, experienced hearing loss, or navigated single parenthood, we understand the unique challenges these individuals face in pursuing their education and securing sustainable careers. Offering scholarships in these areas is our way of giving back and helping others overcome similar obstacles.
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Two of our scholarships are hosted on Bold.org, which handles outreach, applications, and fund distribution to winners’ schools. If you or someone you know is looking for post-secondary scholarships, be sure to explore Bold's opportunities—they offer a wide range of awards tailored to different backgrounds, majors, and circumstances. Additionally, the UNSB Scholarship is managed through the Kellermann Foundation.
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The Research
While attending higher education can be stressful for many students, some individuals face additional challenges to enrolling and completing their degrees, including students who are single parents and students who are hard of hearing. Both groups tend to already have low incomes and are less likely to graduate than other students. For example, the vast majority of single mothers (89%) in the U.S. are low-income and 63% are at or below federal poverty levels. Both groups of students also have higher expenses, needing costly childcare services and hearing aids and cochlear implants that are rarely covered by insurance.
However, the benefits of finishing their degrees can be life changing. Research shows that earning a postsecondary credential will lead to higher earnings, reduced poverty rates, improved health and well-being, and increased civic engagement. Furthermore, for those with children, completing degrees has an intergenerational benefit on their children’s behavior and education (they are also more likely to attend college themselves). Finally, earning postsecondary credentials results in a positive impact to society, as these individuals tend to contribute more taxes and are less likely to need public benefits and assistance.
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Research and Sources:
Investing in Single Mothers’ Higher Education, Accelerating Postsecondary Success for Parents, Single Mothers in College, Helping Students with Children Graduate, No Matter What Obstacle Is Thrown My Way, Prepping Colleges for Parents, The Socioeconomic Impact of Hearing Loss in US Adults, College Planning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Hearing Losses
