Scholarships Shape Recent UMW Alum’s Future in International Affairs
When Savannah Sinor ’26 graduated from the University of Mary Washington in May, the international affairs major already had plans to put her UMW education into practice as a business immigration paralegal in her hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.
“My experience has been wonderful,” said Sinor, who oversees several dozen employment-based petitions at a time, using her policy background and professional communication and time management skills she gained from Mary Washington. “I’ve already received several approvals, which is a fantastic feeling because each one represents a real person I’ve helped in their immigrant journey.”
Sinor, who minored in environmental sustainability and French, earned scholarships at UMW that supported her studies as an out-of-state student. The private funding also helped her find her purpose through experiential learning opportunities – a faculty-led trip to Latin America, a U.S. State Department internship and undergraduate research – that have been foundational for her life and career after Mary Washington.
“My scholarships allowed me to focus more fully on my academic and professional goals without the added stress of financial uncertainty,” said Sinor, who was awarded the Paul and Judith Dresser Merit Scholarship all four years of college. She also earned the Elizabeth Baylor Neatrour ’54 and Mary Ellen Stephenson Memorial, Marjorie Jean Frost ’44 and Smith International Affairs scholarships. “These awards made me feel truly supported by the UMW community.” Learn more about UMW alum Savannah Sinor ’26.
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