Detroit Student Johnny Menifee Pursues Debt-Free College Dream at Michigan State University
October 7, 2015
For many students, the path to higher education is a multi-step process. But the difficulties of navigating college life have not stopped Johnny Menifee. Menifee graduated from Davis Aerospace Technical High School in 2013 and enrolled the following fall at Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD).
After two successful years at WCCCD, including being named to the Dean’s List every semester, he received his associate degree in science. This fall, Menifee transferred to Michigan State University (MSU), where he was awarded the Spartan Advantage, a scholarship that covers the full cost of tuition and fees.
Menifee comes from a long line of college graduates and said he looks forward to continuing his family’s legacy of excellence in higher education. He is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and aims to complete his master’s degree and work in either the automotive or aerospace industries.
While college is challenging, Menifee said he enjoys being around positive people who are “trying to make something out of their lives.”
The Detroit Scholarship Fund, as well as his own family, played a key role in Menifee’s success.
“Honestly, I credit all my success on everyone in my family because they kept me motivated and insured I was in school no matter the circumstances,” he said.
That motivation, as well as dreams for a better life for his future children, inspires Menifee to work hard both in the classroom and in his daily life.
“(What) keeps me going is the kids that I haven’t had yet – I want them to be set for life…and then do the same for my grandchildren,” he said.