Page 16 - 2023 JSF Annual

Makenzi Skellenger (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes) grew up on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. She always knew she wanted to attend college, but recognized it would be a challenge to finance that dream.
Skellenger began attending Salish Kootenai College (SKC) in 2017 to study business
administration. Worried about taking on student loans, she did everything possible to independently fund her degree. In her first year, she held two jobs to make ends meet. She also had a long daily commute to work and classes.
During her sophomore year, Skellenger received the Johnson Scholarship. This lifted some of her financial burden so she could take on more meaningful work opportunities. She started as a work-study student at SKC and accepted every internship and opportunity that crossed her path.
In 2021, the Johnson Scholar graduated with her bachelor’s degree. But Skellenger didn’t stop there. Along her journey, she discovered a passion for teaching. Recognizing the power of education, she wanted to continue her studies and become a faculty member at Salish Kootenai College—something she believes would not have been possible without JSF.
Page 14 Annual Report