AMANETTE JEAN SESSOM
​MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

As the Director of Student Support Services and the Ronald McNair Scholars programs at Hampton University, I secured nearly $10 million in program and research funds for low-income, first-generation students and underrepresented minorities. As the Founder and Chief Academic Officer of MIKAEL DAVIS CONSULTING, I have helped hundreds of students secure nearly $9 million in merit and need-based aid for college and graduate and professional school.  But I first got the idea that I could pursue a career in academia because Amanette Jean Sessom, my maternal grandmother who has consistently been the single greatest influence in my life, nicknamed me her “little professor” over forty years ago when I would not stop asking the million questions that drove my older siblings, aunts, and uncles crazy. Momma had a way of believing in you until you believed in yourself.

​As the Dean of Student Achievement, I direct multi-million dollar college access and retention programs tasked with increasing college matriculation, persistence, good academic standing, and graduation rates among ALL students at Hampton University.

During the 2020-21 academic year, a graduate student in the Masters of Teaching program at Hampton University will receive a scholarship in her honor*.   To donate

Amanette Jean Sessom was my backbone, my source of strength, and the wind beneath my wings. In addition to showering her progeny with unconditional love and unwavering support, my grandmother’s legacy encompassed the countless children for whom she provided safe passage to school every day.

​- de'veda davis alston

NONE OF THE FUNDS COLLECTED FOR THE OPTIMIZING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE AWARDED TO MY SON, whose diligence in securing scholarships and tuition remission to fund all tuition, fees, room & board, pre-college expenses, and books enabled me to devote months of logistical planning to this initiative to benefit other students. All receivables and capital outlays will be detailed in our forthcoming annual report. ​