Empowering success through a community of support

For first-generation student Hailee Macias ’28, the moment she learned she was selected to receive an educational grant felt surreal. Redlands had already become a place where she felt supported and seen, but receiving the STAR award for academic excellence her senior year of high school, followed recently by the Sisters Helping Illuminate those in Need of Educational support (SHINE) award, was an affirmation that she was truly on the right path. Both accolades were given by the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.). Much of that sentiment came from the tight-knit community she found at Redlands and from an unexpected champion in alumna Martha Kennedy ’66.

Interviewing for these scholarships, Macias established a connection with Kennedy who quickly became a steady presence in her life. After being informed she received the SHINE grant, Macias spoke with Kennedy, who shared how “proud she was” of all her hard work.  

“Martha has always been supportive of me throughout the process of working with P.E.O.,” she said. “As a former teacher, she’s always offered to help me in my studies, has opened her home to me as a place to study or take a break from campus life, and has become a bridge to this spot I’ve gained in a supportive community through P.E.O.”

For Kennedy, helping Macias pursue her goals is part of a larger commitment to uplifting determined young women.

“Hailee is a fighter who wants to make a difference,” she said. “I’m so grateful for P.E.O., who sees Hailee as someone determined to make the world better. In many ways, it’s a gift to me and others in the organization to support Hailee, and we are all grateful for the opportunity.”

Dreams of giving back

From a young age, Macias had always wanted to become a pediatrician. Drawn to the appeal of Redlands’s small class sizes, engaging faculty, and the strong bond within the Health, Medicine, and Society (HMS) program, Macias sees continued support in her academic journey not only from P.E.O. but from her fellow Bulldogs.

“Talking with my HMS peers about our career aspirations and how we leapt into a challenging yet ultimately rewarding program has helped me further believe in myself and that I can do this,” she said. “Additionally, my faculty advisor, Professor Lei Lani Stelle, has always been supportive in guiding me down the right path.”

Within the HMS program, Professor James Krueger has also become a “bridge” towards Macias' success at Redlands, further cementing her commitment to her education.

“This year made me realize I made the right choice coming to Redlands,” she said. “The support here and through P.E.O., Martha, my family, and professors—it all reminds me that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”