Jakob Rodriguez Awarded Michael S. Schisler Scholarship

The journey of Kuyper College freshman Jakob Rodriguez toward becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college took one big step forward when he found out last month that he is one of just three recipients nationwide to be awarded the Michael S. Schisler Scholarship.

Michael Shayne Schisler became the first in his family to go to college because of a scholarship opportunity, an opportunity that changed not just his life but that of his family as well.

Kyle Schisler, franchise owner/operator at Chick-fil-A in Crestview, Florida, started the scholarship named in honor of his father as a way to honor his father’s legacy and support the National Christian College Athletic Association (of which Kuyper is a member). Its goal is to remove financial barriers for first-generation NCCAA students, helping them pursue their dream of a college education.

For Rodriguez, news of the award sent him straight to his phone, appropriately enough for a call to a family member.

“When I found out that I got it, I called my mom, freaking out,” he said with a laugh. “I was so excited.”

He smiled as he described the impact this award will have on his life.

“It’s pretty much going to cover the rest of my education,” he said.

Rodriguez grew up playing a wide variety of sports and was initially drawn to Kuyper by the possibility of playing basketball, though he says the Christ-centered atmosphere on campus was what cemented his decision to attend this past fall.

“What really pushed me to come here was wanting to grow in my faith,” he emphasized. “I knew I was going to be taking classes on things I’d never studied before, and that I’d be surrounding myself with people who wanted to get closer to God. I’d never really had that before.”

Rodriguez is currently majoring in Business Leadership while playing basketball for Kuyper’s men’s developmental team and said he loves his classes with Professor Marc Andreas, Associate Professor of Business Leadership and the program’s director.

“I’m in his Sports Management class right now, and it’s definitely my favorite,” he said, enthusiastically. “We actually get to go to local games, and I just really like Professor A; he’s cool.”

Though he isn’t sure exactly where life will take him in the future, Rodriguez is excited about the possibilities that the Michael S. Schisler Scholarship has now opened up for him.

“Right now, outside of basketball season, I’m really just focusing on God and growing in my faith. I don’t exactly know what I want to do in the future, I’m just taking things day by day,” he said.

Since 2021, the Michael S. Schisler Scholarship has awarded nearly $200,000 to 13 different recipients who are on track to become first-generation college graduates.