Scholarship support can reach far beyond the classroom. For sophomore Ava Crozier, it has created opportunities to turn her interests into meaningful impact.
Ava Crozier remembers the moment she found out she was going to be a Williams Scholar. She was at a basketball game with her lacrosse team and had to step outside of the gym to hear the unexpected call.
“It caught me entirely by surprise,” said Ava. “I couldn’t contain my excitement, so I told a friend of mine waiting in the concessions line first, and then I called my parents right away. It was really meaningful to celebrate with my team and friends once I went back to the game.”
The Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship, named for MSU’s inaugural president and first lady, welcomed its first cohort of 30 scholars in fall 2025 and Ava was one of them.
Now, as a sophomore studying business management and information science, Ava has continued to embrace the vibrant, welcoming culture at MSU.
“MSU’s community immediately impressed me. I was quickly embraced as a fellow Spartan,” she said. “As a Williams Scholar, I get to contribute to rewarding research and have had the opportunity to meet outstanding alumni. This scholarship has completely transformed my experience.”
For Ava, giving back and education are central values, so much so that she began her own initiative in 2023, Coffeeshop Concerts, to host aspiring Michigan musicians and fundraise for youth music programs. Since founding Coffeeshop Concerts, more than $3,000 has been raised for youth music and music therapy programs.
“It’s so important to contribute to something bigger than oneself,” said Ava. “I am genuinely grateful to be welcomed into a network of Spartans everywhere excited about giving back to education and our MSU community.”
