ESF College Foundation
Student Profile Kaia Singleton

ESF: “Academic Forward”

By Judy Gelman Myers

Kaia Singleton ’27 came to ESF for its mission to better the environment. She never dreamed that in addition to helping her fulfill her goal of creating a healthier, greener Earth for future generations, the school would also offer such a close-knit community. “Everyone here looks out for one another. Everyone has similar interests and desires, while still being unique. I’ve made some amazing friends during my first year and I’m excited to continue meeting more classmates who share my passions and goals,” she said.

Currently a sophomore in the chemical engineering program, Singleton enrolled in environmental science but found that she loved math and chemistry more than biology. She ultimately chose chemical engineering because it engaged her interest in physics as well. “My overall goal at this point is to work in chemical cleanup and prevention, putting processes in place to stop spills and disasters,” said Singleton. She hopes to go to grad school to help further her career.

As a high school student, Singleton was very interested in environmental science, so she looked up premier STEM schools near her. ESF was at the top of the list and was one of the first schools she checked out. “I really appreciated their goal of sustainability and their commitment to the environment,” she said. “That’s what drew me to ESF.”

Once she was here, ESF proved a perfect fit. As someone who always put school first, Singleton calls ESF “academic forward”—placing a strong emphasis on academics.

“The faculty and staff are very helpful and very friendly. Theyʼre proud of their academic objectives, so ESF aligns with me very well.”

Receiving a scholarship enables Singleton to invest in the two aspects of school she values most: studying and building a new community of friends and colleagues.

Before she received the scholarship, Singleton’s parents would pick her up every weekend and they’d drive back to her hometown of Utica, New York, so she could work, making living expenses, and money for groceries and textbooks. Now she can spend weekends at ESF, meeting fellow classmates, bonding with friends, and prepping for weekday meetings with her professors. “The engineering program is very homework heavy, and you need to do a lot of studying outside the classroom to really understand the concepts. Not having to go home or work as much gives me a lot more time for homework and studying,” she said.

Singleton is deeply appreciative to donors for their generosity, as well as the time and dedication they put into their philanthropy. “I am very grateful to receive this scholarship. Your kindness is appreciated and will allow me to invest more of my time toward my studies. Thank you so much for your kindness. Itʼs very appreciated, and I know that many other students also appreciate their scholarships, too.”