McIntire First Generation Scholarship Program

The McIntire First Generation Scholarship was created in 2024 by two first-generation McIntire graduates, Sarrah Abdulali (COMM ‘24) and Manish Dahal (COMM ‘24), who imagine a world where underrepresented students have equal opportunities and a community that empowers them to become pioneers in their respective fields. Initially, the two faced hardships in navigating college and the business field because they lacked the necessary resources. Determined to succeed, the two worked hard in and out of the classroom. Manish led the largest volunteering program on Grounds (C.A.S.H.) and was a Resident Advisor, Career Peer Coach for Commerce Career Services, Head Teaching Assistant, competed on Survivor @ UVA, and more. Sarrah was a Career Peer Educator for the UVA Career Center, Manager for the only student-led fundraising organization on Grounds (Cavalier Connect), Aetna Insurance Support Fund Director for Student Council, DEI Director for Forge, TEDx Speaker, and more. In their final semester, the two created UVA’s first community dedicated to supporting and empowering First-Generation and/or Limited Income students interested in business – One Generation Network. Later, they invited Jack Banbury (COMM ‘78) and his wife Mary Beth (Edinboro ‘81), a first-generation graduate, to their team. Inspired by Manish and Sarrah’s vision to assist other first-generation students, the two made a generous donation to ignite the program. The scholarship is designed to reduce the cost of attending UVA, but more importantly, to provide a community that equips and emboldens students to succeed in business and make a lasting impact on their communities at UVA and beyond. Recipients will have access to a robust mentorship program with alumni working in Consulting, Investment Banking, Technology, Private Equity, Venture Capital, and more.