Leadership-Driven Partnership with Annexstad Family Foundation Powers Student Success at UA

Nurturing college students to become the next generation of leaders requires more than financial support and encouragement — it takes a robust network of mentorship, resources and programming.

The equation can be more complex for college students from challenging backgrounds, making fidelity and endurance critical factors for success.

The University of Alabama and the Annexstad Family Foundation’s Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship program continues to set an example of how institutions can uplift students and cultivate leaders through financial and holistic support.

The Foundation’s impact at UA is felt deeply within its scholars. Through its Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship program, AFF provides tuition assistance and builds a framework of support that helps students thrive academically, personally and professionally. This includes a dedicated university advisor, cross-campus collaboration, and a close working relationship with Maja Klos-Gromadzka, regional program manager for AFF, who ensures scholars are connected to the resources they need to succeed. Additionally, Annexstad Scholars at UA are empowered to take on leadership roles, expand their perspectives, and fully engage in the college experience.

 “The leadership at UA has been incredibly responsive and deeply committed to work in the best interest of our scholars. It’s a real partnership built on trust, care, and a shared investment in the students’ success,” said Klos-Gromadzka.

The impact of the LFT program at UA is both measurable and profoundly meaningful. Since the launch in 2011, Annexstad has contributed over $1 million in support of its scholars, with three new students awarded each academic year.

The program has celebrated 31 graduates, achieving an impressive 91% graduation rate. Currently, 14 scholars in the program are actively pursuing their degrees on campus; each one is supported by a network designed to help them thrive.

“Nothing in my college journey has been as influential as the support and encouragement that the Annexstad Family Foundation has given me,” said Abbie Allison, a second-year Annexstad Scholar. “Not only does my scholarship allow me to graduate debt-free, but it also allows me to feel seen in a community that I otherwise would not have been able to navigate; my identity as a first-generation student is not just acknowledged but celebrated.”

Founded by Cathy Annexstad and her late husband, Al, both of whom experienced the loss of a parent at a young age and were shaped by the power of mentorship and education. The Foundation is rooted in the belief that one’s circumstances should not define one’s future. Their mission is to invest in deserving and determined students, helping them flourish — often free from the burden of debt.

The Foundation’s commitment doesn’t end at graduation. A dedicated LinkedIn group connects current scholars with a growing network of over 850 AFF alumni across the country. As part of its 2025 strategic plan, AFF is expanding alumni engagement to ensure that the ripple effect of its investment continues for generations.

 “One of the best parts of this work is witnessing the transformation that happens between the scholars’ first year and graduation,” Klos-Gromadzka said. “You see their confidence grow, their goals expand, and their belief in what’s possible take shape.”