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The Soraya Foundation Scholarship
In 2025, The Soraya Foundation established The Soraya Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship supports former NCAA Division I student-athletes across the United States who are pursuing higher education beyond their undergraduate degree. This scholarship is designed for individuals who have demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and in athletics, who are now channeling the same dedication toward making a meaningful impact on the world through advanced studies. This one-time non-renewable scholarship supports individuals who embody resilience, leadership, but most importantly purpose beyond the game.
Benefits
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The Soraya Foundation Scholarship recipients receive comprehensive support designed to help student-athletes successfully transition from collegiate athletics into postgraduate education and professional life. Benefits include:
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Scholarship Funding: Financial support to help offset the cost of postgraduate education and professional school.​​
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Assigned Mentor: Every scholarship recipient is paired with a mentor whose background and goals closely align with theirs. Recipients will be matched with someone who has navigated the same higher-education path they're about to take, and their mentor will remain accessible to guide and support them throughout their professional school journey.​
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Individual Coaching Sessions: Recipients receive 12 complimentary monthly coaching sessions during their first year post-athletics through our partnership with Irie Mental Health & Coaching, founded and led by Keshia Kirtz - an Olympic gold medalist, University of Oregon Hall of Famer, and athlete transition coach helping athletes build clarity, purpose, and stability beyond competition.
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Financial Advisement & Support: Recipients receive access to financial advisor, Alexandra Goodelman, who provides financial literacy education and one-on-one planning support to help them build a personalized financial plan for postgraduate life.
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Keshia Kirtz is a 2012 Olympic and 2011 World Championship gold medalist in the 4×400 relay. During her time at the University of Oregon, she helped lead the team to the 2009–2010 NCAA Indoor 4×400 relay title. She is a four-time Pac-10 Champion, a six-time school record holder, and a proud inductee of the University of Oregon Hall of Fame. Following her athletic career, Keshia earned her master’s degree and built a career in the healthcare industry. She now provides coaching to current and former athletes navigating life transitions beyond sport.
Keshia Kirtz LMSW, OLY – Athlete Transition Coach
Alexandra Goodelman, CFP®, CDFA®
Alexandra Goodelman is a Financial Advisor at RBC Wealth Management. She specializes in comprehensive financial planning and long-term wealth management, with a focus on helping clients make confident, informed financial decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Hartwick College with a minor in Business Administration and maintains multiple industry certifications, including Certified Financial Planner™. She is deeply committed to financial literacy and community engagement, with extensive volunteer experience supporting health-focused nonprofit organizations.
