Meg Dalmut, Marymount University’s director of community engagement, was recently recognized as the outstanding community partner of the Dream Project, a local organization that encourages and supports promising immigrant youth in their pursuit of higher education.
Through Dalmut’s efforts, Marymount has co-sponsored and hosted events on campus, provided mentors at Washington-Lee High School and donated the services of two work-study students to the Dream Project. The university also gave two Dream Project students full scholarships.
Dalmut was recognized at the organization’s fifth annual holiday dinner, where one of those scholarship students spoke about fulfilling her dream of attending Marymount.
“It was very kind and generous of the Dream Project to honor me,” Dalmut said. “I’m really committed to this issue, but I was really just doing my job and being a good citizen, which is part of our university’s mission. It’s in the tradition of our founders – the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary – to take care of those who need it the most.”
Since it started in 2011 with a handful of parent volunteers, the Dream Project has grown to an organization that last year provided each of 48 students with $1,000 scholarships and other assistance to attend college.
“We’re talking about honor students, even a valedictorian of a high school,” said Allison Coles, a Dream Project board member. “We believe that all promising students should have equal access to education.”
Coles praised Dalmut and Marymount President Matthew D. Shank for their efforts.
“Meg is an amazing community leader,” Coles said. “She always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She’s deeply invested in the success of our students. And we’re very fortunate to have Dr. Shank here. Marymount is so involved and is truly a leader in the Arlington community.”
For more information on the Dream Project, go to www.dreamproject-va.org.
