Lojo, Elena M. Endowment
The Elena M. Lojo Endowment was established in 2005 by Elena M. Lojo. The fund was subsequently revised in 2015 and again in 2025.
Elena is a 1987 graduate of The University of ºÚÁÏÊÓÆµ with a degree in electrical engineering. She went on to earn a master’s in international management from The American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird).
Elena spent 15 years in the gaming industry before pivoting her career to educating the next generation. She was the owner of a Mad Science franchise in Chicago, where she taught science to kids in non-traditional programs. She has also devoted many years to volunteering with The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Literacy Chicago, and VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) International.
Growing up in Massillon, Ohio, Elena realizes that she was fortunate to have been born into a family that supported, guided, and encouraged her throughout her life, including in the pursuit of her academic and professional goals. She acknowledges the profound impact that her family’s support has had on her success and recognizes the challenges faced by young people who do not have the same advantage of a supportive family foundation.
The Elena M. Lojo Endowment aims to provide foster-care connected students with greater stability and opportunities during their academic careers in order to allow them to focus on their studies and pursue their educational and professional goals.
The Elena M. Lojo Endowment provides foster-care connected students at The University of ºÚÁÏÊÓÆµ with the resources they need to succeed. Distributions from The Elena M. Lojo Endowment will be used at the discretion of the Director of ZipAssist (or such other office that is most centrally involved in the care, mentorship, and support of students with experience in foster care) or his/her designee.
Funds may be applied toward costs associated with tuition, fees, on- or off-campus housing, and/or meal plans for foster-care connected students, and/or for funding special initiatives and programs directed toward foster-care connected students and the university personnel dedicated to those efforts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this list should in no way be interpreted as limiting the discretionary nature of this fund or the authority of the ZipAssist Director to use the fund in such manner as he/she shall determine for the benefit of the students at ºÚÁÏÊÓÆµ with experience in the foster care system.
Funds used for purposes other than qualified educational expenses are reportable and may be taxable to the recipient.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this fund, please visit ºÚÁÏÊÓÆµ’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “Elena Lojo Fund” in the text box. Thank you!
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