BELLEVUE, Wash. – City University of Seattle honored Melanie Krook with the 2010 Seahawks Undergrad Scholarship during a special game ceremony at Seattle’s Qwest Field recently. Provost Steven Olswang presented the $15,000 scholarship to Krook – a Lakewood mother of two and autism behavior support specialist for the Clover Park School District.

“Melanie is a stellar individual with an inspiring story and a desire to finish her four-year degree and give back to the developmental disability community as a support provider,” Olswang said. “Here at CityU of Seattle, we celebrate future leaders, like Melanie, and do everything we can to make sure they’re prepared with tools and knowledge to find a fulfilling career.”

This summer Krook will enter the CityU bachelor’s program in Applied Psychology upon finishing her associate degree at Pierce College. Krook plans for a future career counseling families who have loved ones living with autism. Among her accomplishments, Krook is a staunch advocate for people with developmental disabilities and holds a certificate in social services and mental health from Pierce College.

“This scholarship gives me the opportunity to realize my dream of working with families with autism,” said Krook, whose husband and 12-year-old son Kenny both have the neural development disorder. “A lot has changed in the field of education for those with disabilities. We didn’t have the benefit of the resources that we have now. That’s why I’m very passionate about sharing my personal background and enriching my professional credentials.”

For the past three years, CityU and the Seattle Seahawks have offered the undergrad scholarship to an outstanding individual with a desire to finish a four-year degree. A volunteer committee of community representatives selects a recipient who demonstrates perseverance and the motivation to earn a degree. All applicants submit personal essays.