Empowering Change: Jenna Poh's Journey of Impact and Gratitude

“Receiving donor-supported aid and awards has not only alleviated my financial pressures but also allowed me to explore new opportunities and immerse myself in experiences that have shaped who I am today.”

Rooted in her conviction to make a difference to those in need, Jenna Poh, recipient of the Peter Tan PTO Endowed Bursary and the Pilot Pen Community Champion Award shared that she aspires to work in fields related to social services where she can create meaningful impact when she graduates.  

Now in her final year at SMU, her four-year study with the university has given her opportunities to intern at various companies aligning with her mission. Jenna was able to secure positions as a Marketing Intern at a social enterprise called Speco, and as a Communications Intern at the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). More recently, Jenna took a leave of absence to pursue an internship in the Community Partnership department at Make-A-Wish Singapore, where she managed fundraising initiatives and coordinated events for Make-A-Wish beneficiaries.  

Jenna credits the Peter Tan PTO Endowed Bursary with giving her the confidence to seize these opportunities, despite initial concerns about taking a leave of absence that would delay her graduation. “The bursary eased my financial worries, which allowed me to make the decision to take a semester off for an internship. These roles not only deepened my understanding of the social sector but also reaffirmed my commitment to making a positive impact on the community.” she said.

The Peter Tan PTO Endowed Bursary was established in 2014 to support students in need of financial aid at SMU, allowing students to continue in their journey of higher education despite challenging circumstances.

Beyond pursuing internship opportunities in a field she feels passionate about, Jenna also participated in various co-curricular activities such as starringSMU, the largest and longest-running student-led community service project in SMU, SMU Caretalyst, which moulds future leaders to make a difference through three four main community service projects, and SMU Artdicted, where Jenna was an Operations Director managing logistics for workshops like terrarium-making and flower arrangement.

It was through her involvement in starringSMU that earned Jenna the Pilot Pen Community Champion award for the area of Disability. Assigned to work with beneficiaries from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Jenna initially felt daunted when sessions had to transition online due to the pandemic. However, her concerns quickly faded with the beneficiaries’ warmth, humour and enthusiasm, which made every session enjoyable. “Each experience was deeply fulfilling,” she shared.

Awards such as the Pilot Pen Community Champion Award recognise students making active and significant contributions to the community-at-large, impacting lives in Singapore. “Winning the award felt surreal – it was an acknowledgement of the contributions we made as a team and a reminder of how small actions could lead to meaningful change.”  

Receiving support and recognition from her donors also reinforced Jenna’s commitment to continue in this journey. To her donors, Jenna remains grateful for their generous support and belief. “Receiving donor-supported aid and awards has not only alleviated my financial pressures but also allowed me to explore new opportunities and immerse myself in experiences that have shaped who I am today.”

“Their generosity inspires me to pay it forward and make a positive impact on the lives of others, just as they have done for me.” 

Jenna Poh (BSc 2025), Peter Tan PTO Endowed Bursary and Pilot Pen Community Champion Award Recipient