Smyrna Taco Bell Employee Gets $25,000 Scholarship

SMYRNA, TN -- Most of Steven Joseph's time is taken up in the classroom at Middle Tennessee State University, where he is pursuing a master's degree in biology.

He also spends a lot of time in the laboratory, helping develop medicines that inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, inspired by the memory of loved ones he's lost to the disease.

The rest of the time, he's working part-time at the Smyrna Taco Bell.

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This week, as part of the restaurant chain's $3 million Live Mas scholarship program, Joseph received a $25,000 scholarship to finish his work at MTSU, one of only five employees nationally to get the top-level scholarship. The chain increased its scholarship program this year in recognition of higher-than-ever tuition costs and awards 300 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000.

Joseph hopes to finish his master's and then go on to medical school. As part of his application, he made a three-minute video explaining his work in the classroom.

Photo via Taco Bell