LEWIS Scholarship Sends Local Student to Spain

Building Pathways for Student-Athletes: Soccer iQ’s Strategic Partnerships

At Soccer iQ Institute, our mission has always been clear: to develop student-athletes who are just as prepared for success off the field as they are on it. This year, we are proud to announce a series of strategic partnerships designed to strengthen that mission by connecting our student-athletes with STEM careers, mentors, and international opportunities.

Through collaboration with innovative organizations such as LEWIS, HBI Ventures, and the ORTHO Project—and with generous support from Microsoft’s Justice Reform initiative and The PATH—Soccer iQ launched a unique STEAM + Athletics curriculum. This program bridges the gap between sports, academics, and professional development, giving our athletes access to mentorship, health sciences, and technology-focused learning.

One of the highlights of this effort was enabling one of Soccer iQ’s most outstanding student-athletes to attend an immersive two-week soccer and cultural program in Spain. This milestone reflects the power of building intentional partnerships that open doors far beyond the classroom and the soccer pitch.

Student Spotlight: Micaiah Idio

We are thrilled to announce that Micaiah Idio was selected as this year’s recipient of the “Getting In Good Trouble Summer Scholarship”, a joint initiative made possible through Soccer iQ’s partnership with LEWIS and The PATH.

Micaiah stood out not only for his athletic excellence but also for his academic performance and commitment to STEM. His remarkable achievements made him the perfect representative of what it means to be a Soccer iQ student-athlete—a young leader equally driven in the classroom, in the lab, and on the field.

Our co-founder, Ms. Bridgette Robinson, was proud to bring Micaiah’s story forward, ensuring he was recognized and supported in pursuing this extraordinary opportunity.

A Shared Mission: Building Futures

Dr. Güez Salinas, Executive Director of LEWIS and director emeritus of The PATH, reflected:“I immediately saw a synergy between our interdisciplinary goals at LEWIS and what Soccer iQ and HBI Ventures are doing in the STEAM space for student-athletes. Working with Ms. Robinson and Mr. Harris allowed us to create the kind of meaningful, holistic experience a young student like Micaiah deserves.”

Ms. Bridgette Robinson, co-founder of Soccer iQ, added:“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with outstanding organizations like LEWIS, Ortho Project, and HBI Ventures to discover and support talented student-athletes like Micaiah. With his strengths in science and technology and his passion for soccer, he has truly earned this recognition. His extraordinary opportunity to travel to Spain highlights our commitment to fostering talent and ensuring our students are positioned for success in every arena of life.”

Mr. Corey Harris, MBA, CEO of HBI Ventures, emphasized:“Together, our organizations are aligned in focus: advancing innovation, promoting education, and expanding opportunity for student-athletes. This shared mission ensures participants are not only equipped to excel on the field but are also prepared to lead in technology-driven industries and make a meaningful impact off the field.”

Looking Ahead

At Soccer iQ, we believe that sports are a gateway to opportunity—a way to unlock talent, discipline, and ambition that can propel student-athletes into diverse fields, from professional soccer to STEM careers. By cultivating strategic partnerships, we’re building a bridge that ensures our athletes are not only prepared for the next game, but also for the future.

This is only the beginning. With every collaboration, every scholarship, and every success story like Micaiah’s, we’re redefining what it means to be a student-athlete in today’s world.