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Matching funds, community propel SLI past initial goal in the Great Community Give
Forty-two donors and an anonymous matching funds gift raised $13,839 for SLI during the Great Community Give, surpassing SLI’s initial goal of $10,000.
“These meaningful and generous gestures of tangible support truly make a difference,” said Christopher Clymer Kurtz, SLI director of development. “By providing matching funds or including SLI in their Great Community Give plans, many people have shown their confidence in the young people who are SLI scholars.”
In Facebook and Instagram reels, members of the SLI board of directors shared their reasons for serving the organization.
“As a first-generation American, a first-generation college graduate, and a proud Latina, I know what it’s like to need support on the journey to higher education,” said Steph Beck in her video. “If I can contribute in some small way to the success of these incredible SLI scholars, then I’m happy to answer that call.”
Since 2012, SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni) and awarded more than $700,000 in financial support for students through college scholarships, technology grants, and dual enrollment and Advanced Placement tuition assistance. More than $300,000 of that total were awarded in the last two years – and in 2025 alone, SLI anticipates making more than a quarter million dollars in new awards to alumni and its larger-than-ever graduating cohort.
SLI’s mission – to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships – has been sustained through the generosity of the SLI Community of Support, which includes many individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. Together, they have helped SLI alumni attend 25 colleges and universities.
Many SLI scholars have shared about the impact of their SLI experiences:
“Thanks to SLI I have grown over the past three years. I have learned how to speak up for myself, that challenges are just ways to learn, and how to grow and become a better person. SLI taught me how to face the reality of becoming a first generation immigrant college student and how to succeed in such a journey. I have been able to work with different people who allowed me to have new experiences, ideas, and perspectives which helped me find the path I wanted to follow.”
“I have grown academically and personally during my years as a SLI scholar. Academically, I have strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, achieving excellence in rigorous coursework. Personally, I have embraced leadership opportunities, and fostered a strong sense of community and cultural pride. The mentorship and support from SLI have empowered me to pursue higher education with confidence and a deep commitment to giving back to my community.”
“When I joined SLI I was still unsure about my future after high school because no one close to me had gone to college. The idea of going to college was terrifying because I knew I’d have a hard time with every step. Once I joined SLI, many worries faded. During our meetings, I would learn something new about what needed to be done before college. I learned the importance of community service, joining clubs, making connections with teachers, and focusing on academics.”
“SLI has prepared me for college not only financially but also academically. Through SLI, I was challenged to take more demanding courses and to participate in extracurricular activities, which I’m certain not only helped me get into the university I’m attending but also equipped me with the necessary academic skills for the rigorous courses I have to take as a nursing student. With the past SLI scholarship, I was able to buy all the school supplies I needed, including an iPad, dorm supplies, and personal necessities, throughout my first year.”
“As a first-generation student, I faced numerous barriers, such as the lack of parental support and guidance, which often limited my opportunities to expand my knowledge. However, SLI transformed my outlook and capabilities. SLI not only prepared me for college but also instilled a deep sense of dedication and determination to achieve my dreams. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone, making me realize that without this challenge, I would have remained shy and uncertain of my abilities. Thanks to SLI, I am now confident and proactive, fully prepared to pursue my goals with unwavering resolve.”
“SLI equipped me for college by providing resources and support for the application process. I developed leadership skills, learned self-advocacy, and gained confidence to pursue my academic goals. SLI helped me build a strong network of mentors and peers, encouraging my success in college. As an immigrant, I participated in events like the storytelling workshop, where I learned how to craft my personal narrative and share my story with others. These experiences have helped me develop my communication skills and prepare me for the challenges of college life.”
“When you’re a high school senior who is starting to apply for college, and when you start coming across things that you have never had to deal with before, it is terrifying. You feel as if at any point you can sink and not end up preparing for that transition from high school to college. Through SLI, I was able to have access to many resources that allowed for that smooth transition. SLI taught me what to do, and how to do it, and having someone guide me through this process was a true blessing. Through SLI’s workshops, and their mentee-mentor program, that fear of preparation vanished, and I am forever grateful for that.”
“SLI allowed me to have a community in which others understand what it is like to be a first-generation student. They also provided me with the support and information necessary to move forward as a student with no previous ties to any college. They guided me through the process of understanding how to apply, breaking down the FAFSA application, and even allowed us to spend time in person at college campuses in order to understand what we were planning on doing and to make connections with potential professors.”
“SLI prepared me for college through its Early College lectures which helped me gain the necessary discussion skills for my discussion sections in college. The Early College experience also allowed me to observe college classes in high school and see how they compared to high school. Additionally, SLI’s volunteering opportunities … helped me gain the necessary team building skills to succeed in college projects and the necessary note taking skills to thrive in my classes.”
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SLI board welcomes new members and leadership, thanks outgoing members
Pictured, top row: Amelia Castañeda and Brook Vazquez. Bottom row: Lisette Carbajal, Andrea Meador Smith, and Veronique Walker
At the start of another anticipated record-breaking year, the college-access nonprofit Shenandoah Valley Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has announced board and leadership transitions.
SLI, which in 2025 plans to graduate its largest student cohort ever, has welcomed two new members to its board of directors, appointed a new board secretary and a program services coordinator, and thanked two outgoing board members for their service.
“Each new year brings changes to SLI’s rotating board roster,” said board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., a professor of history at James Madison University. “It’s a time of gratitude for work completed and gathering momentum for our growing impact.”
SLI’s mission is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships. Since 2012 SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni), and SLI scholars have attended 25 colleges and universities. SLI program sites are in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester.
This year SLI anticipates awarding its scholars $264,500 in college scholarships, technology grants, and college dual enrollment and AP courses tuition assistance. This significantly surpasses last year’s record $158,338, and will notably increase its cumulative awards, which have totaled more than $700,000.
In addition to funding, SLI’s collaborations with university and high school staff, faculty, and students provide college access opportunities throughout high school. Among SLI program offerings are “Early College,” which gives students a taste of what college academics are like; assistance in the college application process; community service and leadership development opportunities; supportive friendships with peers who are also preparing to go to college; and mentorships with university faculty and students.
“I feel an immense sense of gratitude for the support and guidance that SLI has provided,” said Miguel, a SLI alum who will graduate from college this spring. “SLI hasn’t just shaped my academic pursuits; it has shaped the core of who I am today.”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The new members of the board of directors are Amelia Castañeda of Richmond and Brook Vazquez of Harrisonburg.
“I am delighted to welcome Amelia and Brook to the board,” said Montoya. “Their experiences and insights will be invaluable as SLI navigates the challenges and opportunities facing college access for Latinx students.”
Castañeda received a bachelor of science in human development and human services from Virginia Tech in 2008, and serves Richmond Public Schools as its Welcome Center and family advocacy coordinator. In her prior role as the Alexandria Center Director for Higher Achievement, she was recognized by the White House as a Latino Educator Champion of Change in 2014. In 2015 Forbes 30 Under 30 (Education) profiled her as “the Michigan-born daughter of migrant Mexican workers and the first in her family to graduate high school and college” who was now boosting “college-readiness outcomes for at-risk middle schoolers.”
Vazquez holds a degree in business administration from Eastern Mennonite University and is a business services advisor at Park View Federal Credit Union.
“I believe that education is an important asset and these students are deserving of the opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams,” she said. “I look forward to contributing my experience and collaborating with incredible leaders. I am excited to help drive meaningful change and make a difference in our community.”
LEADERSHIP
Newly-appointed as board secretary is Andrea Meador Smith, Ph.D., of Winchester. Smith will serve a two-year term on the executive committee, which also includes chair Montoya, vice chair Carlos Alemán, Ph.D., a professor of Communication Studies at JMU, and treasurer Steve Burkholder, a financial consultant at Everence.
Smith is a professor of Hispanic Studies and the senior associate dean of the Shenandoah University College of Arts & Sciences, where her teaching and research focus on representations of race and gender in Latin American film. She has also been a faculty member for Semester At Sea and a Spanish instructor at the University of Virginia, where she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish, a master of teaching in Spanish and English as a Second Language, and a doctorate in Spanish. She studied abroad as an undergraduate and did doctoral research at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.
In addition, the board named a support coordinator and program specialist, who will support SLI program directors by coordinating organization practices and training, identifying college access resources and opportunities, and innovating program curricula specific to first-generation Latinx high school students in pursuit of higher education.
OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS
The SLI board recognized the service of two outgoing members, Lisette Carbajal of Richmond and Veronique Walker, Ed.D., L.P.C., N.C.C., of Martinsburg, WV.
“I am grateful for the ways that Lisette and Veronique supported our students during their time on the board,” said Montoya. “While we will miss their contributions as board members, we wish them all the best in their ongoing pursuits. They are leaving the organization stronger than ever, and I am excited for SLI’s continuing trajectory.”
Carbajal will continue as vice president of government relations (state ) for McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, and Walker as the equity and family empowerment coordinator for Winchester Public Schools.
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Winchester SLI Meet & Greet ’25 features SLI community
The Winchester SLI Meet & Greet on April 4 celebrated college access by bringing together SLI scholars and alumni, program directors, families, board members, and community supporters for delicious food and drinks.
Sponsored by Laurel Ridge Community College and hosted by Lolita’s Mexican Restaurant, the evening featured speeches including by board member Bryan Pearce-Gonzales, Ph.D. (pictured) and SLI alumni.
SLI “was one of the best things, and still is one of the best things that has ever happened to me,” said alum Daniel ’21, who will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “Through SLI’s help and guidance, and financial support, I have been able to achieve all of my dreams. SLI laid the foundation for me.”
During the event, Gerald F. “J.J.” Smith, Jr. was recognized for continuing to fund many SLI college scholarships, and for his 2022 lead gift that led to the establishment of a SLI endowment at the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
J.J. Smith (center, wearing a class of 2025 stole) was recognized during the Winchester SLI Meet & Greet for his generous support for SLI. Also pictured are board members Bryan Pearce-Gonzales, Fawn-Amber Montoya, Andrea Meador Smith, Diana Patterson, alumni Daniel and Albert, board member Carlos Alemán, and director of development Christopher Clymer Kurtz. SLI leaders were also introduced, including Winchester program directors Lara Maquera and Lenny Vasquez, SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., vice-chair Carlos Alemán, Ph.D., secretary Andrea Meador Smith, Ph.D., and members Diana Patterson, owner of DSP Services, and Pearce-Gonzales.
The mission of Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships.
Through collaborations with university and high school staff, faculty, and students, SLI provides college access opportunities throughout high school. In addition, its scholars can become eligible for financial support for college success. Since 2012 SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni) and awarded more than $700,000 in financial support for students. SLI scholars have attended 25 colleges and universities.
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SLI Annual Report 2025
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Breaking barriers, dreaming bigger, and paving the way for those who come after: Miguel, SLI alum
At a VOICE ensemble concert benefiting SLI, SLI alum Miguel shared the following about his experiences:
It’s an honor to stand before you tonight and share my story as a Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) scholar. Looking back on my college journey, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for the support and guidance that SLI has provided. SLI hasn’t just shaped my academic pursuits; it has shaped the core of who I am today.
As a first-generation, low-income student…, my path to college was filled with both challenges and hope. I grew up watching the resilience of my parents, who left behind everything they knew in Cuba and El Salvador to build a better life for their family. Their sacrifices, their unwavering spirit in the face of hardship—these are the gifts they passed on to me, and I carry their strength with me every day.
When I entered [university], I did so determined to honor those sacrifices. Double majoring in Public Policy and Leadership and Foreign Affairs, and, of course, minoring in Astronomy—my first childhood passion—I knew this opportunity wasn’t just mine. It belonged to my family and my community, to everyone who believed in me.
My college experience has been a patchwork of growth, resilience, and opportunity. It has taught me the beauty of giving back and the necessity of rising through adversity. [Leadership opportunities] allowed me to foster the same connections and community support that SLI gave to me. At the same time, I faced hardships that tested me in ways I never anticipated—like managing familial loss and the weight of personal struggles.
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was how to ask for help. But the lessons SLI taught me were there. The mentors and workshops they led, taught me resilience is not about enduring alone; it’s about leaning on others, growing through their wisdom, and finding the strength to persevere.
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from SLI is the power of my favorite word: voice. Through its programming, SLI showed me the transformative impact of using my voice—not only to advocate for myself, but to uplift others. Whether I’m speaking up for equitable policies, sharing my story to inspire first-generation students, or navigating the academic world, my voice has become my greatest tool for change.
Beyond academics, SLI taught me to lead and serve with intention…, giving back in the very way SLI invested in me.
As I prepare to graduate this May, I’m filled with hope for what’s ahead. My ultimate dream is to become an immigration attorney based out of South Florida, using my experiences and education to make a tangible impact on immigrant communities. Before law school, I plan to either pursue a Master’s in Higher Education Administration or Business in Virginia to deepen my leadership skills, or move directly to South Florida to work as a Human Rights Investigator or paralegal. No matter the path, my mission remains the same: to advocate for marginalized communities and drive systemic change.
To the donors who make SLI possible: gracias de mi corazón. Your generosity has transformed my life and the lives of so many others. Because of you, I’ve been able to pursue my dreams, grow as a leader, and build a future filled with purpose. Your support empowers us to break barriers, to dream bigger, and to pave the way for those who come after us. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you for believing in me, for supporting students like me, and for helping us create brighter futures.
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Fulfilling an educational dream: Elena, SLI alum
At a VOICE ensemble concert benefiting SLI, SLI alum Elena shared the following about her experiences:
I am excited to share with you all about my SLI experience, but I want you all to know that every student in SLI has an encouraging and unique story. I appreciate you all for allowing me this opportunity to share mine with you tonight.
When I began high school I had a difficult time finding my identity and struggled with knowing what I wanted for my future. My father, who is from Mexico, never had the opportunity to attend college. He has always encouraged me to pursue my education and is my biggest inspiration because of the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication he has shown our family. But growing up, I often wondered if college was even an option for me. I was provided with the opportunity to be part of SLI that allowed me to learn valuable leadership skills, take part in a mentorship program, and receive the support I needed to pursue my education. Through SLI I was able to participate in early college seminars, participate in community service hours, and be part of various leadership initiatives. SLI motivates students into striving for a better future for not only ourselves, but for our community and to be proud of where we come from. SLI helped me embrace my culture and set college and career goals while forming lifelong friendships along the way.
During my junior year of high school, I remember SLI guiding us through the college application process. We were assigned to have 5 colleges that we wanted to apply to, but I felt discouraged and did not think I would be able to continue with SLI. This is where my story is unique. During this time, I was 16 years old and found out I was expecting a child. I remember sitting down with [SLI program directors] to share the news, while I was feeling overwhelmed by the changes in my life and doubting my ability to finish high school or pursue college. SLI came alongside me and encouraged me to continue my education and reminded me that my dreams were still possible. I was focused on achieving academic success, earning my high school diploma, and pursuing college options but becoming a mother sparked a new determination to balance family, education, and a desire to help others just as SLI helped me. With their support I was able to continue to work hard and I was able to finish high school a semester early and graduate with an advanced diploma.
SLI helped prepare me for the college experience and provided me with the opportunity to continue my education. I received my associates degree in human services from Community College and then transferred to University, where I graduated with my bachelor’s in social work. Today I am a community health educator … and a program coordinator through Young Life. Through both of my current jobs I am able to work with supporting families in our community and share my success by helping others. Being a mother and continuing my education has been a challenging yet incredibly rewarding journey and I am deeply grateful for the support I received from SLI.
I appreciate you all for your continued support in allowing me to fulfill my educational dream to be a first generation college student. It is truly an honor to be supported and represented by SLI. Because of this program I am able to now give back and work alongside in our community. You all allow me to have this opportunity and investing in my future not only has supported me but also my son and for that I cannot thank you all enough.
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‘SLI Celebración ’24’ highlights SLI alumni, locally sourced foods, Lua Project
HARRISONBURG, VA – The college access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative event SLI Celebración ’24 highlighted not just delicious foods and drinks, great music and dancing (and more!), but also the successes of its scholars.
Sponsored by many community-minded organizations, businesses, and individuals, and held at Harrisonburg’s stunning downtown venue The Loft at Liberty St., the event included sharing by SLI alumni plus featured a wide variety of foods, wine and donated Three Notch’d beers, dancing to the music of Lua Project, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction.
SLI’s mission is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships. Through collaborations with university and high school staff, faculty, and students, SLI provides college access opportunities throughout high school. In addition, its scholars can become eligible for financial support for college success. Since 2012 SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni) and awarded nearly $700,000 in financial support for students. SLI alumni have attended 25 colleges and universities, primarily in Virginia.
For 2025 SLI has budgeted a record $264,500 for college scholarships, technology grants, and college dual enrollment and Advanced Placement course tuition assistance. DONATE HERE
“SLI provided me with opportunities that shaped my future,” said SLI alum Linda, who plans to begin medical school in 2025. “Being part of SLI opened doors I never knew existed.”
Two other alumni also spoke about their SLI experiences.
“I remember when I first joined SLI in Richmond,” Maria said. “I was a fifteen-year-old newcomer, born and raised in Mexico, who emigrated to the U.S. I knew very little English and for a long time, I thought that college was not an option for me.” READ MARIA’S SPEECH
Now a political science and Hispanic Studies double major, the alum has been active in campus organizations.
“I can proudly say that SLI inspired me not only to attend college but to make a difference and make the most of it,” she said. “I am truly grateful for all the donors who are making this possible for me and for so many other students; you are truly changing our lives and you are making our dreams come true.”
Daniel, a senior nursing student, plans to become a nurse anesthetist. READ DANIEL’S SPEECH
“SLI provided me with the guidance and orientation I needed to tackle the transition from high school to college,” he said. “SLI helped me believe in myself, letting me come across people who truly cared about me and my goals…. The financial contribution that SLI offered me was like a beacon of light for a kid who had sleepless nights over how he would alleviate any of the financial burdens that came with college.”
Also speaking were SLI board members and program directors Carlos Alemán, a professor of communications at James Madison University, Hannah Bowman Hrasky, a teacher at Rocktown High School, and SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, a professor of history at James Madison University.
READ COVERAGE BY THE DAILY NEWS-RECORD
Following the speeches were a Bolivian traditional dance and then dancing to the music of Charlottesville-based Lua Project.
Returning to the SLI event for the third time, Lua performs Mexilachian music, a new style of traditional music inspired by the sounds of Mexico, Appalachia, and the Atlantic Basin. A cultural pollinator, Lua bridges together musical styles from different continents and different centuries. They write about contemporary themes, about families, and communities, of work and loss, but draw on the musical traditions of their own cultural past.
Celebración foods and beverages, coordinated by Jan Henley, were made by A Bowl of Good, Casa Gallardo, El Sol, La Bendición Bakery, La Morena, Merge Coffee Company, Mi Placita, Mi Pueblito 2, and Three Notch’d Brewery, which donated the beer.
Silent auction items included gift cards to the food and drink vendors as well as gift baskets such as the hottest item, a “margarita basket” donated by Montoya. The winner of the 50/50 raffle, former SLI board member Laura Feichtinger McGrath, donated her winnings so that 100 percent of the proceeds would benefit students.
The event was generously sponsored by Bank of the James, Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, Cargill, Eastern Mennonite University, Everence Financial, F&M Bank, Glass & Metals, Harrisonburg City Public Schools, Herr & Co. Building Contractors, InterChange Group, JMU Honors College, LD&B Insurance and Financial Services, Park View Federal Credit Union, Sentara Health, Shining Accounting Services, Steven Toyota, two six seventy7 creative, and SLI founder Peter Iver Kaufman, Christopher & Maria Clymer Kurtz, Dick & Pat Gardner, Phil & Loretta Helmuth, Brent Holsinger & Laura Toni-Holsinger, and Larry Miller & Liz Yoder.
Maria’s Celebración speech:
“To talk about SLI is to talk about resilience, patience, support, love, and individuals willing to help others achieve their dreams.
I remember when I first joined SLI. I was a fifteen-year-old newcomer, born and raised in Mexico, who emigrated to the U.S. I knew very little English and for a long time, I thought that college was not an option for me….
From there, I met people with the same interests, dreams, hopes, and aspirations as me. Thanks to SLI, I improved my writing skills through their early college classes [that] challenged us to step out of our comfort zones by having us write ten-page essays on different topics. Thanks to the SLI program, I learned how to properly write an essay, be critical, analyze, ask questions, and remain unbiased when writing. We also had mentors who were … willing to give us their time, energy, and help, mentors that were more than mentors. To me my mentors were my friends, and my role models. My mentors, Sofia and Alejandra, helped me in every way possible, guiding me through writing long papers and the process of applying for different colleges and scholarships. They were always there for me.
The memories I cherish the most are those SLI meetings we had every month, where we could bring our parents to hear from other parents about the importance of their support and patience. In those meetings, we would first meet and eat together—families, mentors, mentees. It was always such a pleasure because afterward, we would have an Early College session which helped me to prepare for college academically.
I am currently a double major in political science and Hispanic Studies. I have been part of [campus organizations] as well. I initiated a project to provide free menstrual hygiene products at my college, and today, my project has become a reality. I can proudly say that SLI inspired me not only to attend college but to make a difference and make the most of it. I am truly grateful for all the donors who are making this possible for me and for so many other students; you are truly changing our lives and you are making our dreams come true. I am very grateful to SLI and [those] who believed in me from the beginning, as well as to all the donors who are believing in others. Thank you.”
Daniel’s Celebración speech:
“As a SLI scholar, you are given a mentor who is meant to guide you and be someone you can rely on in the terrifying transition from high school to college. As someone who was a bit disorganized, and whose disorganization sometimes proved to cause me issues, I remember the day we had a workshop on things we should get done before applying for college. I remember that I had no clue where to begin, but then my mentor proposed an idea that I still implement even to this day. My mentor told me that whenever I have to get something done, to make a checklist, and cross things off as I get them done. This served 2 purposes, the first being to physically see what I had to get done, and the second being that every time I crossed something off, I would feel a sense of accomplishment. That was in 10th grade, and I am currently a senior at my university who still uses that method. So if I could wrap in my experience as a SLI scholar in one word – it would be guidance
If asked how SLI has helped me with my college goals, the bigger question is what hasn’t SLI done for me? SLI provided me with the guidance and orientation I needed to tackle the transition from high school to college. SLI helped me believe in myself letting me come across people who truly cared about me and my goals. My sister is a SLI alum who recently graduated with her MBA last December. Seeing the impact that SLI had in her life further motivated me to use all the resources that SLI had to offer because I wanted to be just like her. The financial contribution that SLI offered me was like a beacon of light for a kid who had sleepless nights over how he would alleviate any of the financial burdens that came with college. And it is a blessing that continues to this day.
As of right now, I am currently in my last year of nursing school. I have been lucky enough to pursue my passion and am close to achieving this lifelong goal. But my dreams and goals don’t stop there. My short-term goal is to finish nursing school and work in [an] ICU. If I can, I would also like to try out travel nursing for a while and see where the road takes me there. Ultimately, my biggest dream is to become a CRNA (nurse anesthetist). After finding my passion for the world of nursing, anesthesia has been the beacon that I have been getting drawn closer and closer to every day. God willing, I’ll be able to achieve this goal and that way not only fulfill my dreams but the dreams that my parents had when they left their home country more than 23 years ago, which was to see their kids be successful.
If at one point in your life, you ever questioned whether or not your contribution has made a difference, I want you to know that I am living proof that the generosity of all of you has allowed a man with dreams to realize that his dreams could become a reality – that his dreams didn’t just have to be dreams. It’s now a reality that I am blessed enough to be able to live in. You are an inspiration because you all have shown me that we can change the course of someone’s life for the better. I wish to someday be able to repay the kindness and pay it forward to someone else. There is never a day that goes by where I am not thankful for the position that I am in. No matter how hard my classes are, no matter how stressed out exam week makes me, and no matter how many sleepless nights I have spent studying, I am forever grateful to have been given the opportunity in the first place, because I know that all my hard work will pay off. And that opportunity was all thanks to you.”
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SLI alum spotlighted in WPS annual report
SLI alum Jaime is featured in the Winchester Public Schools 2024 annual report.
Now a communications and trainings associate for the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN), Jaime participated in SLI at John Handley High School in Winchester, then earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia.
“SLI positively impacted me by offering resources to help navigate my high school course selection, helping me develop a critical-thinking mindset through college-level seminars, and financially supporting my community college transfer credits and college expenses,” he shared with SLI.
The point person for the VCN’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice commitment, Jaime also supervises a fellowship program that elevates underrepresented students in the environmental sector.
“I see myself in the fellowships,” the annual report quotes him on page 11. “I didn’t have connections to anyone in the field and I was the first person in my family to go to college. We can’t move forward with environmental work if we don’t have different perspectives.”
The complete report is here.
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Richmond SLI mentor leaders recognized at Bonner Center ‘Engage for Change Awards’
Pictured: Emilia Hodal of the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, left, presents a Collaboration for Change Award to SLI student leaders represented by University of Richmond students Ángel-Xavier Elizondo, Luis Montano, and Denis Velazquez-Mondragon. Photo courtesy of the University of Richmond
Scholars Latino Initiative student leaders at the University of Richmond received the Collaboration for Change Award at the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement’s Engage for Change Awards celebration in September.
The award honors a collaborative community-based partnership between campus and community stakeholders, and is given to an individual or group who recognizes the importance of authentic relationships and genuine collaboration to affect change. Criteria include: a sustained commitment to an evolving and iterative relationship over time; partnerships that exemplify collaboration as a process of co-creation; a respect for the knowledge and expertise of all stakeholders; and a demonstrated outcome that reflects mutually shared goals emerging from the partnership.
Accepting the award for SLI were the university’s student-led SLI mentors group co-presidents Denis Velazquez-Mondragon, a Richmond and Oliver Hill Scholar studying cognitive science, psychology, and linguistics (pre-health), and Luis Montano, a Bonner Scholar studying biochemistry and molecular biology major, and treasurer Ángel-Xavier Elizondo, a Bonner Scholar studying philosophy, politics, economics, and law.
“We are motivated by a desire to contribute, foster connections, and create positive, shared growth,” they shared. “The satisfaction of helping others, especially those in the shoes we once wore, and learning from collective experiences drive meaningful interactions.”
The original SLI was founded by Peter Iver Kaufman and others in 2001 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2008 Kaufman brought SLI to the University of Richmond, Virginia, where he holds the George Matthews & Virginia Brinkley Modlin Chair in Leadership Studies, and later to the Shenandoah Valley, where this organization was incorporated in 2012 and became a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its mission is to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships.
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Vasquez joins SLI program team in Winchester
Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has appointed information technology teacher Lenny Vasquez to its program director team at John Handley High School in Winchester.
Along with school counselor and continuing SLI program director Lara Maquera, Vasquez will facilitate SLI’s mission to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships.
“I believe that persistence and determination move students forward regardless of circumstances,” said Vasquez, who teaches in the Shihadeh Innovation Center.
During his keynote address during the SLI graduation ceremony last spring, Vasquez described growing up in the Dominican Republic, emigrating to the U.S. as a teenager, and serving in the Marine Corps for 23 years. He completed a bachelor of science in organizational leadership from Columbia Southern University in 2019, and now lives in Augusta, West Virginia.
“Attending university was an important part of my own story, and I look forward to supporting SLI scholars as they pursue higher education,” he said.
Through collaborations with university and high school staff, faculty, and students, SLI provides college access opportunities throughout high school, plus financial support for college success for students.
“I am delighted to have Lenny join the SLI team,” said Andrea Meador Smith, SLI board member and senior associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and professor of Hispanic Studies at Shenandoah University. “Educators who are SLI program directors have a tremendous impact on the SLI scholars they serve, and Lenny’s personal and professional experiences make him uniquely qualified to be a strong advocate.”
Since 2012 SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni) and has awarded nearly $700,000 in financial support for students. SLI alumni have attended 25 colleges and universities.
SLI is funded by many individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations, including in Winchester. In June 2022 SLI announced the establishment of its endowment made possible by a lead gift from Gerald F. “J.J.” Smith, Jr., and the Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation has funded many SLI technology grants to help Handley students begin college with the technology they need for success.
