¡¡¡THANK YOU!!! to the 52 people who contributed $46,834.12 to SLI during the Great Community Give, and to the amazing team at the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for making it all happen! Now that the Give has ended, folks still wanting to help make college dreams come true are invited to contribute at vasli.org/donate.
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“I’m really grateful”: Gratitude at the 2026 Winchester SLI Meet & Greet
The students, board members, program directors, and community supporters who attended the Winchester SLI Meet & Greet reflected the heart of SLI’s mission: rallying around college access opportunities for promising young people. SLI supports Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships. The nonprofit collaborates with high school and university faculty,…
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A Night of Appreciation: the 2026 Harrisonburg SLI Meet & Greet
Photo: Harrisonburg SLI program directors and outgoing board members Hannah Bowman Hrasky and Carlos Alemán talk with students during the Meet & Greet in March. Guests at the Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) Meet & Greet in Harrisonburg listened and applauded as SLI scholars and alumni expressed heartfelt thanks for two SLI program directors whose contributions have also included serving on…
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Celebración ’25 highlights SLI community, impact: “I had a destination in mind, but not a road map”
Fajitas and drinks with live music are great reasons to celebrate anytime. But when the Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) community of support gathered this weekend, it was also to celebrate the accomplishments of SLI alumni and SLI’s record year of support for students. A college access nonprofit based in Harrisonburg, SLI hosted its annual “Celebración” on Saturday, November 8. Returning…
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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…
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Harrisonburg SLI Meet & Greet ’25 builds on a “network you can always rely on”
The Harrisonburg SLI Meet & Greet on March 21 celebrated college access by bringing together SLI scholars and alumni, program directors, board members, and community supporters for delicious food and drinks at El Sol Mexican Restaurant. “SLI is a network that you can always rely on,” said SLI alum Yesenia to those gathered, which included representatives of Eastern Mennonite University,…
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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…
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Richmond SLI Meet & Greet Luncheon brings together SLI community
The Richmond SLI Meet & Greet at the University of Richmond on September 21 brought together SLI scholars and their families as well as SLI mentors, board members, and advocates. The event, which was planned by SLI mentors at the university, took place during a SLI Saturday program and featured highlights such as sharing by SLI alumni, a current SLI…
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Winchester SLI Meet & Greet brings together students, board, community
The Winchester SLI Meet & Greet on April 19 celebrated college access by bringing together SLI scholars and alumni, family, board members, and community supporters for delicious food and drinks. Sponsored by Laurel Ridge Community College, Valley Health, and First Bank and hosted by Lolita’s Mexican Restaurant and Bakery, the evening featured speeches by SLI alumni. SLI “helped me so…
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Spring programming at SLI sites include a variety of opportunities, events
SLI programming this spring included unique opportunities at each of its sites, with students experiencing a variety of events including college visits, guest speakers, and more. “Accessing college is no small task,” said Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., SLI board chair and associate dean of James Madison University Honors College. “SLI is proud to support its remarkable scholars as they pursue the…
