• SLI News

    Beck joins SLI board of directors

    The college-access nonprofit Shenandoah Valley Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has welcomed Stephanie Beck to its board of directors. 

    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. It also provides financial support for college success.

    “As a mother of two, a veteran, a proud Latina, and a first-generation American, Beck brings with her a deep passion for creating inclusive and equitable work environments for all,” said SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., associate dean of the Honors College at James Madison University. “I look forward to seeing how Stephanie will impact the students we serve.”

    The diversity and inclusion program manager for CarMax, Beck has been a connecting point for SLI through her previous positions as senior human resources specialist for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Dominion Energy and diversity and inclusion specialist at Genworth Financial, where she first learned about SLI. 

    In January 2021 Beck and three other Genworth employees met virtually with SLI scholars to share about their experiences pursuing college degrees and careers. 

    “We felt so inspired,” she reflected afterward. “I hope we can continue to help the students in a way that motivates them to keep striving for success.”

    Beck earned her master’s degree in human resource management from the University of Richmond and bachelor of arts degree in communication studies with a concentration in organizational communication and minor in journalism from Montclair State University. She received her Diversity and Inclusion for HR credential from Cornell University, and is certified by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) as an inclusive workplace culture specialist. She served in the United States Air Force, specifically the Air National Guard, as a personnel specialist and unit training manager, and is on the Richmond SHRM Board of Directors position as the Director of Collaborative and E-Learning.

    Since 2012 SLI has served 180 scholars (67 current and 113 alumni) and awarded more than $542,000 in financial support for students  in college scholarship awards, computer awards, and dual enrollment tuition assistance. Its alumni have attended 24 colleges and universities, including Beck’s alma mater the University of Richmond, where SLI founder Peter Iver Kaufman leads SLI efforts.

    “When I was in Mexico, I always wanted to go to college, that was one of my dreams,” SLI alum Maria recalled in a recent interview. “But when I came to the US, that dream changed […and] I didn’t see a future for it until I knew about SLI.” She attended a SLI meeting and met Kaufman, who asked if she wanted to be part of SL – “and that’s when my dream came into life again, because I knew that there was hope.”

  • SLI News

    Second Sentara Health grant to increase college access, bolster health career pathways for SLI scholars

    Sentara Health has awarded a second grant of $60,000 to the college-access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI). 

    The grant will help provide college access opportunities for students to gain awareness of their college and career options, including those in health care, plus support college scholarships for SLI scholars who are pursuing health-related studies and careers. 

    A previous grant from Sentara supported SLI programming in 2023, plus scholarships for 18 SLI scholars and alumni pursuing health-related studies and careers including health information management, biology, clinical laboratory science, neuroscience, nursing, psychology, biomedical engineering, occupational therapy, medical Spanish, speech pathology, biotech science, and computer engineering.

    A response to medical staff shortages plaguing the U.S. healthcare system, the grants are part of Sentara efforts to create a pipeline for young students to their desired healthcare careers while also positively impacting their community’s economics and health equity outcomes.

    In addition to helping to fund SLI scholarships, Sentara has provided eye-opening opportunities through SLI programming. In December, Sentara professionals shared their expertise in promoting salud y comunidad, or health and community. Sentara physician assistant Leodegario Alonso provided the keynote address, sharing about persistence on his career journey, and encouraging students to forge their own pathways. 

    “It is very powerful to have someone like Leo, who looks like the scholars, share a story that resonates with them and inspires them to continue on their career path,” said Silvia Garcia-Romero, director of Diversity & Inclusion at Sentara, who also participated. “These experiences are so impactful and make a difference in Latino career advancement, and this is why we are proud to be a partner and support SLI’s work.” 

    A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, SLI creates college access opportunities through collaborations with public school teachers and local university faculty, staff, and student mentors. SLI also offers financial assistance to its scholars, since 2012 providing more than $542,000 in college scholarship awards, computer awards, and dual enrollment and Advanced Placement tuition assistance. SLI alumni have attended 24 colleges and universities.

    “This new grant from Sentara will help propel SLI scholars into health-related careers,” said SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya. “It is SLI’s honor to be part of the community that is supporting their professional journeys.”

  • SLI News

    SLI board of directors welcomes new members, leadership

    Pictured from left: Lourdes Sandoval, MSW, and Andrea Smith, Ph.D., are new members of the Scholars Latino Initiative board of directors, and Carlos Alemán, Ph.D., is the new vice chair.

    The college-access nonprofit Shenandoah Valley Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has welcomed two members to its board of directors, and appointed a new vice chair. 

    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, plus financial support for college success.

    The new directors are Lourdes Sandoval, MSW, of Reston and Andrea Meador Smith, Ph.D., of Winchester, and the newly appointed vice chair is Carlos Alemán, Ph.D, of Harrisonburg. They have diverse backgrounds in higher education and social services. 

    “Supporting SLI’s mission through board service means providing opportunities for our youth to achieve their dreams as future leaders!” said Sandoval, a senior case manager at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, where she has also served as senior accounting coordinator and refugee health education and outreach liaison. She earned her master of social work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor of science in public health with a minor in human services from West Virginia University. 

    Smith is associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Shenandoah University, where she is also Professor of Hispanic Studies and serves as an NCAA faculty athletics representative.

    “I first learned about SLI 10 years ago, when I started recommending my students to serve as mentors,” she said. “I have been fortunate to work with vibrant, committed, and successful students from SLI since then, and am excited to further support SLI’s mission by joining the board. I look forward to getting to know the many promising Handley High School students and their leaders in the months ahead.”

    Smith’s current research addresses representations of race and gender in Latin American film, and at the local level, she is a film screener and board member for Skyline Indie Film Fest. 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.

    Alemán is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at James Madison University and has served as a SLI board member and program director since 2012. He received his doctorate in communication studies at the University of Iowa and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech communication at California State University in Fresno. 

    “SLI scholars are changing the world as they grow into leaders, artists, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and scientists – and that inspires all of us to stay true to our mission,” he said. “Walking with these first-generation students as they embrace the challenges and opportunities of college access opens our eyes to the beauty of their will and the strengths of our communities.”

    SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., associate dean of the Honors College at James Madison University, welcomed the experiences and expertise that Sandoval and Smith bring to their new board service, and the opportunity to share board leadership with Alemán. 

    “As SLI continues its second decade, we look forward to continuing our young legacy of supporting students in our communities who are pursuing life-changing college access,” she said.

    Since 2012 SLI has served 180 scholars (67 current and 113 alumni) and awarded more than $542,000 in financial support for students  in college scholarship awards, computer awards, and dual enrollment tuition assistance. Its alumni have attended 24 colleges and universities.

    “Not only did [SLI] equip me with a wealth of knowledge about higher education, but it also instilled a sense of belonging within me,” said a SLI scholar who is now studying public health and data science. “Often, students from underrepresented backgrounds experience feelings of displacement or inadequacy. I would say SLI encouraged me to apply for other Hispanic college programs, volunteer opportunities, and colleges because it made me feel worthy of these opportunities.”

  • Events,  SLI News

    From healthcare to space, SLI scholars explore college and career opportunities to “make our world a better place”

    Approximately 60 high school and college students attended an annual College and Career Access Day, which for the first time featured local health professionals sharing their expertise in promoting salud y comunidad, or health and community. 

    “Young people are more motivated than ever to make our world a better place as leaders, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and scientists,” said Carlos Alemán, Ph.D, a professor in residence and a SLI program director. “Connecting first-generation high school students with the resources to pursue these ambitions and careers through higher education is an invigorating experience.”

    Additional support for the event came from Sentara Health through a grant that earlier this year also helped fund SLI scholarships for 18 SLI scholars currently pursuing college degrees in health-related fields. For College and Career Access Day, Sentara provided access to employees who shared with students about healthcare professions and opportunities. They included:

    • Silvia Garcia-Romero, Director, Diversity & Inclusion
    • Onesimo Baltazar Corona, Director of Operations (Harrisonburg), Sentara Community Care
    • Gladys Zito, Language Services Coordinator
    • Mayra Gavia Molina, Registered Nurse
    • Zulma Argueta, Community Health Worker

    In addition, Sentara physician assistant Leodegario Alonso provided the keynote address, sharing about persistence on his career journey, and encouraging students to forge their own pathways. Alonso holds degrees from Eastern Mennonite University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Before becoming a physician assistant, he worked as a radiologic technologist, Futuro Latino Coalition specialist, medical interpreter, and United States Army Reserve drill sergeant.

    “It is very powerful to have someone like Leo, who looks like the scholars, share a story that resonates with them and inspires them to continue on their career path,” said Garcia-Romero. “These experiences are so impactful and make a difference in Latino career advancement, and this is why we are proud to be a partner and support SLI’s work.” 

    Participating SLI scholars were also invited to explore how to use medical equipment such as blood pressure monitors, CPR masks, and digital thermometers. They then toured the university campus and were treated to lunch.

    Academic exploration sessions connected students with professors who shared about their curricula and areas of expertise. Topics and presenters included:

    • Graduate Studies Opportunities, Melissa Alemán, Ph.D.
    • Foreign Languages and Cultures, Verónica Davila Ellis, Ph.D.
    • Communication and Relations, Reslie Cortés, Ph.D.
    • Space and Physics, Prayash Sharma Pyakurel, Ph.D.
    • Immigration and Justice, Graciela Perez, Ph.D.
    • Politics and Political Science, Kristin Wylie, Ph.D.

    ABOUT SLI

    Scholars Latino Initiative supports 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, plus financial support for college success. Since 2012 SLI has served 180 scholars (67 current and 113 alumni) and awarded more than $542,000 in financial support for students.

  • Great Community Give and SLI
    Events,  Expressions of Gratitude,  SLI News

    Thank you, Great Community Give friends!

    Educators shared why they support SLI, SLI scholars provided testimonials, and donors, eager to empower local Latino/x students who dream of going to college, responded during the 2020 Great Community Give.

    More than 70 people and educators who pledged matching funds donated more than $11,000 (in most cases giving extra to cover platform and payment fees!).

    THANK YOU!

    Ongoing donations are gratefully welcomed at vasli.org/donate.

    Educators pledging Great Community Give matching funds included:

    • Pete Bsumek, Professor, James Madison University
    • Christopher Clymer Kurtz, former teacher, Rockingham County Public Schools
    • Lara Coggin, Ph.D., ESOL Teacher, Richmond Public Schools
    • Amber Corriston, Dance Specialist, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
    • Mike Davis, Executive Advisor to the President, James Madison University
    • John A. Downey, Ph.D., President, Blue Ridge Community College
    • Andrew Dudley Barnes, Lecturer, James Madison University
    • *Jason Good, Vice President for Innovation and Student Recruitment, Eastern Mennonite University
    • *Laura Feichtinger-McGrath, Director of EL Services and Title III, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
    • Suzanne Fiederlein, Ph.D., Interim Director, CISR, James Madison University
    • MarthaJune Graber, Retired Spanish Teacher
    • Susan Huxman, Ph.D., President, Eastern Mennonite University
    • Pat Lintner, Chief Academic Officer, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
    • Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Honors College, James Madison University
    • Jenna Martin-Trinka, Reading Specialist, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
    • C. Leigh Nelson, Ph.D., Professor, James Madison University
    • *Bryan Pearce-Gonzales, Professor of Hispanic Studies, Shenandoah University
    • *Tom Robb, Math Teacher and SLI Program Director, Winchester Public Schools
    • Kirk Shisler, Vice President for Advancement, Eastern Mennonite University
    • Ann St. Clair Lesman, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Shenandoah University
    • Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent, Winchester Public Schools
    • Anda Weaver, School Counselor, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
    • Philip Yutzy, Spanish Teacher, Instructional Team Leader, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
    • Margot Marie Zahner, Director, Great Oak Academy, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
    • and anonymous supporters

    *Member, SLI Board of Directors

  • SLI News

    Cheer for SLI scholars

    Intense grit and determination are staple attributes of SLI scholars, to an inspiring degree. In this pandemic, perhaps all of us need more of these – along with copious amounts of moral support and friendship. 

    Even as schools are closed for the academic year and college admissions offices are figuring out how to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, SLI is committed to its scholars. 

    Until we can again serve our scholars in person, we’re doing what we can – through social media and online writing and reading assignments, for example. And donors continue to step up to fund the college scholarships, computer awards, and dual enrollment tuition assistance that SLI scholars are counting on for this fall.

    Thanks!

    P.S. Want more ideas for helping SLI?

    • Tell your friends about SLI. Invite them to like or follow SLI on Facebook and Twitter, connect with SLI on LinkedIn, and join our email list.
    • Continue to support SLI online or by mailing checks to P.O. Box 1245, Harrisonburg, Va. 22803. Consider pledging a recurring gift here!
  • SLI News

    You have been on our minds: A letter from the SLI Board of Directors

    Estimados Participantes de SLI, Alumnos y Donantes,

    Mientras que nos encontramos en esta época de pandemia, la junta directiva de SLI ha estado pensando mucho en todos ustedes. Esperamos que sus familias estén bien de salud y les deseamos lo mejor durante esta crisis.

    Queremos saber cómo están y qué necesitan durante esta época difícil. También les animamos a ser líderes en sus comunidades y compartir la información sobre la pandemia con sus familias y su comunidad. Dado que ésta es una situación que evoluciona rápidamente, la información se irá actualizando a medida que se encuentre disponible. Para ver la información más reciente de nuestro estado y de la Organizacíon Mundial de Salud, visiten los sitios https://vlab.virginia.gov y https://www.who.int/ para leer sobre las recomendaciones de controlar la propagación del virus COVID-19 y dónde se pueden encontrar programas estatales y federales con recursos de préstamos o beneficios de desempleo.

    Las metas de SLI son aún más urgentes durante esta crisis y la interrupción por COVID-19 ha creado situaciones graves para muchas de nuestras familias. Queremos comunicarles que aunque los esfuerzos de recaudar fondos se han tenido que suspender esta primavera, las donaciones generosas de nuestros donantes de SLI sostendrán todos los compromisos financieros a nuestros participantes de SLI.

    Recuerden que aquí estamos para apoyarlos en cualquier manera que podamos.

    Sinceramente,
    La Junta Directiva de Scholars Latino Initiative

    Dear SLI scholars, alumni, and supporters,

    As we each face challenges in this time of pandemic, you especially have been on our minds. We hope for good health for you and your families, and for renewed energy for pursuing your goals.

    We invite you to be in touch with us, to let us know how you are doing and what needs you are facing. We encourage you to be leaders in your community during this time. Please share resources with your friends and family to stay updated on the most recent recommendations to collaboratively help stop the spread of COVID-19 and seek economic relief from federal and state programs. For information in English and in Spanish, please visit Governor Northam’s Latino Advisory Board website and the World Health Organization website.

    SLI’s mission is even more critical in light of the COVID-19 disruptions to the educational pursuits of SLI scholars. Although spring fundraising events have been postponed, we are grateful for SLI’s many supporters whose generous financial contributions will sustain SLI’s commitments to our scholars.

    Sincerely,
    The Scholars Latino Initiative Board of Directors

    Jason Good, chair, and Karina Kline-Gabel, chair elect
    [email protected]
  • SLI News

    SLI is a community of support for “truly exceptional” scholars

    For the tenacious SLI scholars preparing to be the first in their families to attend college, the coronavirus pandemic is merely another source of deeply felt anxiety and uncertainty. 

    Carlos Alemán, SLI program director and JMU professor

    “The social uncertainty and isolation of our coronavirus moment is not too far off the everyday reality of many SLI students and their families,” said SLI program director and JMU professor Carlos Alemán. “The first-generation students we’re working with are truly exceptional in their abilities to move toward college given everything else that’s happening in their lives.” 

    When you donate to SLI, you are providing encouragement, strength, and a way forward for SLI scholars.

    “SLI has always been a community of people that care for me and encourage me to reach out when I need help,” said SLI alum and supporter Sarah ’16, who is studying economics and political science at Tidewater Community College.

    Thank you for being part of the community that surrounds SLI’s highly motivated and determined scholars even – especially – in this difficult time.