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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 scholar, and a SLI summer instructor.

    The student-led mentors group provides a variety of on-campus college access and social activities for SLI scholars in high school, such as Saturday’s leaf-drawing project.

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    PBMares grant to support financial stability, economic success for SLI scholars

    PBMares Cares Philanthropic has awarded SLI a grant to support college access as a pathway to financial stability and economic success. The $5,000 grant will help fund SLI’s mission to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships. 

    “College access changes lives for the better,” said SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya. “I am grateful to PBMares for their generous grant, which will support students who are pursuing careers that will lead to greater economic success and financial stability for them, their families, and our communities.”

    Through collaborations with university and high school staff, faculty, and students, SLI provides college access opportunities to students throughout high school, such as “Early College” seminars, leadership development and community service activities, college access events for students and families, and assistance with applying to college. SLI also provides financial support for college success. 

    Since 2012 SLI has offered programming and financial support for 201 SLI scholars, including more than $542,000 in college scholarships, technology grants, and financial assistance for dual enrollment and Advanced Placement coursework. 

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    SLI scholars among top ten graduates

    At their high school graduation ceremony on May 30, 2024, SLI scholars Isabella and Paula were recognized as among the top 10 of their graduating class of 206 students.

    Isabella was ranked 4th, with a GPA of 4.60. She will study political science and pre-law to become an attorney, an interest that was already developing early in her high school career.

    “Something that I’ll miss about SLI is the friendships that I made along the way, as well as all the mentorship and all of the support that I received through Dr. Kaufman and various people within the program,” she said in a recent interview.

    Paula, who was ranked 9th, had a GPA of 4.31. She will study biology and pre-medicine, to become a nurse.

    As a high school sophomore, she called SLI “a life changer,” and this spring she shared this advice for students following in her footsteps: “I would recommend actually trying on your essays [in SLI Early College] because as time goes by you can look back at your old essays and then you can see how much you’ve improved.”

    SLI is generously funded by the Herndon Foundation, the SLI Founder’s Fund, and many others in the SLI Community of Support. Programming is led by SLI founder Peter Iver Kaufman, Ph.D., a professor at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, and her school’s LIEP teacher & department chair Ester Orellana.

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    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.”

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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 much,” said Sofía, who will graduate soon from an accelerated nursing program. “I honestly couldn’t have done it without SLI. They really supported my goals, and I am very grateful for that.”

    During the event, Gerald F. “J.J.” Smith, Jr. was recognized for funding 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.

    SLI leaders were also introduced, including SLI board chair Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., associate dean of the James Madison University Honors College, and local board members:

    • Diana Patterson, owner of DSP Services
    • Bryan Pearce-Gonzales, Ph.D., department chair and professor of hispanic studies at Shenandoah University
    • Andrea Meador Smith, Ph.D., associate dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Shenandoah University, and
    • Veronique N. Walker, Ed.D., L.P.C., N.C.C., the equity and family empowerment coordinator for Winchester Public Schools.

    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 180 scholars (67 current and 113 alumni) and awarded more than $542,000 in financial support for students. SLI scholars have attended 24 colleges and universities.

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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 higher education they so keenly desire and merit.”

    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. SLI is a community-based, not-for-profit organization built on partnerships with high schools, universities, communities, students, and parents. Dedicated to advancing Latinx students’ post-high school educational opportunities, SLI advocates for Latinx opportunities and strives for social justice and equity. Scholars – currently there are 67 – are mentored to be leaders that positively contribute to their communities. 

    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, which since 2012 has included more than $542,000 in college scholarships, technology awards, and dual enrollment and AP course tuition assistance.

    SLI program directors Hannah Bowman Hrasky, a teacher, and Carlos Alemán, Ph.D., a professor at James Madison University, develop and coordinate academic, leadership, and mentorship activities for their local SLI scholars. SLI Early College is one program where students meet twice monthly after school for college planning updates, reflective writing exercises, and college-level discussions. This spring, student teams researched Latina girlhood as represented in mass media targeting audiences ages 10-14 years.

    SLI on Saturday is another program, with monthly gatherings held on a university campus and built around themes of community and civic engagement, cultural identity and empowerment, and healthy relationships and well-being. The April meeting (pictured below) invited university student mentors, to present a Women’s History Month-centered program. Activities promoted empowerment and solidarity for Latinx women, a crash course on intersectionality, and writing letters of appreciation to inspiring women in the students’ lives.

    Several ad hoc events in April were also developed to meet student needs and interests. SLI partnered with the NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center to host an exclusive workshop featuring immigration attorney Steven Smith and social work intern Catalina Marquez, who provided information and answered questions about family petitions to scholars and their parents. Many scholars also participated in a “shadow day” organized and hosted by university mentors that included attending classes with college mentors, major-specific guided campus tours, visiting student support spaces, meeting with professors, and experiencing a typical college day. Finally, scholars served their community by volunteering at La Fiesta, an annual food and game fair for children and families at an elementary school.

    Another SLI program is led by SLI founder Peter Iver Kaufman, Ph.D., a professor at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, and teacher Ester Orellana. University students act as mentors of the SLI high school students, routinely offering mentor-mentee bonding activities.

    In March nine high school freshmen were welcomed as the newest local cohort at an induction gathering of approximately 80 that included all current SLI scholars, family members, and guest speakers Ricardo Jofre and Kathryn Perez, an alumna of SLI in North Carolina. In April, scholars and their families gathered for a graduation celebration, which included a speech by SLI alumnus Mateo ’21. The event will be further featured in an upcoming news release.

    Early College programming featured readings, with essays to come this summer. SLI alumni have described the required academic writing for Early College as a “crazy” amount of work but “worth it, definitely” – and helpful for both high school and college success.

    “‘Wow!’” SLI alumnus Onesimo ’20 said he realized in his first writing class in college. “I could tell, seeing my other peers, that I was pretty much ahead of them because of SLI.”

    In addition, school counselors Lara Maquera and Elizabeth Cranford are the SLI program directors at SLI’s third site, where this spring SLI scholars worked on College 101 Workbooks and shared research about colleges they are considering attending. 

    Guest speakers included a university admissions director, who shared practical information about the college application process, and Valley Health hiring manager Lisa Spencer, who discussed academic and training paths that can lead to careers in the medical field. 

    SLI has “allowed me to get a feel for what to expect in college,” SLI scholar Pablo ’25 said in a feature about SLI in a March publication. “Honestly, I would be lost [without it] because SLI has helped me visit different types of colleges and meetings related to programs offered.”

    The program was highlighted during a Meet & Greet at Lolita’s Mexican Restaurant and Bakery on April 19. Sponsored by Laurel Ridge Community College, Valley Health, and First Bank, the event provided opportunities to meet SLI scholars and alumni, board members, donors, and other community members.

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    Outgoing board leaders recognized as “integral” to SLI’s growth

    SLI has recognized the extensive service and leadership of two board of director executives who exited their roles at the end of 2023.

    Jason Good, Ph.D., joined the board in 2018 and served as board chair from 2019 through 2022. Brent Holsinger, M.Ed., joined the board in 2015, was chiefly tasked with board member development starting in 2016, and served as secretary 2018-23. 

    During their terms of service, SLI celebrated its first decade as a Virginia nonprofit, increased its scholarship opportunities, established an endowment, hired SLI’s inaugural managing director, and continued SLI’s upward trajectory of impact. Since 2012 SLI has served 180 scholars (67 current and 113 alumni) and awarded more than $542,000 in financial support for students, including more than $147,000 in 2023 alone.

    “Jason and Brent were integral in helping lay the foundation that has resulted in SLI’s remarkable growth over the last five years,” said Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., SLI board chair and associate dean of James Madison University Honors College. “Their leadership paved the way for our continued, increasing support for students navigating college access opportunities.”

    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. Under SLI’s model of service, 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. 

    “Jason and Brent were champions of SLI’s mission,” said Carlos Alemán, Ph.D, SLI board vice chair and program director and a JMU professor in residence at Harrisonburg City Public Schools. “Each uniquely understood the talents and needs of first-generation college students and Latinx families in our region and brought that expertise to our organization.”

    Good relocated from Virginia in 2021 to be vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Prior to his move, he served as vice president for innovation and student recruitment at Eastern Mennonite University, director of locum tenens at CT Assist, director of study abroad at JMU, and director of admissions and in additional capacities at EMU. He holds a doctor of philosophy in Hispanic studies from La Universidad de Cádiz in Spain, where he also earned a master of arts degree in Hispanic studies–multicultural and intercultural studies. He received a post-master graduate certificate in college student personnel administration from JMU, and his bachelor of science degrees in sociology and environmental science are from EMU.

    The chair and founder and former president of On the Road Collaborative, Holsinger is the program manager for Virginia Partnership for Out of School Time. He has served on the Harrisonburg City School Board, founded and directed Beyond the Bell–Harrisonburg, was a teaching fellow and campus director for Citizen Schools, and was a corps member of City Year. He holds a master of education degree with a specialization in out-of-school learning and leadership from Lesley University, and a bachelor of science degree in business administration–finance from University of Richmond. He now lives in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

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    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.”

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    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.”

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    Meet Onesimo ’20, SLI scholar

    Onesimo ’20 studied political science and history and graduated with cords of distinction.

    I was surprised by how difficult sometimes it is to get into college, because it feels that once you’re there, it becomes certainly easier because you have a community and there are resources and people who pretty much are in charge of making you feel welcome and working for you, towards your success. So yeah, I was surprised by the huge contrast between how hard is to get into college, all the barriers that exist, all the bureaucracy, and especially when you’re first generation, it’s even harder because you have no idea how to go. Once you’re [in college] it’s more accessible than getting into it, actually.

    I remember my freshman, sophomore, and even junior year, I was pretty skeptical if going to college was going to be a reality for me, but once I saw Julia ’19, Mariel ’19, and Constanza ’19 actually getting into college and doing well in their first year, I was like, “Okay, so it’s possible.”

    I guess some advice for all the people who are students right now in SLI is that sometimes it’s crazy, the amount of work you have to do, especially if you’re working with [SLI Founder] Peter. You have to do a lot of papers, you have to read a lot, but at the end is worth it, definitely. It not only helps you with your work in high school because you definitely get an advantage, you get ahead of your peers in high school, but you definitely get another advantage once you get to college. Either in your critical skills or your writing skills or written skills, you’ll definitely see the results.

    A year after I arrived [in the United States] I started in SLI, in high school. Reflecting to that, it’s been great, it’s been a lot.

    SLI was a great experience for me. I felt that it prepared me pretty well for my college experience in every aspect. I was able to improve my English skill set. I mean, when I came here I barely knew English, so that was one thing. I was also inspired by all my mentors and developed my curiosity and critical thinking skills, too, so that was pretty good, too.

    When I came here and I took my first writing class in college, I realized, Wow, yeah – I could tell, like seeing my other peers, that I was pretty much ahead of them because of SLI, and because of the work I did before coming here. That was definitely something I was really like happy about it. So yeah, SLI was definitely great for me.

    When I got here [to college] I was shy, definitely, and more timid. I became more confident in my skills and in myself as a person. I learned more about the Latino culture here in the U.S. I got to know and become friends of a bunch of new Hispanic people and at this point they’re like my brothers and sisters and family, pretty much, because of the same situations we face and like sharing the great things about our culture, like our food and music.

    I feel I’ve become more understanding, humane, and empathetic toward my community and toward all the other BIPOC communities, immigrant communities as a whole, so I think that’s something that my experience in college taught me and I learned through here, to be more humane, more empathetic, and definitely proactive towards these communities, towards the issues that we face in this society.

    That was the first thing I did when I got [to college] was be involved with [the Latino Student Alliance]. I eventually became their co-president. That was a fun experience and now, towards my senior year, I became more involved with [Student Government Association], like a bigger picture club.

    I’ve been involved with a bunch of clubs and orgs here on campus. It’s been definitely a learning experience for me, getting to know and interact with all these different people and get to know them better and form new friendships.

    My main major was political science, and then I took a couple history classes and I realized, Oh wow, political science and history work pretty well together, and I ended up adding the history major, too.

    I had a chance to take a couple Spanish courses with a focus on Latin American politics, and about like social movements and dictatorships in Latin America and it was great definitely, a good experience.

    Playing soccer here was fun, to play four years, to connect with new people. I pretty much learned a lot about leadership and put into practice some skills, too, that was great, too. Overall it was a pretty good season for us. We did a bunch of good stuff this year, so that was good.

    [Approaching graduation] is kind of bittersweet. It’s exciting definitely because it’s a transition time and actually I am excited to see and put into actual practice all the skills that I’ve learned here, all the theory and academic work, and actually interact with people from my community, so that’s pretty exciting, too, but at the same time kind of sad, definitely, since I think this college was definitely a great fit for me. I’m going to be leaving a couple friendships here.

    Now I’m thinking about what I’m going to do. I’m definitely applying to a couple grad school programs. I’m not sure if I’m going to go right into it after undergrad. I might work for a year or a couple months and get a sense of the work. We’ll see from there.