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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SLI Annual Report 2026
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“Persistence, passion, and compassion”: SLI welcomes alum Hernandez Austria to board
At the start of its “Million Dollar Año,” the college-access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has welcomed an alum to its board of directors. SLI, which with the support of its community in 2026 is poised to pass the $1 million mark in total financial awards to students since its incorporation in 2012, has announced Jennyfer Hernandez Austria of Chesterfield…
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“The hands and feet of SLI’s mission”: New program directors in Harrisonburg, Winchester include SLI alumna, school counselors
The college access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has announced three new program directors whose leadership will support high school students pursuing college access: Dulce Alonso, a SLI alum and an ESL teacher at Harrisonburg High School, and Sara Shoemaker and Elizabeth Cranford, both counselors at John Handley High School in Winchester. SLI supports Latino/a/x high school students with college…
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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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SLI community of support empowers record-breaking college scholarships and tech grants
[Updated Oct. 23 with new, higher award figures] The college access nonprofit Shenandoah Valley Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has awarded a record level of financial aid to 49 SLI scholars and alumni attending college this fall, funded in part by Valley Health, Sentara Health, F&M Bank, and others. SLI awards announced this summer for the 2025-26 academic year total $217,500,…
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Valley Health grant to support college scholarships for Winchester SLI scholars studying health sciences
Valley Health has awarded a grant of $25,000 to the college-access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) to support Winchester SLI scholars pursuing studies in healthcare careers. 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. Its programs in Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Richmond have served more than 200…
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Sentara Health grant to increase college access, bolster health career pathways for SLI scholars
Sentara Health has awarded a grant to the college-access nonprofit Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) to support students pursuing healthcare-related studies. The $5,000 grant, which brings Sentara’s support for SLI to more than $130,000 since 2022, 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…
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“Just getting started”: Graduating SLI scholars announce college plans
SLI scholars graduating from high school this spring have been admitted to leading colleges and universities in Virginia and beyond. After reviewing all their options and talking with their SLI program directors, school counselors, and family members, scholars have committed to attend such schools as Eastern Mennonite University, George Mason University, Illinois Institute of Technology, James Madison University, Old Dominion…
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Matching funds, community propel SLI past initial goal in the Great Community Give
More than 40 donors and an anonymous matching funds gift raised more than $14,000 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,…
