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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
