• All Posts,  Harrisonburg,  Richmond,  SLI News,  Winchester

    SLI sets new record for college scholarship support

    Sentara Health and F&M Bank help support students studying health and business

    Shenandoah Valley Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has awarded a record level of financial aid to 45 SLI scholars and alumni attending college this fall. 

    A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, SLI 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 to SLI scholars throughout high school.

    Awards for the new academic year total $157,500 and include a $6,000 college scholarship and $1,250 technology grant each for 14 high school class of 2024 SLI scholars for their first year of college, plus $56,000 in college scholarships for 31 SLI alumni continuing their undergraduate studies. 

    Of the 45 recipients, 24 are entering health related studies, six are entering business and entrepreneur-related studies, and 15 are studying computer science, education, engineering, foreign affairs, political science, and other fields. A grant from Sentara Health is helping to fund awards for students in health related studies, and a grant from F&M Bank is helping to fund students with interest in business and entrepreneurship. 

    “The unique support of these local grants helps us to communicate to students the value of reaching out and actively searching for individuals and institutions that will support them in their own academic interests, career aspirations, and life goals,” said Carlos Alemán, Ph.D., professor of communication at James Madison University and one of SLI’s program directors in Harrisonburg.

    Since 2012 SLI has served 201 scholars, including 71 current and 130 alumni. As of this fall its scholars will have attended 25 colleges and universities, and SLI financial support for students now totals nearly $700,000. 

    “Looking back, my time as a SLI scholar played an extraordinary role in my life by giving me the glimpses of a future that could possibly be mine,” said Anna, a SLI alumna and 2024 scholarship recipient. 

    Now in her second year majoring in commerce with a minor in Korean and concentrations in information technology and finance, she said experiencing imposter syndrome has made her stronger.

    “I gradually began to use my insecurities as a means of perseverance rather than hindrance,” she said. “I transformed my mindset from one that made me feel inferior into one that gave me the strength I needed to push forward and excel.”  

    In addition to financially supporting its scholars with college scholarships and technology grants, SLI provides its scholars with tuition assistance for college dual enrollment and AP courses while in high school.

    “It is an honor to be part of the SLI community standing with students who are pursuing life-changing opportunities in higher education,” said Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., SLI board chair and professor of history at James Madison University. “Many individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations, and certainly partners such as Sentara and F&M Bank, are cheering on these students as they overcome barriers.”

    Twenty-four of the scholarships awarded for the 2024-25 academic year are supported in part by the Sentara grant to support students pursuing health related studies and careers (vasli.org/sentara).

    Six scholarships are supported in part by F&M Bank SLI Scholar College Awards for students pursuing business and entrepreneur-related studies and careers (vasli.org/fmbank).

    Additional scholarships were awarded to fifteen students studying education, electrical engineering, history, political science, computer science, and more.

    SLI is a community-based, 501(c)(3) public charity built on partnerships with high schools, universities, communities, students, and parents, and dedicated to advancing Latinx students’ post-high school educational opportunities. SLI advocates for Latinx opportunities and strives for social justice and equity. Scholars are mentored to be leaders that positively contribute to their communities.

  • All Posts,  Harrisonburg,  Richmond,  SLI News,  Winchester

    SLI awards $143,000 this summer for college scholarships, tech

    Sentara Health and F&M Bank help fund health and business career studies;
    JustPax Fund and the Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation support computer awards

    Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) has awarded $143,000 in financial aid to 32 graduating scholars and SLI alumni from Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester who are attending college this fall. These new awards and previous SLI financial support for students since 2012 now total more than $535,000. 

    This summer’s awards include $87,000 for a $6,000 college scholarship and $1,250 computer award for each of the 12 graduating SLI scholars for their first year of college (vasli.org/grads), plus $56,000 in SLI Raíces Brillantes scholarships for 20 SLI alumni. 

    Along with many additional individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations in SLI’s community of support, scholarship funders include Sentara Health and F&M Bank, and computer award funders include the JustPax Fund and the Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation.

    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. 

    SLI financially supports its scholars through college scholarships, computer awards for purchasing technology needed to start college, and tuition assistance for taking dual enrollment college and AP courses while in high school.

    Since 2012 SLI has served 159 scholars, including 46 current and 113 alumni. Before this summer it had already paid more than $392,000 in financial support for SLI scholars, who will now have attended 24 colleges and universities.

    “It is SLI’s honor to support students accessing higher education,” said Fawn-Amber Montoya, Ph.D., SLI board chair and associate dean of the Honors College at James Madison University. “We are proud of our SLI scholars, and grateful for the outpouring of support from Sentara, F&M Bank, the JustPax Fund, the Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation, and so many others in our communities who have generously donated to make these scholarships and technology awards available.”

    Eighteen of the scholarships awarded this summer are in part funded by Sentara, which provided $30,000 for Sentara SLI Scholar College Awards for students pursuing health related studies and careers (vasli.org/sentara).

    Three scholarships are in part funded by F&M Bank, which has provided $15,000 for F&M Bank SLI Scholar College Awards for students pursuing business and entrepreneur-related studies and careers (vasli.org/fmbank).

    Additional SLI college scholarship awards supported students studying environmental sciences, education, political science, homeland security, foreign affairs, computer science, and more.