Last week, funds were granted to UNM to support students of Mexican origin in pursuit of higher education.
UNM President Bob Frank and Mexican Consul Efren Leyva signed a Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony on campus, representing a collaboration between UNM and the Mexican Consulate to provide for economically challenged students of Mexican descent.
After the announcement, Leyva joined UNM Vice President of Student Affairs Cheo Torres in handing out checks from the IME-Becas Scholarship Program.
The program is funded by the Mexican government to promote students of Mexican descent facing challenging economic situations achieve their higher education goals.
Two specific UNM programs received funds — the College Enrichment and Outreach Program and the Center for English Language and American Culture.
The University had to raise matching funds in order to receive the scholarship, an effort coordinated through both entities.
CEOP has been sponsoring the scholarship since 2011, and considering both IME’s support and UNM’s matching efforts, nearly $100,000 have been raised every year since.
For Andrew Gonzalez, director of the College Enrichment Program, the continued support of the scholarship is a positive reflection on the University.
“It speaks volumes that the institution is invested in the program and said, ‘Yes, we’re going to do this,’” he said, considering the efforts made to coordinate the fundraising.
He also noted that the University showed respect for students by continuing the fund-matching.
Rafael Martinez, a third-year graduate student in American studies and a scholarship recipient, reiterated that sentiment, saying the scholarship benefits him in more than just academics.
“As an out-of-state and undocumented student, it made me realize there was a strong support system for undocumented students in New Mexico,” Martinez said. “That was a big impact. It made me feel welcome.”
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A different scholarship was made available due to the consulate’s donation for students enrolled in CELAC, an intensive language program designed to teach international students academic English.
“There are a lot of Mexican nationals and students of Mexican descent that have career goals aligned with understanding English,” said Paul Edmunds, the director of CELAC. “The number one biggest hurdle is the English language, and the second is finances.”
With this scholarship, CELAC will continue to provide for both those needs.
CELAC and CEOP are just two of a myriad of programs designed to support students who face challenges similar to Martinez’s.
Martinez was born in central Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. when he was four. From there he lived in Los Angeles and received his undergraduate degree in California. He came to UNM to pursue his master’s degree and found an inclusive community that provided for him. Now, he’s pursuing a doctorate and is a mentor in the UNM community.
“At one level it’s providing for the academic success and well-being of students,” he said. “It also does a good job bridging the gap between cultural and financial parameters.”
Finances were initially a big cause of stress for Martinez, he said.
“Going into grad school, just thinking about my schedule and the cost was stressful,” he said.
As a four-year recipient of the scholarship, he has noted a complete perspective change since starting at UNM.
“(The scholarship) has made me conscious that the reason I’m in the place I’m currently at is the resources and people who helped me,” Martinez said. “As a Mexican, undocumented student, knowing all the different parts are coming together to support me as a leader in the community is inspiring.”
Fifty UNM students received the CEOP sponsored scholarship this year and, with the avowed support from UNM, next year the same number of students is slated receive the scholarship.
CELAC provided funding for ten students in its program, and officials say they will continue the scholarship for years to come. Information to apply for both scholarships can be found online on the CEP and CELAC websites.
Brendon Gray is a news reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @notgraybrendon.
