For a fourth straight academic year, Cabrini has renewed its commitment to the IME-Becas Scholarship Program offered in partnership with the Mexican Government and Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia. The scholarship program has awarded more than $65,000 since spring 2018, improving access to empowering degree programs for Mexican students and those of Mexican descent living in the United States.
Many of the scholarship recipients received financial aid from the IME-Becas program in consecutive years, supporting students in a consistent, sustainable manner as they finished their degrees.
“One of the greatest gifts I believe someone can give to another person is the opportunity to attend school and get educated rather than receiving materialistic things,” said Leslie Hernandez Vazquez (’22), a Spanish and Psychology graduate. “Materialistic things can get taken away, but knowledge can never get taken away.”
These students also enrich the Cabrini community as campus leaders, working with the Hispanic student group Pura Vida, the Center on Immigration, Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL), and serving as orientation ambassadors.
Many IME-Becas scholarship recipients are the first in their families to attend college and expressed gratitude for the program’s year-over-year support.
“As a first-generation college student, there are times when I become uncertain of my career path,” said Georgina Ramirez Bamaca (’22), a Biology graduate. “This scholarship has been a blessing and I am proud to be able to represent my heritage. It has allowed me, for the past four years, to have a great college experience and has alleviated the financial strain tuition can sometimes cause.”
All Hispanic students on campus have the opportunity to learn from representatives of the campus chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), which provides professional and leadership development, mentorship and networking, as well as career planning and employment opportunities. Last year, students networked with visitors from Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, and Johnson & Johnson, among others.
“If I continue to grow stronger, I can be a source of strength for others,” said Sandra Irene Manrique (’22), a Political Science and Spanish graduate with hopes of becoming an immigration lawyer. “I can reach my goals through hard work and dedication. Now, I want to be a leader who can work for social transformation, social justice, and change.”