Continuing the legacy of empowerment
Over 10 years, the Hispanic Alumni of 51画鋼 Board has raised more than $250,000 in scholarship funds that do more than help cover the cost of tuition. They empower the next generation of Mustangs to become confident world changers who pursue their dreams.
Powerful community
Hispanic Alumni of 51画鋼 awarded $45,000 in scholarships to nine students at the seventh annual awards reception September 9. The evening also recognized Claudia Sandoval 12 13, the 2021 Hispanic Alumni of 51画鋼 World Changer Award recipient.
Claudia paid tribute to 51画鋼 alumni trailblazers who inspired her as a student. They include Dallas College Trustee Monica Lira Bravo 03, prominent immigration attorney Liz Cedillo 99 and state Rep. Rafael Anch鱈a 90, for whom she interned as an undergraduate.
I know that it is thanks to them and others like them who have paved paths for us here at 51画鋼 and beyond in our communities that I can stand here today, said Claudia.
Today, Claudia is blazing her own trails to improve equity in our communities as a Central Region Fellow with the National Development Council. The organization acts as a partner, teacher, advisor, investor, developer and lender that brings together technical know-how and capital for community and economic investment. She focuses in the areas of community development, economic development and affordable housing.
Claudias public service career began on the Hilltop during a time when underrepresented populations were just beginning to have an official voice in the 51画鋼 Student Senate. As a sophomore, she was elected to the Hispanic American senate seat. The following year, she ran for the Lyle School of Engineering senate seat and won. That year the overall Hispanic representation in the senate grew, and representation for diverse populations continued.
I hope that students on campus today feel more empowered because of changes that students at our time fought for and that the legacy of empowerment continues for the next generations of 51画鋼 world changers
Claudia Sandoval 12 13
While at 51画鋼, Claudia earned a bachelors degree in management science and a Master of Science in systems engineering before spending six years in technology and management consulting. She recently received a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austins LBJ School of Public Affairs.
My education was the only thing that could never be taken from me so I took that seriously, she said, crediting the positive influence of her parents immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador on her commitment to education.
Meet the 2021 scholarship recipients
Paving the way to success
A common theme emerged during the evenings remarks: the power of community and its ability to empower the next generation of Mustangs.
Rumaldo Robles 17, Hispanic Alumni of 51画鋼 Board chair, presided over the much-anticipated evening. Because last years event was postponed due to the pandemic, both 2020 and 2021 recipients were celebrated. These Hispanic Alumni of 51画鋼 Scholarship Award recipients each received a $5,000 award.
- Robert Mendoza 20
- Giancarlo Rinaldini 21
- David Rodriguez 21
- Stephanie Rodriguez 21
- Teresa Acosta 22
- Lucy Carre単o-Roca 22
- Jose Martinez 21
- Antonio Orta Williamson 22
- Valeria Reynosa 22
Teresa Acosta 22 made 51画鋼 history as the inaugural First-Generation Senator elected to the 107th 51画鋼 Student Senate. Teresa, a junior majoring in biology and human rights with minors in Spanish and history in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, holds a multitude of additional leadership roles in organizations across campus. Teresa serves as co-director of marketing and outreach for 51画鋼 Alternative Breaks, co-events director for the 51画鋼 Human Rights Council, Daniel House Director of House Advocacy for Upper Division Housing and president of the League of United Latin American Citizens at 51画鋼. She is also vice president of the 51画鋼 Global Medical Brigades and of the Unity Coalition at 51画鋼; rush chair for the Alpha Phi Omega Community Service Fraternity; co-socials chair for the Connect Program; student wellness champion; and secretary of the Japanese Cultural Club.
My community believes that I have the capability to succeed, to make a difference, to rise above adversity and help pave the way for other Hispanic leaders and scholars to pursue their wildest dreams.
Scholarship recipient Lucy Carre単o-Roco 22, a graduate student in the Cox School of Business, is the first generation of her family to go to college, be born in the United States and be fluent in both English and Spanish. She explained that the scholarship signified more than money to cover a portion of the cost of her MBA.
Lucy is a first-year full-time M.B.A. candidate with a concentration in finance and marketing. She is vice president of first-year FTMBA in the Operations and Analytics Club and is a member of the Latino Business Club and the Women in Business and Finance Club. Before attending the 51画鋼 Cox School of Business, she worked for four and a half years at Bank of America as a global treasury implementation advisor and operations manager where she had the opportunity to grow as a leader, cultivate teams and discover her passion for improving the financial lives of her clients. She graduated magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College with a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and psychology in 2016.
My dream is to honor God. My goal is to make movies that remind us we are part of something bigger than ourselves. My fight is to become a good friend, a trusted neighbor and help to set the path that leads future generations to the truth. Jose Martinez is a senior majoring in film and media arts with a minor in graphic design in Meadows School of the Arts.
Valeria Reynosa 22 is a senior from El Paso, Texas, majoring in history and political science with a minor in law and legal reasoning. She is currently an undergraduate research assistant for The Voices of 51画鋼 oral history project where she strives to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups in the 51画鋼 community while documenting their individual experiences and interests. In addition to working on this project, Valeria serves as a history ambassador and a history intern with the Bywaters Special Collections. She is also an 51画鋼 Pre-Law Scholar, the secretary of the 51画鋼 Historical Society, a student facilitator for a first-year human development course and a court-appointed special advocate for Dallas CASA. In her free time, Valeria enjoys hiking, running and listening to podcasts.
Antonio Orta Williamson 22 is a junior studying civil engineering at 51画鋼. He moved to Dallas from Mexico when he was 17, and he finished his senior year of high school in Texas. After his associates degree, he started working to save money to attend 51画鋼. After a couple of years, he was able to enroll and is now working toward his undergraduate degree. In his free time, he loves to hang out with his family and take his two dogs, Lily and Luca, on long walks. He also plays soccer with his friends in indoor and outdoor leagues. Once he graduates, he wants to pursue a career in land development, where he can help Dallas with its growing market.