The effort to expand educational opportunities for a group of students who will never receive federal financial aid is getting a boost. On Friday, Dec. 9, College of Western Idaho (CWI) was invited to participate in a check presentation at the Consulate of Mexico in Boise. During the event, the Consul of Mexico, Celso Humberto Delgado Ramirez, presented CWI with a $10,000 contribution that will help support scholarships for Hispanic students.
CWI is one of four institutions chosen to receive funding from the Institute for Mexicans Abroad Scholarship fund. This marks the fifth year the College has received the funding. Last year, seven students attending CWI were awarded scholarships through the program.
“It is an honor for us to be able to help students like this,” Consul Ramirez said. “We know there are many in need. Just know we appreciate what you are doing here for education.”
Libna Luevanos, a Biology-Healthcare Program student at CWI, is one of this past year’s scholarship recipients. She is studying to become a doctor, and works two jobs to help her pay for school.
“It feels so great when people say, ‘Hey, I’ve got your back. I believe in your dreams,’” she said.
CWI has been actively working to increase its Hispanic community outreach initiatives for the past few years. Hispanic students currently make up 22 percent of CWI’s student population. More than half are credit/degree-seeking students. The remaining students are enrolled in the College’s Basic Skills Education program; learning English as a Second Language and other college prep and life skills.
Luis Caloca, CWI’s Director of Enrollment Management, says the College is consistently working on new and creative ways to reach the Hispanic community. So far, the efforts are working, but Caloca says more can always be done.
Caloca attended the presentation with David Shellberg, CWI’s Vice President for Instruction and Student Services.