2023 Undergraduate scholars
Saidy Aceituno
Los Medanos College
Laurie Fox Scholar
Saidy Aceituno was born and raised in a small village in Guatemala, where she was the youngest in her family of five and the first person in her family to go to college. She immigrated to the United States three years ago with no knowledge of the English language. Through hard work and determination, Saidy learned English quickly and earn a 3.8 grade point average. Saidy will transfer to the University of San Francisco where she will major in Nursing.
Mprah Asare
Diablo Valley College
Lesher Foundation Scholar
Mprah Asare is a bright, goal-oriented black woman who is committed to achieving the goals she has set out for herself. From a young age, she struggled with a speech impediment that caused her to mispronounce certain words. This inspired Mprah to become a psychology major and intends to eventually get her Master’s Degree and Ph.D.. Mprah has hopes of pursuing a career in speech and language pathology and, one day, opening her own professional private practice to treat children who struggle with speech impediments. Mprah intends to study psychology at Clark College.
Brian Ayala
Contra Costa College
Jan Zaitlin Scholar
Brian Ayala has worked from the age of thirteen to help support his family. Through his resilience, not only was he able to endure pain and adapt to difficult circumstances, he also learned to balance many different commitments at the same time. Brian looks forward to transferring to a University of California where he will major in Biology before going to medical school, after which he hopes to provide affordable healthcare to immigrant and low-income communities.
Josselyn Beltran
Contra Costa College
Nikki Maziasz Scholar
Josselyn is a first-generation college student who immigrated from El Salvador when she was fifteen. Her passion for becoming a social worker was born from the hardships she experienced while making the journey to the United States. Her goal is to help people like herself who are low-income, have immigrated, and want to work towards a better life. She intended to obtain a Sociology degree from Contra Costa College and hopes to major in Social Welfare at UC Berkeley.
Eliette Bustos Barocio
Los Medanos College
John & Sunne McPeak Scholar
Eliette Bustos Barocio, a first-generation college student, intends to graduate from Los Medanos College with an Associate degree in Biology and Liberal Arts. She has been on the Dean's list every semester and has been awarded the Honors Scholar Medal, the highest academic award at Los Medanos College. Eliette is co-president of the Latinx and Women In Stem Club. She will be majoring in Biology at a University of California and aspires to become a veterinarian.
Nina Y. Lever Campbell
Diablo Valley College
Jim & Janet Kennedy Scholar
Nina Campbell, a first-generation non-traditional college student, immigrated to the United States from Colombia with her mother and sister at a young age. Over the last 5 years, Nina has dedicated significant time and effort into community efforts in the food justice movement, including leading efforts to start a new generation of young Black and Brown farmers. Nina will be majoring in American Studies with an Environmental Policy and Planning minor at UC Davis
Altina Dixon
Diablo Valley College
Schaefer Scholar I
Altina Dixon is a driven single mother of four who has turned every hardship she has endured into an opportunity. As a first-generation college student, Altina never allowed herself to be defined by failure. Instead, she persisted throughout her studies by managing her multiple obligations. Altina will be transferring to Cal State East Bay to receive her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, where she aspires to develop the knowledge and skills to start a non-profit organization to help address homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse.
Savanah Ekman
Diablo Valley College
Perfecto Villarreal Scholar
Savanah Ekman is a proud single mother, business owner, and first-generation College student. Despite suffering from childhood trauma, as well as late diagnosed Lyme Disease, she has never allowed any of this from accomplishing her goals. Savanah is on track to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and enjoys being a role model for her amazing 6-year-old son. Savannah intends to transfer to the Kaiser School of Allied Health where she will receive her bachelor’s degree in Radiology.
Ariana Fields
Contra Costa, Diablo Valley, and Los Medanos Colleges
Ralph Griffin Scholar
Ariana Fields grew up in a low-income family that struggled financially. Despite the financial hardships she endured growing, Ariana always dreamed of pursuing higher education. This dream was placed on pause during the COVID pandemic due to the health considerations of in person study. To go to college, she worked through her time in community college to help support herself and her family. Ariana will be studying radiologic sciences at East Tennessee State University next year.
Erica Leticia Garcia
Contra Costa, Diablo Valley, and Los Medanos Colleges
Eden Housing Scholar
Erica Garcia is a proud single mother who works hard to support her family. Erica is a criminal justice major at Contra Costa College, with intentions to transfer to San Francisco State University. During her time in community college, Erica volunteered with the non-profit Rich City Rides to develop and lead workshops for at-risk youth in the Richmond community. One day she hopes to start her own non-profit that provides robust support to those in need and often neglected.
Bianca Gutierrez Herrera
Diablo Valley College
Marian Magid Scholar
Bianca Gutierrez Herrera is a proud queer, non-binary, first-generation college student interested in sociology, social work, social justice. At 18, Bianca became the Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County, where they helped support other LGBTQ+ youth in the community and provided essential support for the organization. Bianca wants to use their education to help their community and make their family proud. Bianca will be attending Sacramento State.
Lawrence Hargraves II
Diablo Valley College
Steve Schaefer Scholar II
Lawrence Hargraves II is interested in becoming a physical therapist who serves his community in Vallejo and Solano County. Despite encountering adversity throughout his life, Lawrence has never allowed these hardships to stop him from succeeding. He will be graduating with a 3.72 GPA and over a hundred hours of community service dedicated to political campaigns, his church, and the city of Berkeley. Lawrence intends to major in kinesiology at Sacramento State, while playing college football. Go Spartans!
Ana Hernandez
Diablo Valley College
Thomas and Marie O’Brien Scholar
Ana Hernandez is a first-generation Latinx student, who has spent much of her life defying externally imposed expectations of what it means to be a woman. Despite the obstacles Ana has faced throughout her journey, she has broken glass ceilings and exceeded all expectations.Ana has also exhibited leadership by using her Spanish speaking skills to assist clients in her medical internships assuring them equal access to quality healthcare. She plans to major in Biology: Pre-Med at a University of California where she will begin her journey of becoming a physician.
Ivan Hernandez
Diablo Valley & Los Medanos Colleges
Chevron Scholar I
Ivan grew up in a poor area of Mexico without access to technology. As a teen his interest in technology developed at a time where he was fighting Leukemia. Treatment required that he travel to California. He realized that a technology career would provide a pathway for personal and economic health that would permit him to support his extended family. He has been cancer-free for four years. He has chosen to pursue a major in Computer Engineering at the UC Santa Barbara with a goal of becoming a Software Engineer.
Daniela Lopez
Los Medanos College
Park Regency LLC Scholar
A first-generation college student, Daniela Lopez is majoring in biology at Los Medanos College. LMC has provided her many opportunities to navigate the challenges and prepared her to transfer. She is a member of the MESA and Honors Program and has been a student ambassador and tutor at Los Medanos College. She intends to transfer to a University of California, with UCLA as her first choice, to pursue a biology degree, and her ultimate career goal is to become an optometrist.
Nayla Lopez
Diablo Valley College
Ron and Diane de Golia Scholar
Nayla Lopez is a first-generation college student with a goal of pursuing a degree in psychology. Her desire is to study mental health disorders. As an officer in DVC’s positive psychology club, she gained valuable experience in the field. As a Student Ambassador, she assisted new students in acclimating to the college experience. Her intention is to transfer to a University of California, with UC Berkeley as her first choice. A long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology.
Stephanie Morales Portillo
Diablo Valley and Los Medanos Colleges
Alphonse Upshaw Scholar
A first-generation high school graduate and college student, Stephanie has a goal of becoming a registered nurse and then a nurse practitioner. Her motivation to pursue healthcare is derived from working with her single Mom, who had many health problems. Her volunteer activities have mirrored her health care goals including a Medical Assistant externship at Kaiser- Permanente. Stephanie intends to transfer to San Francisco State University.
Simran Narayan
Diablo Valley and Los Medanos Colleges
Gwen Regalia Scholar
Simran Narayan, a Pacific-Islander, is a first-generation college student. Her career goal is to become a nurse, and ultimately a registered nurse. To help with family finances her objective is to get into the workforce as soon as possible. One of her references described Simran as “highly motivated, academically driven, very hard worker, organized, responsible, and very determined to become a Nurse in the future.”
Karina Ortiz
Contra Costa College
Uriel and Isabella Oseguera Scholar
Karina was born in the United States to a naturalized father and a Mexican mother. At age 7 Karina and her mother moved to Mexico. Her father stayed in the US to financially provide for the family. At the age of 14 she returned to the US as a non-English speaker. With hard work she graduated with honors and continued to Contra Costa College where she excelled. Karina will be transferring to Cal State East Bay to pursue a degree in Liberal Studies and Early Childhood Education with a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.
Daniela Perez
Contra Costa and Diablo Valley Colleges
Art and Robin Rangel Scholar
Daniela is a first-generation Latina student. When she entered Contra Costa College, she was undecided on a major. By fortuitous accident she enrolled in a computer programming believing it would improve her Microsoft Office skills. Small classes and supportive faculty helped her excel in her coursework. Daniela intends to pursue a career as a software engineer. A reference from the Student Ambassador program wrote that “Daniela is an incredibly valued member of our team who exemplifies great communication skills, reliability, and determination.” She intends to take that determination to Sacramento State
Shanice Mae Perry
Diablo Valley College
Harriet Garelis Scholar
Shanice Perry describes herself as a resilient, dedicated, and focused person. Her responsibilities include being a wife, mother of two, full-time student, and part-time worker to make ends meet. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology and then a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Her career goal is to practice as a Psychiatric, Surgical, or Pediatric Physician Assistant. Shanice would like to transfer to UC San Diego.
Mariana Rosillo
Diablo Valley College
Chevron Scholar II
Mariana is a first-generation Latina student. She moved to Mexico when she was three. Mariana returned to the US at 17 as a predominantly Spanish-speaking student. She will be majoring in Computer Science and Engineering with the goal of becoming a Software Engineer. Mariana pursued several extracurricular activities including joining the Associated Students of Diablo Valley College where she currently serves as the Vice President of Executive Affairs. Mariana intends to transfer to a University of California with UC Berkeley her top choice.
Paloma Saldana
Diablo Valley College
Sharon Simpson Scholar
Paloma is a Chicanx transgender student who uses they/he pronouns. Paloma in Spanish means dove, a symbol of peace and freedom. In his previous academic work, he set the stage for a career in medicine. He aspires to work with patients to identify their treatment, not to simply work on the problem alone. He intends to transfer to a University of California to pursue a major in microbiology at UC Berkeley. One of his references said she admired his kindness and sense of community that he brought to the classroom. Dr. Saldana has a good ring to it!
Samara B. Scott
Diablo Valley and Los Medanos Colleges
Concord Feed/Brickyard Building Materials Scholar
Samara B. Scott is a first-generation college student who is on track to earn two associate degrees. Coming from a single mother home taught her to persevere through difficult times. As a child, her mother was involved in a life-threatening car accident. Her mother’s recovery and Samara’s experience with the medical professionals who took care of her mother inspired her to get into the medical field. Samara plans to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at California State University - Los Angeles with the intent of one day becoming a Neonatologist.
Odalys (Andrea) Sosa Pineda
Contra Costa College
Frank & Kathy Gouveia Scholar I
Andrea Sosa Pineda is a first-generation college student.
She struggled with believing in the American Dream. As an immigrant, and oldest daughter of a single mother, she carried a lot of responsibilities at home. Despite English being a second language, she excelled academically at Contra Costa College. She is strongly committed to coursework and experiences relevant to her career despite the economic difficulties she encounters in her daily life. Andrea intends to study Psychology at UCLA with the goal of becoming a therapist.
Dagim Tessema
Contra Costa College
Steve Schaefer Scholar III
Dagim Tessema was raised in Ethiopia where he experienced firsthand the struggles of poverty and how important it was to take advantage of every opportunity given. Witnessing how little the people around him had, Dagim was instilled with the values of hard work, persistence, and appreciation. Dagim has taken full advantage of every one of his opportunities and used them to better educate himself. As a business major transferring to San Francisco State University, Dagim aspires to become an entrepreneur focusing on the real estate industry.
Georgina Valdez
Contra Costa College
Chevron Scholar III
Georgina intends to utilize her personal experiences as a homeless person as a basis for her academic activities and to shape her career goals. Leadership skills have been developed in her role as President of the La Raza Student Union at Contra Costa College. She will be transferring to UC Berkeley and will major in Sociology/Social Justice so that she can pursue a career assisting those who are homeless. Being previously homeless she has the personal experience to be of help.
2023 Graduate scholars
Alejandra Camacho
Los Medanos College
2016 Kennedy-King Scholar
Golden Gate University School of Law
Miller Starr Regalia Scholar
Alejandra is a first-generation college student who began her college work at Los Medanos College. She received a Kennedy-King Scholarship in 2016 and matriculated to the University of California – Santa Barbara. Alejandra graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. Her aspirations are to become a Family Law attorney or to work as a prosecutor in a District Attorney’s office. She is enrolled at Golden Gate University where she has completed her first two years of law school. One of her references, an attorney, referred to “Allie” as having “unlimited potential, and a very strong work ethic & capacity for learning.” Alejandra capsulized her journey by saying “I came to the United States when I was 9 years old, and I am now a proud adult woman in law school. This country has given me endless educational opportunities that I am grateful for.”
Bridgett Garcia Alvarado
Diablo Valley and Los Medanos Colleges
2021 Kennedy-King Scholar
St. Mary’s College
Greg and Michele McCoy Scholar
Bridgett is a first-generation Latina woman who is completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology at the University of Nevada-Reno (UNR). She is the daughter of two immigrant parents. One of her references—a sociology instructor—described her “an intelligent and hard-working individual who is responsible and committed. She has a rare quality of kindness and intellect that is necessary in working with others.” At UNR her home away from home was the Kappa Delta Chi sorority, a Latina founded sorority, where she did over 50 hours of community service. She also helped women needing assistance through her involvement with the Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra. The Executive Director of the organization said, “she has a bright future in the helping field.” Bridgett intends to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling at Saint Mary’s College.
Fernanda Garcia-Haro Ramirez
Contra Costa College
2005 Kennedy-King Scholar
Clark University, Atlanta
Barbara Louie Fund @EBCF Scholar
Fernanda Garcia-Haro was raised in Richmond and has stayed to support her community. A 2007 graduate of California State University-East Bay Fernanda earned her degree in Liberal Studies. She entered her career track at Contra Costa College through a unique program called Fast Track. Upon graduation from CSU-East Bay Fernanda took a position as a first-grade teacher at Verde Elementary School in North Richmond. Fourteen years later she decided to continue her education by joining the National Aspiring Principals Fellowship offered online through Clark University Atlanta. She expects to receive her principal certification and master’s degree from Clark University in the Spring of 2024. She will then join the next generation of equity focused school leaders who better reflect the students they serve. One of her references captured the reason to support her—she is “doing the hard work day in and day out to support our nation’s most at risk and underserved youth.”
David Herrera
Diablo Valley College
Kennedy-King Scholar
2009 Brown University
Frank and Kathy Gouveia Scholar
A first-generation Latino immigrant, David spent his youth in San Francisco where his family lived in a lower income neighborhood characterized by high traffic, particularly vehicles emitting diesel particulates. David was a 2009 Kennedy-King Scholar from Diablo Valley College who went on to the University of California to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He then transferred to Brown University where he received a master’s degree and is now pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Political Science. The final step to securing his Doctoral Degree is completion of his dissertation—Polluted by Design: Fighting Toxic Air Pollution in Under- resourced Minority Communities. His goal is to become a tenured professor where he could continue to empower underrepresented students to see their unique upbringings, challenges, knowledge, and perspectives to improving society. David expects to receive his Doctoral Degree in 2024.
Miguel Montalvo
Diablo Valley College
2021 Kennedy-King Scholar
Princeton University
Swarts Scholarship Fund @EBCF Scholar
Miguel is a first-generation college student who immigrated from El Salvador. He worked full- time as he completed community college. A 2021 Kennedy-King Scholar, Miguel transferred to the University of California where he majored in Engineering Physics (he was the only transfer student accepted to the program). He will graduate in June 2023 and intends to transfer to Princeton University to pursue a Ph.D. in Astrophysics. His career goal is to work for NASA as a researcher. In his remarks one of his references described Miquel as “one of the strongest students’ questions and responses during workshops.” He went on to describe one of Miguel’s projects as “employing empirical methods for connecting galaxies in their dark matter halos, and develop a fresh approach for parameterizing the degree of concentration abundance in the abundance matching method.” Miguel explained this to the writer in way that made sense, but thankfully he will be the one working for NASA!
Phillip Prewitt
Diablo Valley College
2019 Kennedy-King Scholar
San Francisco State University
The Treehouse Fund Scholar
Phillip was a 2019 Scholarship recipient from Diablo Valley College. He matriculated to Cal State East Bay where he secured his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He is now attending San Francisco State University pursuing a Master of Social Work. He expects to graduate in 2024. Phillip was raised by his mother who always reminded him that his greatest assets were his dedication and perseverance. Those were the words that enabled him to overcome obstacles such as beating cancer twice, anxiety related issues, and academic hardships. My goal is to become a licensed Mental Health Therapist, so that “I can build stronger communities and stronger individuals–the same way mentors helped build me into the man I am today.”
Tamara (Banda) Schroeder
Contra Costa College
2009 Kennedy-King Scholar
The Medical College of Wisconsin
Gifted by Kaiser Permanente
Upon graduating from Contra Costa College Tamara transferred to the University of California- Davis where she received a Bachelor of Science in biotechnology. Upon graduation she affiliated with Children’s Hospital in Oakland working with an infectious disease physician. Her role led to studies of infectious diseases in rural communities in Kenya. She went on to work for a biotech firm where she conducted research studies in immune oncology. In 2020 she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. She expects to receive her MD in 2024.
Tamara has stayed very active in her community by mentoring community college students and conducting seminars at Contra Costa College’s Center for Science Excellence. Being designated the Kaiser-Permanente Scholar in 2022 opened an opportunity to complete an away clinic rotation at Kaiser, Oakland.
Rubie Villela
Los Medanos College
2016 Kennedy-King Scholar
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Gagen McCoy Law Firm Scholar
Rubie Villela is a first-generation college student who has gotten to her current setting without any outside help. She attended Los Medanos College and transferred to UC Davis to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in cell biology. Rubie is now attending Western Michigan Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, where she is working towards her doctorate degree which she expects to receive in 2025. She continues to strive towards the goal of becoming a doctor and to serve marginalized communities. My goal after graduation is to start my residency program for the specialty that I will choose during my last year of medical school. Her short-term goal includes working with Doctors Without Borders. Her long-term goal “is to provide culturally competent health care and represent mi gente (my people).”