On Nov. 29, Interim SFCC President Dr. Cecilia Cervantes, SFCC Foundation Board President, Dr. Carmen Gonzales, Deborah Boldt, Executive Director, SFCC Foundation; Ernest Kavanaugh, Director of the Office of Student Development; and 14 Student Ambassadors attended a Check Presentation Ceremony by the Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque, at the South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque.
This was the fourth year SFCC Foundation has received funds from the Institute of Mexicans Abroad Scholarships (Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior, IME), a division of the Mexican Federal Government for scholarships benefiting SFCC students of Mexican origin and descent. Bolt said, “We welcome this opportunity to build bridges through the shared goal of helping to connect students in the Mexican and Mexican American community of Santa Fe with their identity and pride of their country of origin and their home in the United States.”
SFCC Foundation has matched the $10,000 contribution from the Mexican Government with $10,000 for a total of $20,000 to be awarded to SFCC students of Mexican origin and descent. Students must be part of these programs to receive the scholarships:
• Integrated Basic Education Skills Training (I-BEST) Program. The I-BEST Program assists students who wish to earn their GED while concurrently taking college classes, improving their English as well as basic reading and math skills.
• Student Ambassadors program. The Student Ambassadors Program supports student retention and fosters student success by providing leadership training, classroom presentations to enhance public speaking skills, retention activities, and community involvement. This program requires qualifying students to represent the college on and off campus and to participate in community service.
Photo: The Memorandum of Understanding Signing. Pictured from left to right are Norma Ang Sanchez, Consul of Mexico; Marcos Arias, Consul of Legal Affairs and Community Outreach; Dr. Carmen Gonzales, Foundation President; Deborah Boldt, SFCC Foundation Executive Director; Dr. Cecilia Cervantes, Interim President
Boldt added, “We applaud the Mexican Government for investing in the education of Mexicans abroad. This important endeavor will help Mexican students gain access to degrees, certificates, careers, and ultimately to a higher quality of life for themselves and for the communities in Mexican and the U.S. Again, thank you for giving our college the opportunity to participate in this worthwhile and exciting program.”
