Six Aspiring Lawyers Awarded Scholarships by HBAA Foundation

The Hispanic Bar Association of Austin (HBAA) Charitable Foundation and the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium strive to support students in their educational process through the HBAA scholarship. The scholarship allows aspiring lawyers to receive financial assistance while completing their undergraduate degree. Once the students are in law school they receive further assistance through the Foundation's partnership. In the 2017-2018 school year, the HBAA scholarship welcomed three new scholars and continued supporting three scholars.

Daniel Reyes 

St. Mary's University, 2019

 Major: Political Science

Daniel is currently a sophomore at St. Mary’s University majoring in Political Science. He has been able maintain his academic career while actively serving his community, as he co-founded the St. Mary’s University College Democrats, and volunteered at San Antonio Youth Literacy.

Lucie Arvallo

St. Mary's University School of Law, 2019

Major: JD Candidate

Lucie is continuing to excel academically in law school. She is currently ranks ninth in her class of 222. Despite being in San Antonio, Lucie also remains an active volunteer with HSC. 

Nathan Salazar

Michigan State College of Law, 2019

Major: JD Candidate

Nathan and his wife are settling in to their lives in East Lansing. He is currently in his second year of law school, and was admitted to the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute to improve his litigation, trial, and courtroom decorum.

Liz Moreno

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2019

Major: JD Canidadate

Liz has begun her second year in Law School, where she has been able to thrive academically, while volunteering in the community. The summer of 2017 she volunteered in the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Program mentoring aspiring law students.

Morgan Vega (not pictured)

University of Texas Austin, 2019

Major: Political Science

Morgan is currently a freshman at the University of Texas Austin, majoring in political science. She has been able to successfully manage her academics while being a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Trevor Vega

University of Texas School of Law Austin, 2019

JD Candidate

Trevor is currently in his second year of Law School at the University of Texas Austin, where he has been an outstanding student. His first year he finished in the top 25% of his class, and was awarded the course’s Dean’s Achievement, which recognizes the highest grade in the class.  

140 Students Receive MexAustin Scholarships

This fall, MexAustin IME Becas/Scholarships awarded $140,000 in scholarships to 140 top students. MexAustin had contributed $140,000 in their first year of operation, coming to a grand total of $280,000 in scholarships to immigrants and children of immigrants. 

The scholarship is funded through the combined efforts of the Mexican Consulate and Foundation Communities of Austin, who work to safeguard Mexican nationals in Austin and to provide affordable housing to underprivileged people, respectively. MexAustin describes its purpose as a mission to see Latinx students thrive in higher education regardless of status in the country or economic shortcomings. As a whole, the students were comprised of approximately 69% female to 31% male, with areas of study ranging from Business, to Liberal Arts, to Science and Technology, as well as a myriad of other fields.

Austin College Access Network awards 9 new scholarships

The Austin College Access Network (ACAN) Scholarship Committee has selected nine outstanding candidates to receive scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year. In its first year, the ACAN Scholarship Committee awarded $11,000 in scholarships in partnership with TG and Concordia University Texas.

The ACAN Scholarship aims to support hardworking and determined students who will be the first in their families to earn a college degree. The recipients worked closely with and were supported by ACAN members including Austin Partners in Education, Breakthrough Central Texas, Capital IDEA, College Forward, Communities in Schools of Central Texas, Con Mi MADRE, Hispanic Scholarship Consortium, and KIPP Austin Public Schools. The ACAN Scholarship is administered through the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium. 

ACAN Scholarship recipients were recognized at the
annual Central Texas Signing Day.

The 2017-2018 recipients are:

Avery Arocha-Guerra – Avery is an incoming freshman at Concordia University Texas and plans to study special education. Avery says, “I am extremely grateful for the all the opportunities I now have upon receiving this scholarship. This aid will enable me to make my college career as rich as possible and allow me to pursue my future goals and aspirations.”

Dulce Espinoza – Dulce is a sophomore at St. Edward’s University studying behavioral neuroscience. Dulce says “As I continue my path to medical school, I will also academically be learning more about my Spanish language. Through my studies, I will gain the knowledge and experience I need to become an educated, bilingual, neurosurgeon. I hope to study abroad as I believe it will allow me to be more open-minded. I am excited for this new adventure in my education. I am delighted to have been chosen to receive the ACAN scholarship.”

Crystal Guido – Crystal is an incoming freshman at Texas State University. Crystal plans to study construction science and management. Crystal says, “Opportunities like these bring me closer to completing one of my greatest goals. My parents have come so far to give me the chance to become someone greater through higher education, I intend to uphold what my parents have done for me, making them proud as I continue my education.”

Estrella Hernandez – Estrella is a sophomore at Concordia University Texas majoring in mathematics. Estrella says, “I am grateful to have been awarded this scholarship because without it I don’t think I would be able to afford school. Words cannot describe how much I appreciate the aid that I have been given. I will do beyond my best in school so this scholarship money does not go to waste.”

Kimberly Quiroz-Negron - Kimberly is an incoming freshman at Austin Community College. Kimberly plans on studying psychology. Kimberly says, “I want to make my parents proud and not feel like their efforts went to waste. I will make sure I work hard every day and give to the community as much as I can. I want help people and especially in my community.”

Joseph Ramirez Hernandez – Joseph is a junior at St. Edward’s University. He is currently studying biology and plans to pursue nursing. Joseph says, “This scholarship will assist me in being able to afford my education and will better allow me to continue helping my community through civic engagement and community advocacy. Your assistance will go a long way in my education and mission to help our community.”

Enrique Resendiz – Enrique is a sophomore studying criminology at Edward’s University. Enrique says, “I plan to become the first in my family to graduate from college and with the support you have given me, my dream and my parents’ dream is one step closer. I appreciate the help you have given me and the others who you’ve helped.”

Adilene Rodriguez Pena – Adilene is a sophomore majoring in nursing at Texas State University. Adilene says, “After being in college for an academic year, I know how much of a burden money is. In many occasions, dropping out and working instead have crossed my mind. Huge opportunities like this is what reminds me that everything is possible. I will value this help and it will take me a long way.”

Sandra Zavala – Sandra is a sophomore studying theatre at Texas State University. Sandra says, “I truly thank you for giving me the scholarship. I will surely do well in my classes as the financial pressure is lifted and I can focus more on my fieldwork courses”

The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium will continue to make scholarship announcements throughout the summer. 

2016 New HSC Scholars

Hispanic Scholarship Consortium is proud to welcome 14 new students into the HSC Scholars Program. Although there were many applicants, these young Hispanics displayed the highest of qualities that uplift more than just themselves, but their family, peers and community. Some are the first in their family to attend college, some the first among their siblings, both want to set an example that, yes, the sky is the limit! It is this kind of purposeful youth that will lead the way for future generations of young Hispanics that inspire this program and its Consortium Members.

This semester’s new students have it all. From high school valedictorians attending their first semester at college to Latin American human rights investigators pursuing their Master’s. Some are at the beginning of a new collegiate career either as an undergrad, graduate or law doctorate, ready to delve into a new experience. While some are in the middle of their undergraduate degrees, having become astonishingly engaged in their communities, school programs, such as, several band groups at once or robotics and livestock shows, and internships. At a range of schools as close as here in Austin at UT or St. Edward's to as far away as Michigan State and Stanford, all are furthering their educations for themselves, their community and a better world for tomorrow. The aspirations of these dream driven students are refreshingly genuine in that they mostly strive to ultimately give back. From future pediatricians saving little lives to Judge Advocate Generals giving a voice to the silenced, these students are proud to be Hispanic and fellow Hispanics are proud of them.

Each student awarded has their own unique passion that is driving them to reach for new heights. That is the most exciting part of being able to take some of the stress off their shoulders and allow them to focus on their dreams without quite so much worry. What these students will achieve with an education in hand is what the future is built upon. So here is to building the future!



These students join our renewing HSC Scholars and the inaugural cohort of MexAustin Scholars.

Scholar Spotlight of the Week

Pedro Villalobos is an HSC Scholar enrolled in the University of Texas School of Law. He chose to go to law school because a law degree would open doors for him in the fields of politics, government, and policy. After law school Pedro hopes to remain in Austin and work for either the Travis County Attorney's Office or for an immigration law firm.

As an undocumented student, this has been a huge obstacle that he has had to face. Thankful for the opportunities presented to undocumented students as a result of DACA, Pedro has been able to pursue his dream of receiving a JD degree. Outside of the classroom, Pedro enjoys going to concerts, cooking interior Mexican cuisine, and volunteering and working on political campaigns. He worked as Policy and Digital Director for the Sally Hernandez for Sheriff campaign in Travis County.

In this position he researched, analyzed, and wrote memos on topics of interest - including but not limited to, the Priority Enforcement Program, in-person visitation, mental health, general health, recidivism/reentry programs, school to prison pipeline, cite and release programs, and body cameras. Pedro worked closely with Constable Sally Hernandez and other campaign advisers. He drafted policy for the Sally Hernandez Campaign, staffed Constable Hernandez at events and maintained and updated Facebook and Twitter accounts.

To Pedro, being an HSC scholar means that there is a network of people supporting him along his path to becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college and law school. At the beginning of his law school career Pedro did not feel prepared but with graduation steadily approaching in May of 2016, he has proven to HSC, his family, and himself, that through hard work and perseverance even the largest of obstacles can be overcome.

His advice to students thinking about college after high school is, “College is within everyone's grasp. Grades do not define you as a student or a person. Conviction, a positive attitude, dedication, and a hard working attitude will get you past the goals you have set.” Pedro also offers his number one study tip to students, being to take breaks. “Studying for hours on end tires the mind and the body. Get outside and run for 10 minutes, watch a short TV show, talk to a friend, read a few pages in your favorite book. The best results don't come from hours of being secluded in a room or from looking at text.”

We here at HSC are very proud of Pedro and are excited to see where his drive will take him next! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation and we wish you nothing but the best.

Scholar Spotlight of the Week

Chelsey Suarez is an HSC Scholar attending Austin Community College. Chelsey’s scholarship is sponsored by Hispanics in Partnership at Applied Materials and HSC.  Like any college student, Chelsey finds herself with minimal spare time but does not let time restraints stand in the way of her creativity. She jots down any ideas she may come across so that she may revisit them later.

Chelsey describes her first year in college as rough. At the beginning, Chelsey felt she was prepared for school until she actually arrived at university. She assumed it would be as easy as it was in high school for her to keep her head down and focus on her studies. That did not prove to be the case. University is a new kind of work.

She was not sure if electrical engineering was right for her. It took time and a genuine effort from her in order to realize that she wanted something else. After a year and a half studying electrical engineering at the University of Texas and an opportunity to intern at the Walt Disney Company, Chelsey discovered that her true passion was 3D Animation. Successfully passing this hurdle, Chelsey felt more grounded in her choice to pursue 3D Animation. The hardest obstacle she has come to face was the decision to acknowledge a change of heart and actually defending that decision against those who did not understand.

Chelsey offers this advice to high school students debating on a college career:

“Think way into the future to the happiest version of yourself, where do you see yourself? What do you see yourself doing? For most, attending college will be the first step towards these goals. And while attending a college, paying for college, and succeeding in college may sound daunting, organizations such as HSC help you plan and work towards that happiest version of yourself. It all starts with you.”

Scholar Spotlight of the Week

Yocelin being interview by Despierta Austin host Leslie Montoya.

Yocelin Avalos attends Texas State University and is majoring in Bilingual Education. Her passion for bilingual education comes from the goal of breaking gaps in minority education. Yocelin became an HSC scholar in the Fall of 2013 and continues to be an outstanding candidate for what HSC stands for. She is a first generation college student who was inspired to attend college by her parents and the idea that one day she could be the teacher to open doors for her future students. At the beginning of her college career, like any other new student, Yocelin felt she lacked certain information that may have better assisted her on her path but now as a college junior she has a better understanding of the environment she is currently in. Yocelin’s number one study tip is perfecting time management. Her hobbies outside of school revolve around the outside world. One of Yocelin’s favorite pastimes is going for a hike and Austin is a good place for that. HSC is excited to see what Yocelin will accomplish after graduation in May of 2017. She hopes to teach for a few years before applying to any graduate schools.