The Rodney Fernandez Leadership Fund STEM Scholarship Program, created in 2011, honors the legacy of Rodney Fernandez, Cabrillo’s founder and Executive Director for 30 years (1981–2011). The Scholarship continues Fernandez’s legacy of community building by cultivating the leadership of residents to attain their goals, empower themselves and to take action and improve the quality of life in their communities.
“Cabrillo will provide STEM scholarships for underrepresented groups to help reduce financial barriers for those with academic and leadership potential and the desire to pursue STEM careers. We recognize that to increase diversity in the technology workforce, we must increase diversity in undergraduates,” said Cabrillo CEO Margarita H. de Escontrias.
In addition to high quality, safe and secure affordable housing, Cabrillo creates a ladder of opportunity for its low-income residents through comprehensive housing services and educational programs, which include the Rodney Fernandez STEM Scholarship program.
The program provides scholarships for students who wish to pursue education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). To be eligible, students must be enrolled in and/or continuing college education, in the process of applying to an accredited institution, or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, and household income must be less than or equal to 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Ventura County. High school applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Cabrillo is currently scheduling applicant information sessions. Dates for these sessions, applications, and additional details will be available on the Cabrillo website (cabrilloedc.org) in April. Please contact the Resident and Community Services Department at [email protected] with any questions.
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to provide comprehensive housing services and community economic development activities through a community-building approach that facilitates self-sufficiency for individuals and families who are most lacking in opportunity in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and adjacent areas of Los Angeles County.
