Scholarship recipient Jimena Pérez Arroyo came to the U.S. from Mexico.
The Ventura College Foundation awarded 400 scholarships to 228 students totaling $642,758 for the 2020/21 academic year.
Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards. Scholarship amounts range from an average of nearly $2,400 for continuing students to an average of nearly $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Over half of the winners received multiple scholarships.
“Despite the challenges during the school year because of the pandemic and virtual learning, many Ventura College students were able to excel in their academic studies,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair.
Scholarships were awarded in all academic fields which included STEM, art, health and liberal arts. Recipients came from nearly every city in Ventura County including Ventura (75), Oxnard (65), Santa Paula (27), Camarillo (13), Fillmore (8) and Port Hueneme (6).
A recipient of two scholarship awards this year, Bryan Rodriguez and his older sisters are the first in his family to attend college. His parents immigrated to America to provide a better life for their family.
Scholarship recipient Jimena Pérez Arroyo, 18, came to the U.S. from Mexico at nine with her mom seeking a better future. “I was taught the value of education and hard work,” says Pérez Arroyo who attends Ventura College full time and works part time.
Pérez Arroyo knew she wanted to be a pilot since she was 12. She excelled in math and science throughout her schooling and is now studying engineering at Ventura College.
Even though in-person award celebrations aren’t allowed due to COVID restrictions, the Ventura College Foundation is still virtually celebrated the 2021 scholarship awardees, the donors who made the awards possible, and the sponsors of the Scholarship Awarding Week of Celebration. Videos and the 2021 scholarship awards program can be viewed at https://venturacollegefoundation.org/awardevents2021/.
The Ventura College Foundation is grateful for the continuing support of scholarship event sponsors. They include Edison International, Miracle Mile Advisors, Citizens Business Bank, Searle Creative and Bank of the Sierra.
For more about scholarships and other support services provided by the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.
Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset.
