AHSIE 2024
Scholarship Recipients

Armando Razo

Business Administration & Sociology

Ventura College

Armando Razo is a proud first-generation Latino student from Oxnard, California pursuing an Associates degree in Business Administration and Sociology at Ventura College (VC). He aims to utilize his lived experience and resilience to break down barriers and build generational wealth. He is a trailblazer in advocating for student needs, creating space for underrepresented communities, and bringing awareness to the importance of cultural capital and uplifting the first-gen student experience. His passion and determination are evident in his pursuit for success and his fierce leadership in promoting community minded changes.

Despite challenges, Armando maintains a 3.37 cumulative GPA and extensive involvement experience. He currently serves as the Associated Students of Ventura College Director of Events and Activities, Co-Founder of the newly established ASVC CREW student leadership program, VC shared governance student representative, Financial Aid student specialist, and Basic Needs Student Ambassador. Through these roles Armando is intentional with bringing awareness to campus resources and sharing involvement opportunities. His role on campus as a student leader has granted him the platform to foster a sense of community, promote mentorship, and reciprocate the level of support to other students that was presented to him.

Armando is working on impactful initiatives to establish significant campus and community connections with a goal of empowering first-generation students to become powerful leaders. During his time at VC, he has grown tremendously and has excelled as a leader demonstrating proactive change, inspiring commitment, and groundbreaking determination. Armando's next chapter will focus on achieving his Bachelor's Degree, growing as a lifelong leader, and pursuing a career that allows him to give back to his community!

Leslie Maria Rivera

Medicine with an emphasis on Basic Medical Sciences and a minor in Spanish

University of Arizona

Leslie Maria Rivera, is an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona. She is a junior studying a major in Medicine with an emphasis on Basic Medical Sciences and a minor in Spanish. Leslie aspires to one day become a Nurse Practitioner and pursue this by achieving her dream of being accepted into the Masters Nursing program at her school. She is passionate about advocating for equal and safe environments in the educational system and providing opportunities for all immigrants to achieve their own dreams. As she continues to describe her purpose and intention behind wanting to be a nurse she states: "I truly believe it is necessary for one to feel heard, seen, and helped throughout an early stage in life so one can grow up with the proper resources and healthy lifestyle that every being deserves, regardless of their background." As she advocates for herself in her academic and life journey, she is passionate about making a positive change in her community and being the mentor that she needed growing up. These qualities of Rivera, will exhibit her compassion to healing those afflicted, inside and outside of her healthcare profession. 

Lesly Arias

English

Nevada State University

Lesly is a secondary education and English major, as well as a Transformando Caminos HSI mentor at Nevada State University. She was a Teacher Academy Pipeline Project (TAPP) student all four years in high school, and now works with the TAPP program to mentor high school students who wish to become teachers all across the Clark County School District. She is a McNair scholar, with research interests such as curriculum censorship, education policy, and Chicanx educational attainment. Next year, she will be completing her bachelors degree two years early with hopes to become a high school English teacher and attend graduate school. Her parents are from Jalisco, Mexico, making her a proud Chicana. She is the youngest of 3, and will be the first in her family to graduate college. In her free time she likes to read, paint, and play movies on the T.V just to not even pay attention because she's got a million other things to do.

Sandy Del Sol Santana

Biology

Miami Date College

Sandy Del Sol Santana is a first-Generation student aiming to attain a career in the healthcare field. Born in Cuba and moving to the United States in 2022, Sandy is entering his second year at Miami Dade College (MDC), working toward an Associate of Arts degree in biology. Currently, Sandy serves as Vice President of the STEM Student Association (STEMSA), a Digital Navigator for the School of Continuing Education at MDC, a Student Government Association Senator, and an undergraduate researcher. Once Sandy acquires his A.A., he aims to continue his education at the University of Florida (UF) by completing a bachelor’s degree in biology. Afterwards, his ultimate goal is to enter medical school at UF. There, Sandy aims to achieve his M.D., followed by a residency in anesthesiology. Sandy enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, and spending quality time with his little sister, family, and friends in his free time. He plans to continue his passion for elevating students’ voices and helping them get involved and feel that they belong within a  community for science, health professions, etc. Sandy aims to create an extended and united mentorship network and share his skills and knowledge with everyone who needs it, especially with first-generation latina/o/x students like himself who dream of breaking barriers to successfully pursue  higher education and careers in STEM. 

Humberto Partida

Political Science

California State University, Chico

Humberto Partida Jr, a first-generation college student, is in the first year of his Master of Arts in Political Science program at California State University, Chico. He aspires to become a college professor after completing his MA. Originally from Los Tecomates, Jalisco, Mexico, Humberto has been a resident of the United States for a decade, marking his tenth anniversary this April. Born into a family of six, Humberto holds the middle position among his siblings. In addition to his academic pursuits, Humberto has a keen interest in literature and cinema. He enjoys dedicating time to deepening his knowledge of his Catholic faith. Known for his friendly and sociable nature, Humberto enjoys making new friends and conversing with anyone he meets. Alongside his intellectual and social interests, Humberto is also a founding member of his school, ballet folklorico Sueños de las Estrellas, showcasing his commitment to cultural and artistic endeavors."