MESA, Arizona – July 14, 2015 – Mesa Community College graduate Karina Aguilar has received $5,000 from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to continue her studies at University of California, San Diego.
HSF General College Scholarships are designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage obtain a college degree. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to community college transfer students.
Aguilar, who is pursuing a career in neurosurgery, said that she learned about the scholarship opportunity through MCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Omicron Beta chapter.
“Although Phi Theta Kappa is a two-year college society, they provide resources for community college students to successfully transfer to a four-year university,” Aguilar said. “They directed me to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, who awarded me a scholarship that will significantly defray my costs at UC San Diego. Being able to attend such a prestigious research university is amazing, and I owe it to a lot people, including many associated with Phi Theta Kappa.”
Duane Oakes, Phi Theta Kappa Advisor and Director of MCC’s Center for Community & Civic Engagement, said, “Karina’s scholarship, leadership and service with Phi Theta Kappa on campus and in our community helped open doors for her to earn this scholarship and helped open the door for her continued success.”
While attending MCC, Aguilar was also selected as an Oberndorf Scholar and a National Community College Aerospace Scholar.
For more information on the Omicron Beta Chapter, visit http://www.mesacc.edu/students/phi-theta-kappa.
Contact: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
Sally Mesarosh, sally.mesarosh@mesacc.edu
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Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and life-long learning. Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) http://www.ncahlc.org, 800-621-7440.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
About Hispanic Scholarship Fund
As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, the Fund has awarded over $430 million in scholarships and provides a range of ancillary programs for students, HSF Scholars, and their families. HSF further strives to make college education a top priority for every Latino family across the nation, mobilizing our community to proactively advance that goal – each individual, over a lifetime, in every way he/she can. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: HSF.net.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is a prestigious honor society which seeks to recognize academic excellence in two-year colleges. Omicron Beta is the local chapter at MCC and was chartered in 1966. Phi Theta Kappa is founded on four hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, & Fellowship. For more information on the Omicron Beta Chapter, visit http://www.mesacc.edu/students/phi-theta-kappa.