UA News

The UA Hispanic Alumni welcomed its largest group of incoming student scholarship recipients this semester.

This fall marks the introduction of the largest number of University of Arizona Hispanic Alumni scholars in the history of the organization.

Also known as UAHA, the organization welcomed 70 incoming freshman scholars – up from 44 last year – and, through collaboration with the University’s Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs office, will be helping to support the students and contribute toward their retention.

“The program is aimed at helping first year students make a smooth transition to the University,” said Oscar Lujan, executive director of the UA Hispanic Alumni.

Overall, the organization provided more than $500,000 in student scholarships this year. Hispanic Alumni was formed in 1986 and, since then, has awarded nearly 1,800 scholarships to UA students that amount to more than $4 million.

Much of the scholars’ college costs taken care of through funding from Hispanic Alumni and the UA and they also get weekly training on what to expect from their college years.

Each Hispanic Alumni scholarship recipient who is an incoming freshman is enrolled in a three-unit course – Investigating Learning Strategies 197A, or “Success Express." During the second semester, students take a class through a partnership with Mexican American Studies called “Creating a Successful Student Experience.”

“Our mission is to make students feel comfortable on a campus this large,” said Janet Rico Uhrig, assistant director of Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs, which focuses on student retention, among other things.

“The feedback I’ve gotten back from the students is that they really feel a connection with the community campus, and they find that the course offers a place for them in the academic environment where they feel supported,” Rico Uhrig said. She is co-teaching the course with UA retention specialist Juan Godoy and Benjamin Mills, the retention programs and services coordinator for Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs.

A number of peer mentors also work with the students in the course, which is being taught in three sections for the first time.

As part of the program, the scholars meet weekly and discuss ways to get involved in campus and ways to become successful on campus, among other things. Next month, Tucson city council member Regina Romero will visit to talk about community involvement and civic engagement, Rico Uhrig said.

The students also commit to serving on committees during the semester working on projects related to community service, diversity and leadership. They also organize an event for Dia de los Muertos, an annual event where family and friends honor those who have passed.

It’s an opportunity to build the resume skills of each of the students while also “bringing us together on a common cause – retention,” Rico Uhrig said.

During one of the first class meetings of the semester, Jessica Chapa talked about the benefits of not only being a scholarship recipient, but also being able to spend time with people who come from a similar background.

“It’s going pretty well,” said Chapa, a freshman majoring in microbiology who earned scholarships from both the UAHA in Tucson and also its Phoenix chapter.

“It’s so different from high school, but I’m making friends and am really glad I got the scholarship,” she said.

Hector Acosta, another UAHA scholarship recipient, said he has been “excited” about being on campus and taking part in the “Success Express” program.

“The classroom work is really helpful,” said Acosta, who is studying aerospace engineering. “They teach you about the resources here, let you know what clubs are on campus and about other opportunities, like internships,” he said. “It’s everything. And having the scholarship is an honor and is really helpful.”