Fresno Pacific University representatives attended a ceremony November 29, 2016, at the Consulate of Mexico as part of a scholarship program. FPU received a $15,000 scholarship from the consulate—part of a $35,000 investment in education by the consulate to support students in the Valley. The gift was FPU’s first and was the largest award given.
Funds came through Mexican government’s Institute of Mexicans Abroad’s IME Becas. Other honorees were UC Merced’s Students Advocating Law and Education, PROTEUS and Education and Leadership Foundation.
Through this program, the Government of Mexico seeks to help students of Mexican origin residing the United States to reach their academic and professional goals, empowering them to better integrate and contribute to both their current community and their places of origin, according to a consulate statement. “We are very proud because of the emphasis that the Government of Mexico places on promoting higher education on their community abroad,” declared Head Consul David Preciado, “particularly because IME Becas gives an opportunity to those who would not otherwise qualify for financial aid.”
Dina Gonzales-Piña, assistant dean of multicultural ministries, and Maribel Viveros, director of institutional research, wrote FPU’s proposal. “We are much honored in partnering this year with the Consulate of Mexico in providing scholarships to a number of talented, brilliant and culturally committed students as they pursue their academic goals and prepare them to be better leaders,” Gonzalez-Piña said.
FPU representatives were (starting third-from-left in the photo) Nayely Carlos, human resources; Gonzales-Piña; Jose Espinoza, Jon Endicott, Dahne Watson, Slavik Gladysch, all admissions and enrollment; and Dale Simmons, administration.
The only diplomatic representation in the Central Valley, the Consulate of Mexico in Fresno serves approximately 1.5 million Mexican nationals in the counties of Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare under the direction of Head Consul David Preciado.