Mexican Consulate’s Donation Helps Boost Scholarship Fund

Aurora, Colo. – The Consulate General of Mexico in Denver is once again reaffirming its commitment to educational excellence by donating a generous gift of $9,000 to the Community College of Aurora (CCA) and the CCA Foundation to help boost an important scholarship fund. 

The IME-Becas scholarship program provides financial assistance to students of Mexican descent, who are pursuing a college education. This marks the seventh consecutive year the Consulate General and CCA have partnered for this effort, distinguishing the school as a leader in Hispanic education. 

In addition to the gift, the CCA Foundation has pledged to contribute an additional amount of $750 to each scholarship recipient for a second semester scholarship, as well as another $9,000 through the Aurora Gives Scholarship program. Leaders say these combined gifts make it the largest amount for any of the IME-Becas partnerships. 

CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee emphasized the impact of the money on students’ educational opportunities saying, “On behalf of the Community College of Aurora, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Consulate General of Mexico in Denver, under the exemplary leadership of Pavel Melendez Cruz, for their unwavering support and commitment to our institution. Our continued partnership has enhanced our educational programs and fostered a vibrant, inclusive learning environment.”

The Consulate General of Mexico, Pavel Melendez Cruz, thanked CCAF for matching and exceeding the funds provided by the Mexican Government through the IME-Becas program and highlighted “the importance of these scholarships for students’ success in the academic field. Thanks to them, students will have greater peace of mind and can concentrate on what is really important: their studies.” 

Scholarship recipients say the money helps them achieve their academic goals while reducing financial burdens of attending college. CCA student Sara Morales was awarded the scholarship this year. It was her second consecutive year earning the scholarship. 

Morales says, “I am proud to be from an American Mexican heritage. My father was born and raised in Juárez Mexico.  When my father was about four or five years old, his family moved to the United States. I am pursuing my nursing degree because I want to be the first Registered Nurse in my family who is from an American Mexican heritage,  who has achieved this accomplishment.”

She says the award will offer tremendous financial relief. “I do pay part of my tuition out of my own pocket as well. This program is an amazing program to have at CCA. I also feel like I’m not just achieving my goal for myself, but I am also representing my Mexican heritage as well.”

John Wolfkill, CCA Foundation’s executive director, celebrated the continued partnership, “The partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Denver provides critical resources for students like Sara to become the first nurse in her family’s history. We are grateful for the Consulate’s partnership to make academic and career dreams a reality for CCA students.”

CCA is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). To be considered an HSI, an institution must have at least 25 percent of Hispanic enrollment. Currently, enrollment of Hispanic and LatinX students is 34 percent. CCA was designated an HSI in 2016 and remains Colorado’s most diverse college. 

The IME-Becas partnership is one way the college seeks to ensure students who may come from an underrepresented community are given an equitable opportunity to go to and pay for college. As a federally-designated HSI, CCA is eligible for additional federal grant funding to assist in the expansion of program offerings, facilities, and services for this student population. 

Leaders from the college were on hand for a check presentation ceremony for the event. To see images from that presentation, click HERE.