For DonorsFor Applicants

Enrique Castillo Educational Scholarship

$2,000
2 winners, $1,000 each
Awarded
Application Deadline
Jun 4, 2022
Winners Announced
Jun 19, 2022
Education Level
Any
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate
Race/Ethnicity:
BIPOC
Background:
First-generation college student
Major:
Education, History, or English

Enrique Castillo truly had a passion for education and believed it should be afforded to everyone. As a first generation graduate, Enrique became an educator to ensure people from underserved communities received their fair share of opportunities.

Growing up, Enrique was surrounded by a loving family. His father was a miner, and his mother was a homemaker raising 11 children. Although bright and curious, Enrique had always assumed he’d work in the cooper mines, however a 4th grade teacher recognized his interest in language and encouraged him to pursue his education. Through his mentors encouragement Enrique’s life and education became intertwined. 

Enrique went on to study English, History, and Education at Northern Arizona University. After marrying his college sweetheart and starting his career as a teacher, he went on to complete his Master’s degree.

In whatever role Enrique took on throughout his career, he devoted his life to encouraging others to pursue their education and their dreams. 

This scholarship seeks to honor Enrique’s legacy and passion to promote higher education for all by awarding two BIPOC, first generation students who plan to earn a degree in English, History, or Education.

To apply, please tell us about yourself, the impact you hope to make on the world through your education, and what interests you about English, History, Education, or all.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published March 5, 2022
Essay Topic

Please tell us about yourself. What impact do you hope to make on the world through your interests in Education, English or History?

400–600 words

Winning Applications

Arlett Perez
University of ArizonaTucson, AZ
At a young age, my grandparents taught me the importance of education. They shared their dreams of one day their hard labor paying off for their children and grandchildren. They constantly valued my work ethic and dedication for school and reminded me that I was accomplishing their vision when they mustered up faith and moved to the United States. I have had the privilege of completing my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from The University of Arizona (UArizona), and I am currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Higher Education to explore college access and outreach programs in postsecondary education in depth. My current role as UArizona, Project Director for the Upward Bound at UArizona, allows me to work with first generation, low-income students from Pueblo and Cholla High School in the Tucson Unified School District. My work in Upward Bound is directly impacting a cohort of students with holistic programming that will help them graduate from high school, enter higher education through community college or four-year university, and earn a baccalaureate degree. What is particularly fascinating about this position is that it allows me to record the impact of longitudinal programming, assess college-going cultures, and student relationships while providing academic and social support. I have become familiar with the challenges underserved students and communities face in preparing for postsecondary education, specifically the LatinX community. As a result, in my Ph.D. studies, I continue to explore the challenges students’ experience, the different approaches Upward Bound as a program brings to their academic experience and how it serves to empower students. My work has taught me the importance of working with students and families through a funds of knowledge (FoK) approach in which I use in my research. FoK is an asset-based approach that understands all students and communities have resources that they draw on and can be tapped into to facilitate and enhance their educational success. Furthermore, this position has also allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with faculty from Center for the Study of Higher Education and to conduct meaningful research. I am currently working closely with Dr. Gary Rhoades who is the Upward Bound Principal Investigator. We have worked closely in completing the IRB process and in understanding of students’ social networks, communities’ funds of knowledge and understanding college pathways within Upward Bound. This experience has been interesting as it allows me to dive deeper into students’ perspectives as they navigate everyday challenges, pandemics, and structures of power while attempting to live out their family’s dream for them. I am eager to contribute and further my knowledge of college access. I believe education can change an individual, that can change a community, that can change the world. I seek to explore the experiences of Latino first-generation students and bridge a wider understanding of research and practice for a greater contribution to both LatinX and first-generation communities.
Victoria Garay Rosales
University of California-Los AngelesCalexico, CA

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Jun 4, 2022. Winners will be announced on Jun 19, 2022.