Officials from the Mexican Consulate of Indianapolis recently awarded scholarship funds to two IWU- National & Global students through the scholarship program of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME), a program funded by the Mexican government to help students of Mexican origin who are studying in the United States. IWU-National & Global has matched the funds, bringing each student's total award to $5,000 each. Consul Luis Enrique Franco of the Mexican Consulate of Indianapolis and Matt Lucas, D. Arts, chancellor of IWU-National & Global, recently presented awards at a ceremony at the IWU-Indianapolis West Education Center in Indianapolis.
Angelica Arteaga, an Indianapolis resident and an online student working toward a Bachelor of Science in social work, and Jose Diaz, a Decatur, Ind., resident working toward an Associate of Science in Business at the IWU Fort Wayne Education Center, received the scholarships. "I had begun to worry about how I was going to pay for all of my classes," said Diaz, 39, a father of three and the first in his family to attend college. "This is huge for me. I feel like it's a blessing from God." Diaz is the youngest of 10 children, and he grew up traveling around the country with his parents, who were migrant workers. Just graduating from high school was an accomplishment, Diaz said, noting that he probably attended 20 schools during his childhood and doesn't ever recall finishing an academic year in the same school.
"This is an epic moment in the history of IWU and the office of multicultural enrichment," said Stephen Nelson, associate director of multi-ethnic recruitment for IWU-National & Global. "I am grateful that we have been able to develop this relationship with the Mexican Consulate, and because of their goodwill we are able to provide these generous scholarships to deserving students in need." The goal of the scholarship is to support the development and well-being of students of Mexican descent studying in the United States. Each of Mexico's Consulates participates in the program with higher education institutions across the country. The Indianapolis Consulate serves 90 percent of Indiana, as well as Ohio, Kentucky and southern Illinois. "I am excited that we have been able to recognize these adult learners along their path to accomplishing their educational goals," said Lucas. "This follows in the Wesleyan tradition, and Indiana Wesleyan University is committed to developing a diverse and inclusive community of learners."
To learn more about the Institute of Mexicans Abroad scholarship program, follow this link: http://www.lacooperativa.org/institute-mexicans-abroad/.