The Mexican Consulate of St. Paul and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) presented St. Cloud State University with a $4,000 scholarship grant to expand educational opportunities for Mexican and Mexican-Americans Nov. 22 in part of the IME-Becas Scholarship Program.
“It will be a great help to support some of our students who need the most financial resources and to enhance our collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in St. Paul,” said Shahzad Ahmad, director of Multicultural Student Services at St. Cloud State.
The IME-Becas Scholarship Program addresses the challenge to improve access opportunities for Mexican and Mexican-Americans in all educational levels to ultimately lead to the improvement of their social and economic mobility. The program is aimed at low-income students enrolled in basic, university and technological education.
The funds provided by the Mexican Consulate require matching funds from the University to be used directly to support Mexican/Mexican-American students.
In recent years, St. Cloud State has been working with several institutions in the Mexican states of Guanajuato, Baja California and Hidalgo to develop relationships and implement short and long term study abroad opportunities.
“Our goal is to provide students with the tools to succeed academically, professionally and socially by offering financial literacy and career development workshops, mentorship opportunities and have students connect and promote pride and identity in their culture,” said Martha Noyola, associate director of Advising and Student Transitions.
