As a member of the Hispanic community and immigrant to the United States, higher education changed the course of my life. Which is why I’m excited to announce a collaboration between Western Governors University (WGU) and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). The partnership features a community outreach scholarship that will increase access to education for Hispanics through affordable, competency-based, online education.

The WGU Community Outreach Partnership will award $5,000 to each recipient, providing an affordable, accredited way to advance careers by completing an online degree.

This partnership with USHCC is particularly meaningful to me. I deeply understand the challenges of obtaining a higher education to better your future; I experienced all those challenges myself. This collaboration provides access to flexible education and financial aid through the Community Partners Scholarship. For those with a dream to obtain an education and successful career, this partnership provides tools to make it possible.

With this partnership, we will reach more of the Hispanic population via USHCC’s national network and present WGU’s educational options and scholarships. This is important since many Hispanic people believe there aren’t options for them to attend college. They think they can’t afford it or have time in their busy schedules. One of the biggest barriers to education is cost, but paying for a quality degree shouldn’t have to be unaffordable. At WGU, you can earn a respected degree for about half the national average for a bachelor’s degree.

Under the partnership, USHCC members, or anyone informed by employees or members of local chapters, are eligible to apply for this scholarship. WGU’s Community Outreach Scholarship partners with several community and nonprofit organizations around the country to continue to expand access to higher education for historically underserved populations.

I am especially proud that this partnership announcement comes during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. I highly encourage my community members to apply for this scholarship and look into the opportunities available for them to pursue a college degree.

Ismar Vallecillos

Regional director for Western Governors University

Salt Lake City

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