SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

I have been fortunate to be a part of the Imperial Valley University Partnership program that is offered to San Diego State University-Imperial Valley students and through this opportunity I was able to obtain the IVUP! scholarship which has pushed me forward in my educational goals and encouraged me to become involved on campus.

Through this opportunity I have had the ability to demonstrate leadership in school, volunteer projects, and my work environment. During my time at SDSU-IV I have volunteered for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Hispanic Serving Institutions Regional office where I was able to promote varied regional higher education projects to youth members of my community and also scholarships and internships that are available through the USDA to students that attend SDSU-IV and other Hispanic serving institutions in Southern California and Arizona.

I am currently partaking in a paid internship through the Watershed Management Experiential Learning Watershed Internship which has helped me become involved in serving the community through promoting the AgDiscovery program to students throughout the Imperial Valley and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities-Hispanic National Internship Program scholarship to university and community college students throughout Southern California and Arizona. I have also been able to encourage students at SDSU-IV campus and SDSU main campus to become involved with leadership initiatives and program related experiences. I recently attended the SDSU Aztec Core Leadership retreat and participated in workshops and activities that have inspired me to become a leader through my academics and career related experience.

I was able to encourage other students at our campus to be involved with this experience and also promote leadership among them. I also attended the 2017 SDSU Career Fair with the USDA-HSI Regional Office and promoted internships and a program related conference to students at main campus. I will also continue to participate in program related experiences. I recently attended the 2017 Southwest Ag Summit in Yuma, Ariz., and will also experience the “Working for the Great Outdoors” with the U.S. Forest Service this year as an SDSU-IV student. I look forward to continuing my education at SDSU-IV and I am excited to serve as a member of the SDSU-IV Associated Students next school year where I plan on engaging with other students and discussing different ideas that can improve our campus.

— Emily Estrada