The Comité México was founded in 2009 by a group of Mexican Alumni, Parents and Friends. When established, the Comité México had two main objectives:
- To foster a bond and a relationship between the University of San Diego and its Mexican constituents, by conducting outreach efforts with the Mexican community throughout Mexico, the greater San Diego and Southern California region.
- The Comité México committed to raising a minimum of $50,000 to endow a scholarship in support of Mexican and Mexican-American students. The minimum goal of $50,000 was achieved in 2015. As such, the Comité México has permanently established a Mexican legacy of philanthropy at the University of San Diego.
Students of Mexican descent have been a part of every generation at the University of San Diego. By supporting the Comité México Scholarship, donors will help us ensure that future generations of Mexican and Mexican-American students will continue to receive a fine education at the University of San Diego. Please give to the Comité México Scholarship Fund.
APPLICATION LINK:
Application window will open November 27, 2023 and close on February 12, 2024. Click here to apply.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be current and returning USD graduate or undergraduate student in good standing.
• Must be returning the following academic year (not eligible for graduating students.)
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Demonstrated service to USD and/or the community or demonstrate employment in lieu of community service.
• Have Mexican or Mexican-American heritage
• Must have a FAFSA, CA Dream Act, or USD Dream Act application on file and have financial need.
ESSAY PROMPT:
In 500 words, please share how your USD academic experience, combined with your Mexican or Mexican-American heritage/culture have shaped who you are today and how you hope to contribute to your community in the future.
Meet the Alumni Association Comité México Scholars:
Gabrielle Chong-Cebreros '24
Gabrielle is pursueing a Bacchlors in Psychology with a minor in Music. She is a Torero Ambassador, corresponding with the SOAR program, and occasionally attends POC Women's lunch at the Women's Commons to have lunch to discuss college life as a woman of color. Within the Music Minor curriculum, she is passionate about playing the cello, she's played for about seven years, currently she has a cello instructor on campus that provides her with weekly lessons. In the future, she aspires to be a clinical psychologist. She hopes to help future clients by providing music theory and using Spanish to cater to the Hispanic Population in San Diego.
In her own words, "Thank you for the opportunity, and for awarding me this scholarship! It amazes me that alumni are providing this kind of funds to current students, it feels like a full-circle kind of moment! I plan to work harder, knowing that I have some help, thank you so much again!"
Bianca Arellano '21 and '25
Bianca Elisa Arellano is a San Diego native and proudly embraces her Chicana identity. After being inspired to grow as a scholar at San Diego City College, she transferred to UC Berkeley to earn her bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, graduating in 2017. In 2021, Bianca earned her master’s degree in Leadership studies and is now in her first year of the Social Justice for Education PhD program at the University of San Diego.
Currently, Bianca supports the Hermanos Unidos-Brothers United (HUBU), Puente, and Umoja programs at San Diego City College where she puts her passion into praxis. Bianca is dedicated to advancing student success, mentoring students toward reaching their goals, and always encouraging others to do their best. Bianca’s career goal is to become a president of a community college, where she hopes to continue to inspire students towards earning their degree.
Bianca Elisa Arellano is humbled by the gracious support provided by this scholarship. With this financial support, Bianca will be able to continue her studies with less stress focused on loans and more attention dedicated to research. This financial investment in her education reminds her that others are rooting for her success towards earning her PhD.
Carlo Sanchez '23
Carlo Sanchez is a senior pursuing a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Physics and a double minor in Finance and General Music at the University of San Diego. Carlo is a member of Founder's Chapel Choir, where he plays drums at the weekly Sunday night mass. Upon graduation, he hopes to use his skills to create technology and renewable energies for the benefit of society. In his own words, “I would like to thank the USD Alumni and Donors whose contributions made it possible for USD students to continue their education.”
Izabel Guadalupe Solís '25
Izabel Solís is a first-generation college student from Riverside, California. She is a first year, pursuing an International Relations major and economics minor at the University of San Diego. Izabel is a Torero Ambassador, as well as a member of the Association of Chicanx Activist. She currently works in Founders Chapel as a student assistant for the Center for Catholic Thought and Culture. She plans to pursue a law degree and a career centered on helping underrepresented students and families. In her own words, “I would like to thank the USD alumni and donors, who have made this scholarship possible. It is a great honor to have been selected as a recipient of this award. It is because of your generosity that I can continue to pursue my academic dreams at USD. I will continue to strive to make the university proud, and to contribute to the voice of first-generation Mexican American students on campus.”
Nataly Rodriguez '23
Nataly Rodriguez is the first one in her family to attend college and continue into higher education. She is a first-year student in the marriage and family therapy program at USD. Ms. Rodriguez will be doing her practicum at Rady Children’s Hospital in the fall, where she will be providing mental health services to children and families in the community. Nataly was inspired to pursue a career in mental health after learning about the additional challenges and injustices underserved families and children face when pursuing quality mental health services. Upon graduating, she would like to continue providing therapeutic services to underserved populations and help them thrive and heal from adverse life experiences. Nataly would like to thank the donors and USD alumni that have made this scholarship possible. She is incredibly grateful for this opportunity that will allow her to continue her studies and continue to bring awareness to the importance of mental health care in the United States. She hopes this award inspires Mexican-American students to pursue higher education and give back to their communities.
Rachel Cruz '23
Rachel Cruz is a third year, first-generation, undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Spanish. On campus she is actively involved with Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A) and Association of Chicanx Activists (A.Ch.A), and is very grateful to be serving as one of M.E.Ch.A’s Co-Chairs this year. She wants to continue to help strengthen the Latinx community at USD, and in the future hopes to attend law school and/or work at a non-profit to advocate for underrepresented groups. In her own words, “Thank you so much to USD alumni and donors for funding these scholarships, and for supporting Mexican and Mexican-American students. Thank you for making my mother, who has worked incredibly hard for me, smile when she heard I was one of the recipients. You have not only given a smile to students who were awarded a scholarship but also to their families who have been there every step of the way on their educational journey.”
Wendy Mendoza '23
Wendy Mendoza is a first-generation junior on a pre-nursing track, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Biology at USD. Wendy is currently working in the USD Math Department, is involved in the Student Support Services, and has begun volunteering at Palomar Health as a Pathmaker Intern. Ultimately, she strives to become a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner in Pediatrics where she is able to care for and attend to children from birth through their adolescent years; more specifically, Wendy is passionate about employing her Spanish-speaking skills to help minimize the linguistic barrier between Spanish-speaking minority groups and their healthcare providers. In her own words, “I feel very blessed, fortunate, and honored to be a Comité Mexico Scholarship recipient. I am beyond grateful to the donors, alumni, and everyone at USD who has taken a leap of faith to invest in my academics and future. I will never forget my roots and I will always remember everybody who helped me achieve my academic and career goals!
Comité México Scholarship Recipients for 2022-2023:
Wendy Mendoza '23
Rachel Cruz '23
Nataly Rodriguez '23
Izabel Guadalupe Solís '25
Carlo Sanchez '23
Iesha Brown '24
Andrea Gomez '23
Comité México Scholarship Recipients for 2021-2022:
Alexandra Fiallos '23
Alondra Gonzalez '23
Anabel Soto '22
Emery Wehner '22
Shayla Rodriguez '24
Adrielli Ferrer '22
Ashley Gonzalez '23
Theresa Medina '23
Comité México Scholarship Recipients for 2020-2021:
Bobbie Cox '21
Kelly Sanchez '22
Comité México Scholarship Recipients for 2019-2020:
Adriana Gonzalez '21
Nicole Martinez '20
Comité México Scholarship Recipients for 2018-2019:
Daniel Rodriguez '20
Angel Ibarra '19
*Scholarships were given In Memory of Alfonso "Poncho" Ye '91
Comité México Scholarship Recipient for 2017-2018:
Blanca Hernandez '20
*Scholarship was given In Honor of Dr. Timothy O'Malley
Comité México Scholarship Recipients for 2016-2017:
Claudia Dominguez '17
Eduardo Cervantes '17
*Scholarships were given In Memory of Yolanda Rodriguez Ingle