Services for Women
      and Non-Traditional Students  

Mi CASA
Community College Scholars

Introduction

     In the Fall of 2008, the San Antonio College Department of Services for Women &
Non-Traditional Students received a $100,000 award from the Greater Texas Foundation. One quarter of the money, $25,000 was utilized to establish the Mi CASA Scholarship Program.

     Twenty scholars were selected to be Mi CASA Community College Scholars for the 2008/2009 school year and to serve as mentors to participants of the HUD-funded Mi CASA. The Mi CASA (Career Advancement and Self-Sufficiency Assistance) targets individuals in neighborhoods surrounding San Antonio College who are low-to-moderate income and desire training and education in programs that will lead to higher paying jobs and self-sufficiency.

     To be selected as a Scholar, each participant was required to live in the targeted area and be enrolled in at least six college hours. As part of their duties, they were required to attend 16 hours of leadership development training and conduct a minimum of two community outreach activities per semester. These outreach activities were invaluable in helping to spread the word in the community about the free services available through the Mi CASA

and included varied activities such as creating a commercial, providing information sessions at local organizations, neighborhood associations, schools, and even providing workshop instruction for program participants.

     Scholars participated in workshops themselves on such topics as Career Exploration, Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, Career Portfolio, Basic Computer Skills, Financial Literacy, and Homebuyer Education. Scholars also served as volunteers at the department's annual Women Empowered (WE) Outreach and Recruitment Conference, helping to make the event a tremendous success!

     The remainder of the money received by the Greater Texas Foundation ($75,000) was utilized to establish a scholarship endowment for residents of the targeted neighborhood, ensuring that residents of the target neighborhood will forever have access to education.

Mi CASA Community College Scholars!
Please click the link below to meet our
2008/2009 Mi CASA Community College Scholars!