The Pan American Round Table of Austin awards scholarships each year to deserving undergraduate students in the Greater Austin Area.
The PART Austin University of Texas at Austin Scholarship (initiated in honor of Charles Wilson and Jeannie Hunter Hackett) of $2,000 is awarded to an outstanding Latin American undergraduate (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) student (female or male) enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin.
PART Austin First Generation Scholarship (initiated by Gloria Mata Pennington) of $2,000 is awarded to a Latina undergraduate student, residing in the Greater Austin area, who has been accepted and is enrolled in a college or university in any year (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) of her undergraduate studies and who would be the first in her family to attend college and receive a degree.
PART Austin Post-Secondary Scholarship (initiated in honor of Mitty Guerra) of $2,000 is awarded to an economically disadvantaged Latina undergraduate student, residing in the Greater Austin area, for the purpose of completing her educational goals. Eligibility requirements include enrollment in a trade or vocational program, community college, or four-year college or university.
2023 Scholarships Recipients
PART Austin University of Texas at Austin Scholarship
Mariana Gracia
B.S. Chemical Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
Home country: Colombia
“I am extremely honored to receive this generous award. I was born in Colombia but have lived in the U.S. with my parents most of my life up until last year when they had to leave back to Bogota. Currently, I am studying chemical engineering at UT Austin and working two jobs to help meet unexpected financial responsibilities. This award could not have come at a better time as it gives me so much support financially which allows me to focus more on my rigorous studies. I love what I study because I am passionate about helping create a sustainable future with cutting-edge, energy technology. I appreciate everyone who helped make this happen and I’m excited to pay it forward one day!”
PART Austin First Generation Scholarship
Cesilia Corona
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
“Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me as it signifies the support of my community toward my academic and personal goals. It’s not just about the financial assistance but also the recognition of my efforts and potential, which gives me the confidence to pursue my dreams with more determination. I feel grateful and motivated to make the most of this opportunity and keep giving back to my community.”
PART Austin Post Secondary Scholarship
Elisa Pedraza
B.F.A. Performance and Production major with a Business Administration and Honors Studies minors
Texas State University
Home country: Mexico
“I would like to thank you again for awarding me this scholarship to further my education, I am beyond grateful.”
“Elisa would like to thank the Pan American Round Table organization for awarding her this scholarship. Currently, she is a BFA Performance and Production major with a Business Administration and Honors Studies minors. She is an advocate for the arts, equity and uses her voice to shine light on social issues through the use of theatre.”
PART Austin Post Secondary Scholarship
Tanya Velazquez
B.A. Journalism | B.A. Latin American Studies
University of Texas at Austin
“Last semester, I applied to and was selected for UTNY, a competitive internship program sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin. The program requires that I obtain an internship in New York City for the upcoming summer. However, the program has substantial fees, along with the numerous high costs of living in New York. Though I am from a low-income background, I have viewed this opportunity as essential to my future success as a journalist.
I am pleased to share with the Pan-American Round Table of Austin that I have accepted an offer with CBS News for the Summer 2023 Race and Culture Unit Intern position in NYC!
With the help of the 2023 PART Post-Seconday Scholarship, I will be able to complete the UTNY program without worrying about depleting my funds for the upcoming school year. It is because of you that I am many steps closer to accomplishing my dreams and making a positive impact on the Latino community as an aspiring bilingual news reporter.”
The 2024 Scholarships will open again in January 2024.
For questions about any of the scholarships, contact the Scholarship Chair at scholarship@austinpanam.com.
TO APPLICANTS: Please, before applying, first read the detailed descriptions and requirements of each of the scholarships. Click on the blue button just below:
2022 Scholarships Recipients
Charles Wilson Hackett Memorial Scholarship
Ana López H.
UT Austin doctoral student at LLILAS, conducting research on the lives of women who earn a living as paid domestic workers in Colombia
Home country: Colombia
‘I have had the opportunity to work with Ana since the beginning of the Fall 2019 semester, her first semester at UT Austin. Ana is a highly motivated, intelligent, and hardworking student and has always come across as a mature and respectful student in her interactions with me and with other students. Her research project on the lives of women employed as domestic workers in Colombia is a highly needed and relevant project in the region.“
Gloria González-López, Ph.D.
C.B. Smith Sr. Centennial Chair # 1 in US-Mexico Relations Professor of Sociology
Becoming a visible voice in the Colombian literary landscape.
“I started writing when I was nine and, since then, I have always dreamed of becoming a writer. Creative writing is an essential part of my life, research, and how I make sense of the world. My literary career has begun to give fruit, and I plan to continue writing and publishing literary texts. In November 2021, I started my first novel project, which I hope to finish this year.“
Ana Lopez H.
Jeannie Hunter Hackett Memorial Scholarship
Lesly Chávez
UT Austin Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Latino Studies
Home country: Mexico
“I met Lesly because of her interest in working as a research assistant on my study looking at the Cardiovascular Disease Perception, Risk, and Health Seeking Behavior of Agricultural Workers in Texas. Much of this work involves outreach and health education. Lesly has assisted on two community events consisting of direct contact with farmworkers and day laborers on health outreach and community engagement. Lesly’s cultural background helps her complete study tasks. She is bilingual and of Mexican descent. She is also the daughter of agricultural workers, experienced traveling for seasonal work, and lived in migrant worker housing. This allowed her to understand Spanish speaker’s words and the cultural context they were sharing.
Kimberly Y. Prado, PhD, MPH
Research Affiliate, The University of Texas at Austin
Gloria Mata Pennington Scholarship
Melody Geiger
UT Austin BS in Arts and Entertainment Technologies and
BA in Spanish
“My parents both came from extremely low income Hispanic households and have worked hard all their lives to get where they are now. Now in college, I have declared a Spanish major because I want to relearn for myself, and also pass on the Hispanic culture and Spanish language to my children one day. In further dedication to this goal, I have secured a Spring 2022 study abroad in Queretaro, Mexico (¡Saludos desde Querétaro!) where I am staying with a host family and will be taking classes in Spanish in order to reconnect with my heritage. All this is to say I am entirely devoted to my goals both academically, financially, and personally, and I will continue to pursue them with great determination.“
Melody Geiger
Mitty Guerra Memorial Scholarship
Victoria Guerrero
Bachelor of Arts
St. Edward’s University
“I am a freshman attending St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. I am a Latina majoring in Global Studies and I am the first person in my family to attend college. As of right now, I am receiving funds from a program called CAMP, or the College Assistance Migrant Program. This program assists students who are in financial need and have family members who have worked in agriculture.
When it comes to a current obstacle, just being a first-generation Latina college student is an obstacle in itself. I’m having to overcome so many barriers and I have had to learn how to navigate college on my own too. I am the first person in my family to be achieving such an amazing feat. Knowing that I am making my parents proud while setting an example for my little siblings makes all the obstacles worthwhile.“
Victoria Guerrero
Mitty Guerra Memorial Scholarship
Andromeda Vega
Austin Community College – Nursing
“I’ve been in college since August of 2013 after graduating High School. I went to the University of Houston. It was short lived. I went off to college with a defective laptop and a phone that died often. I realized I didn’t have the proper tools or finances to succeed there.
I found out I was pregnant in December of 2018 in the middle of completing the last few requisites I needed to apply to the competitive nursing program at ACC. I was hopeless with a newborn and didn’t know how I was going to reach my own dreams of becoming a Nurse. How was I going to provide for my child and myself?
I was referred to the Jeremiah Program. A program for single moms who were in college and with an onsite daycare. A dream come true. I applied to the LVN program at ACC, was accepted and now I am in level 3 of 4 with plans to graduate with an Associate Degree of Nursing in December of 2022. I have worked extremely hard to get here. There’s been a lot of tears and it’s surreal that I’m here and that I’ve even made it this far.“
Andromeda Vega
2021 Scholarships Recipients
2021 Charles Wilson Hackett Memorial Scholarship
Ruth Herenia Matamoros-Mercado
PhD in UT Austin Latin American Studies
Home country: Nicaragua
“Ruth is part of a generation of PhD candidates seriously challenged by the effects of this pandemic period, with all its detrimental impacts on the pace of research endeavors…In Ruth’s case, as a mother of two children living alone with them in Austin, Texas, away from her husband and the rest of her family, during the Summer of 2020, she had to reorganize her living situation to stay in the United States…Ruth’s research project on the role of land politics as part of the indigenous Miskitu responses to the colonial and racial history of Nicaragua and the Central American region constitutes a tremendously relevant theme in the field of Indigenous Studies.“
Luis E. Cárcamo-Huechante. The University of Texas at Austin
2021 Jeannie Hunter Hackett Memorial Scholarship
Valeria Colunga
UT Austin – International Relations and Global Studies (Major 1) & Latin American Studies (Major 2)/ French Studies
Home country – Mexico
“I met Valeria in 2020 when she joined the Humanity Lab Foundation as a Research and Policy Intern…In her work with Humanity Lab, Valeria worked directly with me and contributed substantially towards the policy and advocacy of our work…Valeria worked on research, research analysis and preparation of policy briefings for Humanity Lab’s executive team. Her thirst for information and understanding made her a crucial thinking-partner for me and our core leadership team. Her commitment, professionalism and passion for social justice was invaluable to the success of our work.
In working alongside Valeria, I am deeply aware of her passion for international development and social justice and her commitment to advancing herself in these areas of work. Having the unique vantage point of knowing Valeria and her work, I am confident that this scholarship will tremendously impact her personal life and will further enhance her capacity to be an asset to the University of Texas at Austin.“
Hazami Barmada, Founder & Chairperson, Humanity Lab Foundation
2021 Mitty Guerra Memorial Scholarship
Danna Quiriarte
UT Austin Bachelors of Science in Public Health
Danna attends UT Austin, works two jobs, and supports her family. Danna was inspired to study Public Health as a result of serious illness in her family. She is described as “an individual…who is consistently present and always more focused and more integrated in a conversation…she actively participates in her community, juggling part time education and working 30+ hours a week to care for her family. Danna does all of this with an unwaveringly positive disposition. She’s always smiling, always warm…she is a model student, more well-rounded and adept than many adults. She is the sort of individual that takes care of a task or responsibility without any question.“
Bryan C. Parker, Cedar Ridge High School, Round Rock, TX
The First 2021 Gloria Mata Pennington Scholarship
Lilibeth Ramirez
UT Austin Applied Learning Development: EC-6 Bilingual Generalist Teacher Certification
First Generation Student – “Lilibeth is a critical thinker who can both analyze and synthesize information quickly and accurately, which is an important skill for students who endeavor to pursue advanced degrees. There were several instances where Lilibeth demonstrated initiative in creating supplemental learning opportunities and tools for herself and classmates, which, in my opinion, was very impressive, given that she was only a first-year college student. Those types of characteristics are rare in first-year students, so she definitely caught my attention. Her work and initiative in our signature course were exceptional, and we could always depend on her to be prepared and lead the class in discussions. On many occasions, she was the most knowledgeable, and her peers looked to her for her insight and opinions…I have come to know her as a hardworking and professional young woman who is focused, organized, and passionate about uplifting others’ lives. In addition, she is a bright young lady with great character. She possesses strong communication skills and an impeccable work ethic.“
Tiffany T. Lewis, Ph.D., Director, Gateway Scholars & Longhorn Link (SSS) Programs Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence (LCAE)
2020 Scholarships Recipients
2019 Scholarships Recipients
Ricardo Velasco Trujillo – Charles Wilson Hackett Memorial Scholarship Katuscia Koch – Mitty Guerra Memorial Scholarship
Andres Miranda – Jeannie Hunter Hackett Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Descriptions and Scoring Guides
2023 PART Austin University of Texas at Austin Scholarship
The 2022-2023 PART Austin University of Texas at Austin Scholarship (initiated in honor of Charles Wilson and Jeannie Hunter Hackett), in the amount of $2,000, is awarded to an outstanding Latin American born undergraduate student (female or male). “Latin American” includes students from countries in the Americas where Spanish or Portuguese languages prevail: Mexico, most of Central or South America, parts of the Caribbean, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The eligible applicant must be an undergraduate student (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) enrolled for 2022-2023 at the University of Texas at Austin. There are no restrictions for the areas of study.
REQUIRED:
- Online application is complete. NOTE: If applicant is applying for more than one PART Austin scholarship, a separate complete application must be submitted for each scholarship.
- Enrollment Certificate or official Transcript with GPA is provided. No “unofficial” enrollment certificates or transcripts are acceptable.
- One current (dated within 6 months of the application date) letter of recommendation from an instructor or employer is provided.
- An essay is provided. The essay should include applicant’s: 1) country of birth; 2) cultural background and a description of their journey to the University of Texas at Austin, and; 3) previous PART Austin scholarship applications, if any, with the name and date of the scholarship. (Minimum 500 words.)
____________________________________________________________________
Scoring Guide – Point system (30 points maximum). A minimum of 25 points is required for consideration.
-GPA (10 points)
10 – 9 pts = 3.67 GPA or better
5 – 4 pts = 3.66 GPA – 2.7 GPA
0 pts <= 2.69 GPA
Points_______
-Essay/statement (total of 20 points). In addition to personal information describing the applicant’s cultural background, journey to the University of Texas at Austin, and any previous PART Austin scholarship application(s), the essay should include the following:
- Honors received (5 points)
5 pts = Excellent (2 honors or more)
3 pts = Very Good (1 honor)
Points_______
- Sources of financial support (family, employment, scholarships) (5 points)
5 pts = Excellent, shows strong personal initiative
3 points = Very Good
2 pts = Average
Points_______
- Participation in campus or community activities (5 points)
5 pts = Excellent, shows strong personal initiative and/or leadership qualities
3 pts = Good
2 pts = Average
Points________
- Career plans after graduation (5 points)
5 pts = Excellent, strong sense of personal goals
3 pts = Good
2 pts = Average
Points___________
Total Points:__________
2023 First Generation Scholarship
(Initiated by Gloria Mata Pennington)
The 2022-2023 PART Austin First Generation Scholarship (initiated by Gloria Mata Pennington), in the amount of $2,000, is awarded to a Latina enrolled in a college or university as an undergraduate student (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) in the Greater Austin area* (i.e., Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, San Marcos, Pflugerville – for complete description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Austin ). This scholarship is for a Latina first-generation student only. First-generation student is classified as: 1) Neither applicant’s parents nor legal guardians have completed a bachelor’s degree; 2) Applicant’s parents/guardians may have earned an associate degree, have taken college courses, or be in the process of taking college courses; 3) Applicant is the first person from her family to attend a four-year college.
There are no restrictions for the areas of study.
A minimum of 25 points is required for consideration.
The eligible applicant is getting the first four-year bachelor’s degree in her household/family, making her a “first-generation” student (even if a sibling is getting one, too).
___________________________________________________________________
Required:
- Complete online application. NOTE: If applicant is applying for more than one PART Austin scholarship, a separate complete application must be submitted for each scholarship.
- Enrollment Certificate or official Transcript with GPA. No “unofficial” enrollment certificates or transcripts are acceptable.
- One current (dated within 6 months of the application date) letter of recommendation from an instructor or employer describing applicant’s academic performance, ethics, family background, and character.
- An essay describing applicant’s background (family and culture), challenges (financial need), resources (employment), and goals (plans). Any previous PART Austin scholarship application(s) should be noted. (Minimum 500 words)
Scoring Guide – Point System – (30 points maximum). A minimum of 25 points is required for consideration.
-Application (5 points)
5 pts = Excellent – application is clear and complete
3 pts = Good – application is complete
0 pts = incomplete
Points __________
– GPA (5 points)
5 pts = 3.67 GPA or better
4 pts = 3.66 GPA – 2.7 GPA
3 pts = 2.69 – 1.7 GPA
Points_______
– Essay (total of 20 points). Essay includes the following:
- Description of parent(s) and or guardian(s) education level and applicant’s cultural ancestry (5 points).
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 pts = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points_______
- Description of financial need (5 points)
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 points = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points_______
- Employment and/or financial resources (5 points)
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 points = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points________
- Educational goals and a time frame for accomplishing them (5 points)
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 points = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points___________
Total Points:__________
2023 Post-Secondary Scholarship
Post-secondary education includes universities and colleges as well as trade and vocational schools. (This scholarship is for undergraduate students only.)
The 2022-2023 PART Austin Post-Secondary Scholarship (initiated in honor of Mitty Guerra), in the amount of $2000, is awarded to an undergraduate Latina residing in the Greater Austin area* (i.e., Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, San Marcos, Pflugerville – for complete description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Austin ) who has shown determination in overcoming barriers and is in need of financial assistance to accomplish her educational goals. Applicants must be enrolled in a postsecondary school. Applicants may be enrolled in an accredited technical, trade, or vocational school; an accredited community or junior college with certificate programs; or a four-year college or university. Any area of study is acceptable.
Note: Two separate scholarships will be awarded in 2023.
REQUIRED:
- Complete online application. NOTE: If applicant is applying for more than one PART Austin scholarship, a separate complete application must be submitted for each scholarship.
- Enrollment (program/school document) certificate with GPA, official Transcript, or proof of mastery and standing from an area technical, trade or vocational school. Official Transcript with GPA from a community or junior college, or four-year college or university. No “unofficial” enrollment certificates or transcripts are acceptable.
- One current (dated within 6 months of the application date) letter of recommendation from an instructor or employer describing applicant’s academic performance, ethics, family background, and character.
- An essay describing applicant’s challenges to accomplish her educational goals, including educational barriers, and family and financial needs. Any previous PART Austin scholarship application(s) should be noted. (Minimum 500 words).
____________________________________________________________________
Scoring Guide – Point system (30 points maximum). A minimum of 25 points is required for consideration.
-Application (5 points):
5 pts = Excellent (application and letter are clear and complete)
3 pts = Good (application is complete)
0 pts = incomplete
Points __________
-GPA (5 points)
5 pts = 3.67 GPA or better
4 pts = 3.66 GPA – 2.7 GPA
3 pts = 2.69 – 1.7 GPA
Points:_______
-An essay (total of 20 points) of at least 500 words. The essay must include:
- Description of barriers to education (5 points)
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 pts = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points_______
- Description of needs and responsibilities (for children, parents, siblings, or spouse) (5 points)
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 pts = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points_______
- Employment and/or financial resources (5 points)
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 pts = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points_______
- Educational goals and a time frame for accomplishing them (5 points)
5 – 4 pts = Excellent (outstanding)
3 pts = Good (clear and complete)
2 pts = Average
Points_______
Total Points:__________
PART of Austin 