The college access and success field is old enough that classes of
students we’ve supported have graduated and are now creating the change
we want to see in the world. As NCAN marks 25 years of progress in the
effort to close equity gaps in higher education, our Alumni Spotlight
series will feature the stories of outstanding alumni who have come
through our member organizations over the years.
At a time such as this, we believe it’s still important to share
the success stories of the students our members serve. We hope you enjoy
the series and this week’s alumni.
Stephanie López always knew she wanted to return to the Denver Scholarship Foundation to impact her community, just like her own DSF Advisor did. After earning her bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Denver, Stephanie did exactly that – she
currently serves as the college success coordinator at DSF.
Read more about Stephanie’s story below.
Note: The responses below have been lightly copy edited for clarity.
Tell us a story of how a mentor or counselor helped you on your journey to earn your postsecondary degree/credential.
In high school, my Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) College Advisor was an essential part of me learning about the college-going process, especially as a first-generation student, and introduced me to opportunities I did not know existed. He shared
knowledge, tools, and resources that helped me discover colleges, majors, and scholarships. He also offered advice, such as finding community on campus, and went the extra step by helping me make connections at my chosen institution.
One of my favorite memories is of my family meeting my College Advisor for the first time and expressing their gratitude for his support. My mother was not able to help me navigate applying for college and was thankful I had someone to guide me.
As a student, what hurdles did you face while getting your postsecondary degree/credential?
The first year of college was challenging as I learned to bring together two parts of my world, family and college life. While I was finding a rhythm on campus balancing courses, studying, and work, I felt disconnected from my family because I was having
new challenges and experiences that they were not able to relate to.
I am thankful for the first-generation community my DSF College Advisor connected me with because our shared experiences helped me realize I was not alone, and they taught me how to navigate conversations with my family about what I was going through
as a first-generation student. All their support helped make my college experience part of my family as much as it was part of me.
Why was it important for you to get your postsecondary degree/credential?
My parents came to the United States with a dream of a better future for our family. They encouraged me to do well in school because it would lead to more career options than they were able to have and provide me with opportunities for financial stability.
When my DSF College Advisor helped me understand the impact of a college degree, I knew furthering my education would give my parents the opportunity to see their dream become a reality and for me to help provide for them after years of hard work.
What inspires you to work in your field?
I am inspired by first-generation college students breaking down barriers in educational and professional spaces. I am inspired by my colleagues who give their all to support our students on their college journeys. I am inspired knowing the impact access
and opportunity have on a life trajectory. Most of all, I am inspired by my family whose reflections I see in the students I work with and remind me why our work is invaluable.
In light of COVID-19, it’s important for students to hear words of encouragement from those who were in their shoes not long ago. What advice would you give to students right now?
The advice I would like to share with students right now is to stay connected with the individuals and organizations supporting them along the way. Connection with others reminds us we are not alone, helps us to overcome challenges and celebrate successes,
as well as provides opportunities for growth.
The challenges we are facing in this moment as a nation, and as a world are difficult, and connections with our communities helps us to fill our cups, strengthen, and encourage us.
What drew you back to the Denver Scholarship Foundation?
What drew me back to Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) was its mission to inspire and empower Denver Public Schools’ students just like me. It all started in my high school’s DSF Future Center, the space created to support students to access higher
education. Through my DSF College Advisor, I saw the values our organization embodies and puts into action.
I knew I wanted to be part of an organization impacting generations of families.
Why is it important to you to give back to the Denver Scholarship Foundation?
It is important for me to give back to Denver Scholarship Foundation because our community is worth the investment.
How have you seen the college access and success fields change?
I have witnessed the college access and success fields further align their goals to strengthen access to higher education, such as partnerships between school districts and higher education institutions to have collective impact. There is also work being
done to further connect higher education institutions with public and private sectors to provide intentional opportunities for our students to experience their fields of interest. These changes demonstrate the progress we have made and that there
is still room to further our reach.
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