NLC Student Awarded the Irma Reyes Citizen Diplomacy Scholarship
June 1, 2023
Northeast Lakeview College is excited to announce that one of its students, Ms. Gabriella Rodriguez, has been selected by the San Antonio Council for International Visitors (SACIV) scholarship committee to receive the prestigious Irma Reyes Citizen Diplomacy Scholarship. The Irma Reyes Diplomacy Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate a strong interest in global affairs and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
Ms. Gabriella “Gaby” Rodriguez was selected for this recognition because “she embodies what it means to be a global citizen. She sought to help others and be of service to her community through volunteer work with children as a youth coach where she was able to help children from diverse backgrounds, many of who did not speak English, not only learn how to play basketball but also learn what it means to be a team. She has always enjoyed bringing people together through her belief that ‘one person is all it takes to change someone’s perspective and make a difference in a community.’”
The Irma Reyes Citizen Diplomacy Scholarship was established to honor all of the work, support, and dedication of Mrs. Irma Reyes throughout more than 30 years in SACIV, and is a $2,000 scholarship with $1,000 funded by SACIV and $1,000 from a local university or college in San Antonio. The Office of International Programs at the Alamo Colleges District will be matching the $1000 dollars from the scholarship foundation for a total of $2000 to be awarded to Ms. Rodriguez.
About Gabriella Rodriguez
Gabriella (Gaby) Rodriguez is studying Business/International Business at Northeast Lakeview College. A daughter of immigrant parents who migrated here from El Salvador when they were in high school, she is a first-generation college student. She says, “my parents came to this country with very little resources and worked hard, even taking multiple jobs, to make a better life for me.”
She came to NLC for financial reasons due to its affordability. She also had other family members attend NLC and who became successful in their future careers. She is grateful for the additional financial assistance this scholarship will provide.
After NLC, she plans to transfer to a university to continue her studies. In the future Gaby hopes to be a leader in the business world and make an impact globally to help people who may not have the means to help themselves, whether that is in this country or somewhere else, regardless of how different or alike they might be - all in hopes of making this country and the world a better place to live.
Northeast Lakeview College congratulates Gabriella on her accomplishment.
About The San Antonio Council for International Visitors
The San Antonio Council for International Visitors (SACIV) is a non-profit, which facilitates short-term professional exchanges for emerging distinguished international leaders, primarily selected by the US Department of State for the purpose of advancing US foreign policy goals and increasing mutual understanding. SACIV members have the opportunity to meet and host these international visitors, helping forge friendships and building bridges. Since 2018, SACIV has coordinated over 170 professional exchange programs, welcoming more than 1,500 visitors representing almost 150 countries to San Antonio.