Price Community Scholars Celebrated

A special evening that brought hope, promise and empowerment to several City Heights families was held on Oct. 23 to honor SDSU’s inaugural class of Price Community Scholars and the middle-school students they mentor.

Sponsored by SDSU and the Price Charities, the SDSU freshmen comprising the first Price Community Scholars mingled and shared refreshments with their middle-school mentees and their families. 

About the Price Community Scholars program

The Price Community Scholars program is a new scholarship initiative in which 15 high-achieving students from City Heights and its surrounding areas are each mentoring three middle school students from the same neighborhood.

Funded by a four-year, $472,500 grant from the Price Family Charitable Fund, each scholar will receive an annual scholarship up to $7,500. Most of the scholars are first-generation college students.

The community service component is what makes this scholarship initiative different from the others. The kickoff event emphasized to the middle school students and their families what a unique opportunity they have and welcomed them into the Aztec Family.

A special program

SDSU President Elliot Hirshman introduced the program and said, “The Price Community Scholars program is a very special program. It is a scholarship program with a twist. Our price community scholars are among our best and brightest. They have an average GPA of 3.9 and, here’s the twist: our Price Community Scholars are more than just high achieving students. They are young people who are committed to giving back to their community.”

Hirshman also acknowledged the pivotal role of Robert Price, President of Price Charities, in making the program a reality, stating. “I want to thank Robert Price for his vision and the Price Family Charitable Fund for their support. It is through your vision and support that great things happen, for students and families in City Heights and for San Diego State.”

The parents and family members of the middle school students were also provided encouragement and resources. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Rivera, a first-generation college student, spoke of the opportunity that the parents now have to guide their students to higher education.

“Even though my parents were very hard working and caring, they didn’t understand what was needed to go to college or the whole process for higher education,” Rivera said.

“I was lucky to find a mentor who helped me out, but it was after I had graduated high school. You can help your son and daughter now to stay on track for higher education with the help of resources we provide for you at SDSU and the Parent Institute for Quality Education program. We have many resources to help you understand the process and affordability through financial aid programs.”

Noteable speakers

In addition to President Hirshman and Associate Vice President Rivera, other speakers included Vice President for Student Affairs James R. Kitchen, Residential Education Director Christy Samarkos, Residential Education Assistant Director Wendy Aleman, and Tad Parzen, Executive Vice President of Price Charities.

In total, there were 126 in attendance at the City Heights office.

Aleman, who coordinates the Price Community Scholars program, said that she is passionate about the potential to positively impact the lives of not only the 15 scholars, but also the lives of those around them.

“Like pebbles gently tossed in the pond, each individual in the program produces a ripple effect that impacts everyone around them,” Aleman said.

“When I think about this program, I think about inspiration and hope for a future full of possibilities. For all our mentors and mentees, this future will someday include a college diploma.  Ultimately, the program is about creating a path that supports students in obtaining a higher education.  Yet, it is about so much more than this, it is about inspiring, empowering, mentoring, and serving others."