UCM Announces Creation of Third Cesar Chavez Scholarship for KC Hispanic Students

By Mike Greife, February 25, 2016

PHOTO: Signing the memorandum of understanding that creates the third Cesar Chavez Scholarship to be offered by the University of Central Missouri were, left to right, UCM President Chuck Ambrose; Joe Arce, chair of the Cesar Chavez Scholarship Committee; and Chris Medina, chair of the Guadalupe Education Systems Board of Directors.

WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Central Missouri will expand its outreach into the Kansas City area Hispanic community with the addition of a third the Cesar Chavez Scholarship to be made available to Kansas City area Hispanic students.

In a special assembly at Alta Vista Charter High School in Kansas City Jan. 21, UCM President Chuck Ambrose announced to eligible Alta Vista High School juniors and seniors that UCM will fund the third Cesar Chavez Scholarship for a metropolitan Kansas City area student of Hispanic descent to attend UCM. The new scholarship will be in addition to the two Cesar Chavez scholarships already provided annually by the university.

The agreement was finalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UCM, the Cesar Chavez Scholarship Committee, and the Guadalupe Educational Systems Board.

The Cesar Chavez Scholarships each provide $12,500 to the recipient, or $3,125 per year over four years, for study at UCM. Scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition and fees, housing or books.

Since it was founded in 2003, scholarships have been presented to 20 students, with six completing degrees in broadcast media, nursing, psychology and public relations, Spanish and special education. The first scholarship for $10,000 was granted in the spring of 2004, with two scholarships offered each year starting in 2007. In 2015 the scholarship was increased to $12,500.

The scholarship selection committee is comprised of representatives of the KC Cesar Chavez Committee and representatives of UCM. The committee is chaired by Kansas City resident Joe Arce, publisher of the Kansas City Hispanic News.

The qualifications and application for the Cesar Chavez Scholarship are available at ucmo.edu/chavez. Deadline for application in March 1, 2016.