Regis partners with Consulate General of Mexico in Denver to offer scholarship to students of Mexican origin

When students of Mexican origin or descent begin classes this fall, they could be the first in Regis history to benefit from a scholarship established as the result of a partnership between the Consulate General of Mexico in Denver and the University.

The partnership, made official through a memorandum of understanding signed in July by University and consulate leaders, offers $5,000 in scholarship funds to be distributed to the students for the 2024-25 academic year. Regis President Salvador D. Aceves and Senior Vice President Senthil Kumar joined Consul General of Mexico in Denver Pavel Melendez Cruz for the MOU signing and a presentation of a ceremonial check.

During the ceremony, Aceves thanked consulate leaders for their support of Regis and reflected upon the start of a new partnership.

“Our institution embraces both its role in the world and also being of the world,” he said. “To a great extent, what we want to do is be able to authentically and very intentionally welcome members of the world to our community, because as one institution, we realize that we play a role in trying to build a more just and humane world. For us, this is a great pathway to ensure that the voices and the histories and traditions are very much part of what is the fabric of our conversation.”

The scholarship was established by the Institute for Mexicans Abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the IME-Becas Scholarship Program and has benefited students across the United States since it began awarding scholarships to students.

Melendez Cruz said the scholarship is especially important for first-generation college students.

“It is an honor for Mexico to sign this agreement with Regis University because we need to support more Mexican students,” he said.

As Regis and consulate leaders look toward the future, they said they envision more collaboration with each other, especially as they recognize their shared values and culture. 

Consul of Economic, Cultural and Cooperation Affairs Ricardo Ballesteros said the scholarship is the first step in strengthening cultural ties.

“This is the start of a very strong relationship between the Mexican government and Regis University,” he said. “And I’m sure that Regis University will be participating in the next calls of these scholarships so we can maintain this cooperation and support.”

For Regis, the scholarship is the latest development in its ongoing commitment to support Hispanic and Latine students. In 2023, the University was designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a federal status that means total student enrollment is more than 25 percent Hispanic. Just more than 10 percent of all colleges and universities in the United States are HSIs.

Kumar, a former international student himself, said the scholarship will offer a reminder to students of Mexico’s support for their education. 

“Coming to this country, you always want to look up to your country,” he said. “You always hope to see that your country recognizes you and what you do here.”