鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 get this scholarship, I wouldn鈥檛 be in school,鈥 says De'Liza Dulatre-Galimidi, a senior journalism and media studies major at the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. She was working on campus and going to school full time, but having trouble making ends meet.
Her father and brother-in-law had recently died, and she suddenly became the only one in the household who had a job.
鈥淪o many things were happening in my life. I was working so hard to support my mom and sister and her kids, and we were recovering from the losses,鈥 she says. 鈥淏ut I was fiercely determined to stay in school.鈥
Her supervisor at the office of student engagement and diversity, where she worked as a program assistant, was able to help her get an emergency grant, and the next semester she applied for the Hixson-Lied Success Scholarship.
Dulatre-Galimidi earned the competitive award, and it changed more than just her financial picture.
鈥淚t was amazing. Suddenly I had a mentor, an academic success coach, and a support system with my peers in the program,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so awesome to have a team. I know that other people are rooting for me, and you do the same for them.
鈥淭he essence of being a Hixson-Lied scholar is that you get to give, because you received,鈥 Dulatre-Galimidi says, echoing the guiding principle of the scholarship鈥檚 namesake, Christina M. Hixson.
鈥淚 strongly believe that extraordinary things can be done by ordinary people,鈥 Hixson explains. 鈥淵ou just have to give them the opportunity.鈥
That opportunity is being realized through the Hixson-Lied Success Scholarship program. Funded in perpetuity through a $2 million gift from the Lied Foundation Trust and launched in 2012, it was named in honor of Hixson and Ernst F. Lied.
The program provides economically and academically challenged Nevada students with the chance to excel.
鈥淎 support system is so important,鈥 Hixson says. 鈥淚f a student鈥檚 parents didn鈥檛 go to college, the experience can be discouraging.鈥 The Academic Success Center, where the program is housed, provides support to help students stay engaged and on track.
Hixson-Lied Success scholars not only receive help earning their degrees, but also are expected to serve others as peer mentors and volunteers.
That鈥檚 no problem for Dulatre-Galimidi, who overflows with the giving spirit 鈥 ready to help anyone she can. She is especially grateful to Hixson.
鈥淚 always tear up a little bit when I talk about Ms. Hixson. She鈥檚 helped me so much. She鈥檚 so personable and down-to-earth. She is a person who understands hard work, and when someone gives you something like this, you want to make them super proud. It鈥檚 super important to me.
鈥淪o when I achieve things like being on the dean鈥檚 list, it鈥檚 not just for me. It鈥檚 for the people who support me.鈥
Learn more about 性视界传媒 Foundation giving programs.
