Consul Alberto Fierro Garza, Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul, presented grants from the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME - Institute for Mexicans Abroad) Fellowship Program to colleges and universities in Minnesota including a $14,000 grant for Riverland Community College. The grants benefit Mexican or Mexican-American students. The presentation took place during a ceremony hosted by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities following the October meeting of the Board of Trustees.

“The Consulate of Mexico takes great pleasure on being able to support Mexican and Mexican-Americans in their dream of pursuing higher education studies through the IME Fellowship Program,” said Garza. “We believe that the benefits of having one student start, continue or finish college multiply tenfold in the community. After the passing of the Dream Act in the State, the Consulate is thrilled to partner with MNSCU and other Minnesota Universities that agreed to match funds to our grants in order to provide education access opportunities. We look forward to our continuing collaboration.”

“These grants have the power to change lives – the lives of students and the lives of the thousands of people those students will touch over the course of their lifetimes,” said Steven Rosenstone, MnSCU chancellor. “We believe that education for all people, no matter their race or background or financial situation or particular circumstances, is fundamental for the public good. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul on these scholarships to help address the pressing financial needs of Minnesota’s Mexican and Mexican-American students.”

A total of $55,000 in scholarships was presented at the ceremony, placing Minnesota among the top states nationally for the amount received from this competitive grant. The awards will be matched by the colleges and universities for a total impact of $110,000. The grant recipients included four of MnSCU’s colleges and universities: Riverland Community College, Saint Paul College, Century College and social service agency Centro on behalf of Plaza Comunitaria at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Other grant recipients included Augsburg College, St. Catherine University, and Saint Mary’s University.