Scholarship aimed at underrepresented students welcomes inaugural class
Aug. 19, 2021
By Sara Ornelas, Marketing Content Developer
Adelante Scholarship
Through a generous donation of Gene and Yolanda Camarena, Wichita State is able to
offer renewable, high-impact scholarships to students who are of Black and/or Hispanic/Latino
heritage. Adelante means "to move forward" or "to get ahead" in Spanish. In addition
to the scholarship, recipients will receive mentoring and tutoring services to help
them succeed on their pathway to a college degree.
(Button for discontinued Adelante Scholarship program page deleted.)
**Editor's Note**
The content on this archival news page refers to a scholarship program that has been
changed to comply with current state and federal laws. For up-to-date information
on Wichita State University scholarships, consult our schollarships page.
As the fall 2021 semester begins, the 21 students in the inaugural class of Adelante
Scholars have begun their careers as Wichita State University students.
The Adelante Scholarship was established in 2020 through a gift from Gene and Yolanda Camarena. It’s geared
toward incoming freshmen and new transfer students. Preference is given to students
who are of Black, Hispanic and Latino heritage with a minimum 3.0 grade point average
and demonstrated financial need.
“We are excited to have this inaugural class of Adelante Scholars join Wichita State,” said
Sheelu Surender, executive director of financial aid and scholarships at Wichita State.
“The financial support and mentoring this scholarship provides should help these promising
leaders focus on academics and campus involvement rather than being burdened with
working full-time to pay for college.”
The Adelante Scholarship supports Wichita State’s priority to provide an accessible
and affordable education to Kansans.
“The diversity that this scholarship attracts provides added vibrancy to our campus
community,” said Dr. Rick Muma, Wichita State president. “The first 21 scholars bring
with them the talent and potential to be the next generation of Kansas leaders.”
The following students are the fall 2021 recipients of the Adelante Scholarship:
Melisa Alfonso from Hutchinson, Kansas, is studying mechanical engineering.
Magaly Benitez Castillo from Richardson, Texas, is majoring in pre-physical therapy.
Zane Clark from Chanute, Kansas, is working toward an accounting degree.
Alejandro Clavier from Houston is studying filmmaking.
Jennifer Diaz-Reyes from Topeka is pursuing a nursing degree.
Carlie Gallegos from Forgan, Oklahoma, is working toward a business degree.
Kyla Gordon from Arvada, Colorado, is studying entrepreneurship.
Tyler Hurt from Moore, Oklahoma, is majoring in aerospace engineering.
Joselynne Lozano Del Angel from Wichita is pursuing a pre-dental hygiene degree.
Haylee Miller from Kiowa, Kansas, is a pre-medicine major.
Aaliyah Muthoni from Wichita is working toward an art degree.
Valeria Paunetto from Wichita is studying social work.
Iker Pena from Lutcher, Louisiana, is majoring in aerospace engineering.
Pedro Pina Guerrero from Lyons, Kansas, is a pre-medicine major.
Yarid Pizarro from Wichita is pursuing a business degree.
Allison Quintana from Thornton, Colorado, is studying elementary education.
Aubrey Russell from Prosper, Texas, is majoring in engineering.
Analuz Smith from Medicine Lodge, Kansas, is working toward a nursing degree.
Elizabeth Treto from Wichita is undecided.
Tamia Trotter from Kansas City, Missouri, is majoring in nursing.
Denazhia Williams from Kansas City, Kansas, is studying psychology.
