Sep. 28, 2016

Five College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) students from St. Edward’s University were selected to participate in the Monsanto Scholars Program.

Each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship for the 2016-2017 school year. The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, has continuously provided scholarships for St. Edward’s CAMP students since 1997.

The 2016-2017 Monsanto Fund Scholarship Recipients are:

  • Dayanna Garcia (Penitas, Texas), Senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology
  • Michael Castillo (San Juan, Texas), Senior majoring in Economics
  • Kenya Salinas (Edinburg, Texas), Junior majoring in Biology
  • Robert Alaniz (Texas)
  • Melisa Belmares (Donna, Texas), Junior majoring in Accounting

 Kenya Salinas was also a Monsanto Scholar last year.

CAMP is dedicated to serving higher education needs of students from migrant and seasonal farmworker families. More than 2,800 migrant students have accessed higher education through CAMP at St. Edward's University.

“St. Edward’s CAMP program has helped generations of students gain a high-quality education that otherwise might have been out of reach,” said Michelle Insco, program officer for Monsanto Fund. “Our organization is committed to enriching lives and making education more accessible, and we’re proud to extend support for a program that’s had such a meaningful impact in farm communities across the country.”

Now entering its 44th year, the St. Edward’s CAMP is the longest continuously running program of its kind in the country. St. Edward’s CAMP recruits and enrolls approximately 35 freshman migrant students annually. To qualify, high school students must meet the St. Edward’s admission requirements, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and demonstrate that migrant or seasonal farm work is their family’s primary and/or critical source of income.

“Persistence and graduation of CAMP students in college is contingent on their ability to have financial, academic and moral support. Scholarship awards are a critical resource for these students to meet their educational goals. It is gratifying to have organizations like the Monsanto Fund provide this type of support. Throughout the years, they have shown their commitment to helping migrant students pursue higher education,” says Esther Yacono, CAMP director.

St. Edward’s provides full tuition through graduation for CAMP students who make satisfactory academic progress—whereas other national CAMPs typically limit support services to the freshman year. St. Edward’s could not fulfill this commitment without support from generous donors like the Monsanto Fund. Without such support, CAMP students would likely have to leave school or delay graduation, depriving St. Edward’s and the larger community of their talents. After graduation, many of the university’s Monsanto Scholars have pursued doctoral degrees and careers in research, teaching and medicine.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund (Bayer Fund).

About St. Edward's University 

St. Edward’s University is a private, liberal arts college in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 4,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in Texas and offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including MBA programs and a master’s degree in counseling. With a network of partner universities around the world, St. Edward’s is a diverse community with programs designed to inspire students with a global perspective. St. Edward's University has been recognized for 14 consecutive years as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report and ranks in the top 20 Best Regional Universities in the Western Region. For more information on St. Edward’s University, visit stedwards.edu/about.