TRiO Upward Bound-Dell Scholar

One of our TRiO Upward Bound participants has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship through the Dell Scholars Program.

Melissa Valencia is a senior at Royal High School and a full-time Running-Start student here at BBCC. She plans to attend the University of Washington and pursue a science degree in preparation for dental school. We are so proud of her determination and hard work and the effort she’s taken to travel 70 miles a day to make earning a higher education a reality.

Beyond the $20,000, a laptop and textbook credits are provided including ongoing support and assistance to address all of the emotional, lifestyle, and financial challenges that may prevent scholars from completing college. These pressures range from dealing with stress, to getting out of debt, to tackling substance abuse or child care if life circumstances should require it.

The Dell Scholars Program places greater emphasis on a student’s determination to succeed than just academic record and test scores such as Grit, Potential, and Ambition.