DSF Grad Maritza Medina Pursues Next Degree

Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) Scholar Maritza Medina is graduating from the Community College of Denver (CCD) with an associate degree in psychology and is continuing her educational journey at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver). Maritza is one of DSF Scholars graduating from college this spring and received the DSF scholarship and wraparound support.   

Maritza was first introduced to DSF through the DSF Future Center at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College. There she was connected to her DSF College Advisor, Derrek Sandoval, a former DSF Scholar. “Maritza visited the DSF Future Center to ask questions about what steps she needed to take after high school, how to apply to college, financial aid support, and the DSF Scholarship,” said Derrek. He helped Maritza understand that there are many pathways after graduating high school. Maritza attended Pickens Technical College to pursue a cosmetology license after graduating, in order to join the workforce as an esthetician, save some money, and then return to school to continue her educational journey. Maritza appreciates DSF’s financial support, which has also given her the resources to transfer from Pickens to CCD successfully.   

From right to left –DSF College Advisor Derrek Sandoval, DSF Scholar Maritza Medina and DSF Campus Advisor Cynthia Gallegos

DSF gets to know students holistically, where DSF Scholars and their Advisors connect to map out their college goals and find resources to help them get there. Maritza was also part of the Students Empowered Educated Determined (SEED) program, which supports the successful transfer of DSF Scholars from CCD to any 4-year college/university, with particular attention to DSF Scholars transferring to either CU Denver or MSU Denver. Support includes academic advising with a focus on the transferability of classes, monitoring of academic progress, and workshops to promote successful transfer. Maritza’s DSF Campus Advisor, Cynthia Gallegos, was a critical support during her time at CCD. Maritza saw Cynthia as a role model that understood her needs and concerns.   

Maritza is graduating with an associate degree in psychology from CCD with no college debt. She will then continue her education at MSU Denver to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Her goals are to earn a master’s degree to help children eventually. She will leverage all the resources she has received and continue to rely on the support from DSF and her different advisors. “I’m very grateful to continue to be part of DSF and appreciate all the support I have received to get where I am today. The DSF scholarship and wraparound support has allowed me to get the esthetician certificate at Perkins, an associate from CCD, and now transfer to MSU Denver for my bachelor’s degree,” said Maritza. Congratulations to her and the many other DSF Scholars graduating this month!