Investing in the Future: Raiz Federal Credit Union Awards $95,000 in Scholarships and Grants

At Raiz Federal Credit Union, we believe in the power of education and community. That’s why, each year, we dedicate ourselves to supporting students, educators, and local non-profit organizations through our scholarship and grant programs. This year, we’re excited to announce that we’ve awarded a total of $95,000 to 22 outstanding individuals and organizations in El Paso—a reflection of our ongoing commitment to investing in the future of our community.

On November 14, 2024, Raiz celebrated the achievements of these recipients at a special event. From students taking strides toward their higher education goals to educators furthering their professional development and non-profits tackling some of our community’s toughest challenges—this year’s recipients exemplify what it means to be a change-maker.

Why We Invest in Education and Community Impact

As a credit union rooted in the El Paso community, Raiz is more than just a financial institution; we’re a partner in helping our members and the community achieve their full potential. Since our rebranding from Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU) in 2022, we’ve expanded our scholarship and grant programs to reach even more people. With new categories added for STEM fields, UTEP’s College of Education, Woody L. Hunt College of Business, and professional development for local educators, we’re broadening opportunities for people to grow, thrive, and contribute to our region’s success.

Raiz President and CEO, Max Villaronga, shared his thoughts on the importance of these efforts: “Investing in education is investing in our future. By expanding our scholarship program, we aim to lift up our community, empower individuals, and create opportunities that will benefit El Paso for generations to come.”

2024 Scholarship and Grant Recipients: Honoring Dreams and Ambitions

We are thrilled to recognize this year’s scholarship and grant recipients for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to achieving their dreams. Here’s a look at the incredible individuals and organizations who received awards in 2024:

Raiz Community Scholarship – $1,000
These scholarships support local students pursuing higher education:

– Jackie Braken

Jacki Lynn Messick Bracken is a dedicated single mom of three wonderful children and a registered nurse specializing in pediatric home health. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree to become a certified diabetes educator. Originally from Southern California, Jacki has lived in El Paso for seven years, where she embraces the local culture and cuisine.

– Adrian Cadillo

Adrian’s passion for education developed early on, but it came with challenges due to a lower-income background. Financial struggles related to uniforms, supplies, and textbooks were constant obstacles. Despite these difficulties, Adrian persevered and was awarded a scholarship from Raiz Credit Union. This support not only helps him pursue his career dreams but also assists in managing his finances.

– Julian Cano

Julian Cano is a freshman at the University of Texas El Paso. He graduated in the top 5% of his senior class at Franklin High School, where he was also dual-enrolled at the Center for Career and Technology Education. Julian is now a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and an aspiring Nurse Practitioner. He plans to work and study hard at UTEP to become a nurse and hopes to one day give back to his beloved El Paso community.

– Joshua Morales

Joshua Morales is a recipient of the Raiz scholarship and a recent graduate of Eastlake High School. He intends to use this prestigious scholarship to further his education at Texas Tech University in pursuit of a career as a Travel Nurse. Joshua aspires to have a career in nursing due to his strong passion for helping others and giving back to his community.

– Keyleen Nunez

Kayleen Nicole Nunez graduated from Anthony High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and played on the varsity basketball team. Kayleen will attend the University of Texas at El Paso to pursue a career as a registered nurse.

– Monica Pena

Monica Peña is a Life and Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience in corporate management. She specializes in maximizing talent potential and developing globally competent leaders. Monica holds a summa cum laude BAAS in Organizational Leadership from Texas A&M Commerce, an MS in Management from Western Governors University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Anderson University.

– Denise Perez

Denise Perez is a 28-year-old mother and college student at The University of Texas at El Paso, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. Her experience as a correctional officer sparked her interest in the criminal justice system and offender rehabilitation. Currently, she works as a substitute teacher, focusing on understanding behaviors while assisting special education students. Denise aims to leverage her education and experience to make a positive impact in her community.

– Noah Sostence Piña

Noah Pina graduated from Eastwood High School in El Paso, Texas. He attends New Mexico State University to pursue a career in Art and Media as a film director, actor, and animator.

– Mia Piñon

Mia Pinon is an alumnus of Bel Air High School, where she graduated in the top 10% of Bel Air’s Class of 2023. She is a full-time student at El Paso Community College where she is currently on the President’s list with a top 10% GPA; Mia is majoring in Psychology and is expected to graduate in Summer 2026. When she is not in class, Mia is a part-time tutor, helping students and teachers with needed aid at her old middle school, Bel Air Middle School, she assists in over 8 English classes. Mia’s accomplishments include leading the Bel Air High School Fashion Club to their second national victory and being in the National Honors Society and Science UIL.

– David Valles

David Valles, an 18-year-old recent graduate of Austin High School, aspires to pursue a career in truck driving. Inspired by his father, who works in the trucking industry, he plans to begin his education in the field and obtain his Commercial Driver’s License. 

 

Raizing Leaders Scholarship – UTEP College of Education & Woody L. Hunt College of Business – $5,000
These awards go to students in UTEP’s College of Education and the Hunt College of Business who are poised to become future leaders:

– Olubukola Christiana Akinloye

Olubukola Akinloye is a dedicated graduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso, pursuing a master’s degree in Accounting with a perfect 4.0 CGPA. With a strong academic background in Tax and Accounting, she is passionate about applying her knowledge to make meaningful contributions in her field. Olubukola has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment through various academic and extracurricular activities. Her academic excellence and dedication have earned her prestigious recognition, including the Raizing Leaders UTEP Hunt COBA Scholarship.

– Mariana Casas

Mariana Casas is an Information Systems and Business Analytics major with a minor in Finance at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is actively involved on campus, participating in student organizations and competitions like the Miner’s Pitch Competition, and has established the first mentorship program at the Woody L. Hunt College of Business. Additionally, Mariana has interned at Hunt Companies, BlackRock, and Strategy&, and currently works at HEP, tutoring farmworkers to help them earn their GED and improve their job prospects.

– Alondra Ramirez

Alondra Ramirez is a senior at the University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in Education with a concentration in EC-6 and a certification in ESL. She is an active member of the Bilingual Education Student Organization (B.E.S.O.) and Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international honor society in education. Alondra is deeply grateful for the scholarship opportunity, which will help her continue her journey to becoming an educator. She is committed to using this opportunity to contribute back to the community by inspiring and educating her future students.

– Aaron Rivas-Simental

Aaron Rivas is an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at El Paso, he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with minors in both Chemistry and Mathematics. Aaron also leads others at UTEP as a member of the Peer-Led Team Learning program, mentoring incoming college freshmen in their introductory STEM-related classes. In the future Aaron plans, to use the knowledge and experience he develops in college to excel in his field and help those around him.

 

 

Michael Sandoval STEM Memorial Scholarship – $5,000

In honor of Michael Sandoval, this scholarship supports a student pursuing a career in STEM:

– Esteban Lozano

Esteban is a student at the University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. With a passion for computer science, he has participated in multiple hackathons where he has showcased his skills in programming, collaboration, and problem-solving. Esteban has also been a teaching assistant for CS courses at UTEP for over a year, helping students generate a comprehensive understanding of Computer Science fundamentals. Additionally, Esteban is a two-time Software Engineer Intern at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

Raiz Up Professional Development Grant – $3,500

These grants assist educators in Region 19 with professional development opportunities:

– Christopher Martin

Christopher Martin is an educator at Col. John O. Ensor Middle School in El Paso, Texas, teaching 6th to 8th grade Math and Science in a Special Education unit, leveraging his 24 years of experience in the field. He holds a Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis on Autism from UTEP and has served as an adjunct professor, while also actively participating in various extracurricular activities to enhance student engagement. Recognized as Teacher of the Year for his school, district, and Region 19, he aims to transform perceptions of special needs students and continues to seek professional development opportunities to better serve them.

– Obed Hernandez Noris

As a dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience, Obed is passionate about fostering student growth and curiosity. He taught Social Studies for 11 years, focusing on equity and inclusion, and now serves as an Instructional Technology Coordinator. Obed is a certified Google Educator and explores Esports, Robotics, Drones, Broadcasting, and Makerspaces to enhance learning for all students. He believes every student deserves a high-quality education that prepares them for the future.

– Julietta Rojas

Julietta Rojas is a dynamic and down-to-earth educator with 16 years of experience in various roles within public education.  She holds a Master’s degree in History and has served as a soccer coach, Advanced Academics Specialist, Social Studies Coordinator, and Director of Advanced Academics.  She strongly believes in the power of positivity and is committed to creating engaging, forward-thinking learning environments that encourage students to reach their full potential, foster cooperation, and engage in civic discourse.  Currently, she is teaching the US History survey course where she aims to integrate emerging technologies while generating knowledge in the service of society.

– Jose Silva Smith

Jose L. Silva-Smith, a dedicated CTE Business Education & Computer Science educator at Tornillo High School for over 25 years, has established a district-wide Computer Science Program and earned recognition for the school as an Amazon Future Engineer High School. Honored with the WeTeach_CS Change Maker Teacher Award in 2023, he actively promotes equitable access to advanced CS curriculum and participates in transformative educational projects.

– Bernadette Valenzuela

I am a native El Pasoan who comes from a family of educators. I began my teaching career as an English teacher at Jesus and Mary Academy, then moved on to Montwood High School, Northwest Early College, and Mission Early College. For the past five years, I’ve worked as a librarian at Western Hills Elementary.

– Camila Zeh

Camila Zeh is a 17-year veteran teacher at Northwest Early College High School in El Paso, Texas, specializing in 11th and 12th grade chemistry and dual credit geology. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Science and a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at El Paso, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Mrs. Zeh is dedicated to student learning and empowers her students to advocate for their community through partnerships. Recently, she was recognized as Canutillo ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year and participated in the Region XIX Teacher of the Year celebration.

 

Together We Raiz Grant – $25,000

These grants help local non-profits make a real difference in the El Paso community:
– Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV)

Over the last 46 years, the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV) has transformed from a simple hotline and a few safe houses into a comprehensive organization offering 24/7 support for those affected by domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA). As the sole provider in El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson Counties, CASFV aims to prevent these issues through intervention, education, and community collaboration. In the past year, CASFV provided emergency shelter to 345 adults and 434 children, along with comprehensive services to 2,246 new adults and 534 children through its Family Resource Center, focusing on advocacy, legal aid, therapy, and workforce development to promote self-sufficiency among survivors.

– Paso Del Norte Center of Hope

The Paso del Norte Center of Hope, established as a 501(c)3 in May 2013, is dedicated to protecting victims of human trafficking and leading anti-trafficking efforts in the region. Having served over 500 confirmed victims, the Center uses its resources to support underserved populations facing food insecurity, homelessness, and healthcare challenges. With the recent $25,000 grant from Raiz, the Center aims to enhance services in areas like emergency shelter, housing assistance, and outreach, while focusing on educating the community and strengthening partnerships to combat systemic issues associated with human trafficking.

 

How to Apply for the 2025 Scholarship and Grant Awards:

If this year’s recipients inspire you and want to apply for a scholarship or grant next year, we invite you to start planning for the 2025 cycle. Applications will be open soon, and you can visit our scholarship page for all the details.

Not yet a Raiz member?

Join today for only $5 and gain access to these exclusive opportunities. All scholarship and grant programs are available to qualifying Raiz members and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.