University of La Verne Welcomes 380 Children for Promise Scholars Day

Adam Murillo is an eighth-grader who has already mapped out his future.

The 13-year-old Serrano Middle School student plans to join the Navy to earn G.I. Bill benefits, attend college, and then return to service to become a SEAL.

Murillo was one of hundreds of middle school students who came to the University of La Verne on Nov. 16 for Promise Scholars Day. He and his classmates toured the campus and learned about the college experience from first-generation university students and university leaders.

“This will help me decide what college I want to go to after I go into the military,” he said.

The University of La Verne is a federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution, having a student population that is more than 40 percent Latino. More than 40 percent of students are the first in their families to go to college. Serrano Middle School has a first-generation population of about 80 percent and about half of students’ parents did not graduate high school, school officials have said.

The university hosted 380 students from Serrano Middle School, with 320 scheduled to visit from De Anza Middle School on Nov. 30. Both schools are in the Ontario-Montclair School District, which is partnered with the university through the Promise Scholars program.

The program helps students begin planning college and career pathways starting in the fifth grade. The university waives application fees and offers scholarships for Promise Scholars who go on to become Leos.

Eighth-grader Dat Le, who will attend Montclair High School next year, is on the right track.

She has toured several campuses, but is still deciding where she wants to go to college. She is, however, leaning toward a major.

“I have always wanted to be an engineer,” she said.

University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman met with the Promise Scholars and emphasized the importance of a college education.

“All of the facts show that if you go to college, you will make more money for you and your family and be a better citizen in the community than if you drop out of high school or you don’t go to college,” she said.

Junior business administration major Cynthia Ramirez urged students to get involved in activities beyond their studies, such as clubs and athletics, to increase their success in college.

“You have so many opportunities out there, so many scholarships, and so many people willing to help you,” she said.

Sharon Cruz-McKinney, director of community relations and outreach, encouraged the students to begin imagining their success.

“I want you to be able to see yourselves in college,” she said. “This is the first day that you’ll be able to do so.”