For 35 years, the Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship Program has helped Stanislaus State students turn their ambitions into opportunities, opening doors to higher education and inspiring generations of Warriors to make a difference in their communities.
This year’s 12 Rogers Scholars are carrying that legacy forward.
They are aspiring nurses, educators, researchers, artists, financial professionals and community advocates. Some are the first in their families to attend college. Others have returned to the classroom after years of raising families, working full time or overcoming personal hardships. What unites them is their determination to succeed and use their education to improve the lives of others.
Since 1991, the program has helped hundreds of students pursue their educational and professional goals. Over the years, the Rogers family’s generosity has contributed more than $10.2 million in support to the University and helped 640 Warriors earn their degrees.
For Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis, the scholars embody the transformative power of education and the University’s mission to expand opportunity throughout the Central Valley.
“You represent the very best of what public higher education can catalyze: excellence, perseverance and purpose rooted in community,” Rios-Ellis told the recipients. “People generations ago had their biggest dreams, and you are now making those happen.”
The president also recognized the Rogers family’s extraordinary commitment to students, noting that the scholarship's impact extends well beyond graduation. Former Rogers Scholars have gone on to serve in leadership positions at Stan State and throughout the region, demonstrating how an investment in one student's education can benefit an entire community.
That legacy of opportunity and service remains central to the Rogers family's vision.
“We’re here to validate your efforts,” said Col. John Rogers, president of the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation. “You made marks here at school, and you’ll continue to make marks in the future. You’re our future, and we appreciate that.”
For Janet Rogers, the celebration offered a chance to connect personally with students whose stories of perseverance and ambition continue to inspire the family.
“I want you to know how much of a blessing you are to us, sharing your stories, sharing your time and your family with us,” she told the scholars. “We believe in you.”
Among this year’s recipients is Shawn Horton, a first-generation college student and parent of two who returned to higher education later in life. Now pursuing bachelor’s degrees in sociology and psychology, Horton plans to earn a master’s degree in social work and become a licensed clinical social worker, combining research, advocacy and mental health services to support people facing barriers.
“I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity, and I hope to someday make the same kind of difference in someone else's life that this generosity has made in mine,” Horton said.
For students such as Brandy King and Gloria Duran, the scholarship honors their determination to earn degrees while balancing family responsibilities. King, who returned to college after raising her children, hopes to become a special education teacher. Duran, a first-generation college student and mother of four, is pursuing a degree in psychology with the goal of helping people affected by trauma and mental health challenges.
Duran, who is receiving the scholarship for a second consecutive year, spoke about the far-reaching impact of the Rogers family’s support.
“To the Rogers family, you may see yourselves as helping a student pursue her education, but what you are truly doing is changing the possibilities of an entire family,” she said.
Rios-Ellis emphasized that the scholars’ achievements are shared by the families, mentors and supporters who have encouraged them along the way.
“Your success is not just your own,” she reminded the recipients. “It belongs to your families, your mentors, and all of those who will follow in your footsteps. So please remember that with every step you take forward, a hand goes back.”
As the newest Rogers Scholars continue their academic journeys, they join a community of recipients whose accomplishments reflect Mary Stuart Rogers’ vision and her family’s belief in the promise of higher education.
2026 Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars:
First-Year Undergraduate Recipients
Israel Aguilar
Israel Aguilar, a junior business administration major from Manteca, is pursuing a finance degree with the goal of helping students build greater financial security. His path to Stanislaus State has been shaped by persistence, sacrifice and a firsthand understanding of how financial barriers can affect a student’s education.
Aguilar began community college in 2013 while working part time to pay his tuition. Coming from a low- to middle-income family and raised by a single mother, he did not qualify for financial aid at the time. In 2020, after becoming financially independent, he still did not qualify for assistance. When the pandemic caused him to lose his job, Aguilar stepped away from school and worked three jobs to support himself and his family.
He returned to college in 2024 and qualified for financial aid, eventually completing his transfer degree in fall 2025. Now, as he works toward his bachelor’s degree, Aguilar hopes to use his education to help other students navigate financial challenges.
“I know how difficult it can be facing these struggles alone,” Aguilar said. “I want to guide other students that have are going through the same issue. Being named a Rogers Scholar not only assists me to overcome my hardships but allows future Stanislaus State students to overcome their financial obstacles through me.”
Sydney Butler
Sydney Butler is building an artistic life that makes room for both creation and mentorship. A transfer student from Reedley College where she earned two associate degrees, Butler is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in art with a concentration in studio art at Stanislaus State.
Inspired by her father’s work in graphic design, Butler found confidence and direction through the professors in Stan State’s Art Department. “The relationships I have developed with professors in the Art Department are invaluable,” she said.
Butler plans to earn a Master of Fine Arts, teach at the community college level and continue producing her own artwork. Managing chronic kidney stones while completing college has strengthened her patience and resilience. “I am passionate about creating art and helping others realize their creative potential,” she said.
Her experience as a transfer student has made her especially aware of how much a supportive instructor can matter. She wants to offer community college students the encouragement, feedback and sense of possibility that helped her move forward.
“I want to create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, receiving constructive feedback, and most importantly, making mistakes,” she said. "I want to help students understand that their worth is not determined by achievement and that growth often begins with uncertainty.”
Shawn Horton
Shawn Horton is using research to turn a nontraditional path into a future of care and advocacy. A first-generation student and parent from Turlock, Horton is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in sociology and psychology at Stanislaus State.
After struggling academically in high school,Horton returned to college as a non-tradition student and now maintains a 4.0 GPA. The experience helped them see their potential in a new light.
Through the Honors Program and McNair Scholars Program, Horton researches identity, self-presentation, disclosure and feelings of safety among college students. “Presenting this work helped me see myself differently,” Horton said. “I was no longer just someone returning to school after a difficult path; I was becoming a researcher whose work could contribute to conversations about real issues affecting students and communities.”
Horton plans to pursue a Master of Social Work and become a licensed clinical social worker. The goal is to combine therapy, research and advocacy for neurodiverse people and others whose experiences are often misunderstood. “A person’s performance at one stage of life does not necessarily tell you what they are capable of,” Horton said.
As a parent, Horton wants their children to see that growth can happen later in life and that a difficult beginning does not have to determine the rest of a person’s story. “I hope to create services that are more inclusive, practical and responsive to people’s actual lives,” they said. “Whether through therapy, advocacy, research or eventually community-based programs, I want my education to help me create spaces where people feel understood, supported and better able to move forward.”
Brandy King
Brandy King returned to college after raising her children because she wanted to show them that dreams remain possible at every stage of life. A liberal studies major from Turlock, King is preparing to earn her teaching credential and become a special education teacher.
King’s journey included an unstable childhood, frequent moves and challenges that made learning difficult. After becoming a mom in her senior year of high school, she put her dream of going to college on hold.
For much of her adult life, King dedicated herself to her family. Then, while sitting in the audience watching her daughter graduate from Stan State, she noticed graduates closer to her own age crossing the stage. “Why not me?” she remembers thinking. The moment inspired King to pursue a long-held dream of her own.
At Stan State, she has found the confidence to keep going and the purpose to help students feel seen and capable. “Being a Warrior represents determination, commitment, resilience and the realization that it is never too late to pursue your own dreams,” she said.
King hopes to create a classroom where every student feels included, accepted, supported and believed in. “I want my students to know that their differences do not define what they are capable of,” she said. Her nearly 20 years as a paraeducator have given King a clear understanding of the responsibility and commitment that teaching requires. As she enters her final year at Stan State, King is looking ahead to a teaching credential program and a classroom of her own — and she is proud of who she has become along the way. Miley Cyrus’ song “The Climb,” which she recalls playing on repeat on her first day at Modesto Junior College, remains an anthem for her journey. The song reminds her that reaching a goal is shaped by the challenges along the way — and by continuing to move forward.
Alexza Magallon Mendoza
Alexza Magallon Mendoza is building a future in finance with a deep belief in the people behind every number. A first-generation college student and immigrant, she transferred to Stanislaus State from Ohlone College after becoming involved in Phi Theta Kappa, Smiles and Dice, Mecha and the Ohlone Politics Club.
At Stan State, Mendoza has found new ways to connect her education with service. Through College Corps, she has been reminded that college is more than a degree — it is an opportunity to understand the community around her and help others move forward. “Being a Warrior means more than just being a student. To me, it means being a friend, building a community, understanding others and helping those around me,” she said.
Mendoza is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. She hopes to use her education to encourage students facing financial, immigration or other barriers to pursue higher education.
“Education can change the direction of a person's life,” she said. “I hope that my journey can also remind other students that where you start does not determine where you can go. There are always opportunities to grow, and sometimes the most important thing is simply having the courage to take the next step.”
Rebecca Moreno
Driven by her passion to use science and healthcare to help others, Turlock native Rebecca Moreno is no stranger to working hard to serve her community.
The third-year biological sciences major plans to attend dental school to become an orthodontist and serve communities with limited access to quality dental care.
“I am drawn to work that allows me to combine science, problem-solving and hands-on skills with the opportunity to directly improve someone’s confidence and well-being,” Moreno said.
Beginning her higher education journey at Stanislaus State was a major step in making her family proud as a first-generation college student, and she says that it has become a place of transformation for her.
After the passing of her grandfather, Moreno said Stan State became the place where she could rebuild her confidence. Moreno sought help by attending tutoring, asking professors for help and collaborating with her peers.
“Being a Warrior does not mean that everything has gone perfectly for me. It means that when I faced loss, uncertainty or self-doubt, I continued moving forward. Stan State has taught me that resilience is not about never struggling. It is about what you choose to do after your struggle.”
For the past two years, she has served as vice president of the Pre-Dental Society and volunteered with Circle K.
Conducting research on the medicinal properties of macroalgae allowed her to experience science in a different way and see herself not only as a student, but also as a contributor to science and healthcare.
Moreno currently works as a chemistry research intern with Gallo, where she continues to reflect on her personal growth and learning.
“I want to keep putting myself in environments that challenge me because those have been the experiences where I have grown the most.”
Jessica Parra Pompa
For social sciences major Jessica Parra Pompa, education is more than a path toward a degree — it is a way to serve others and create meaningful change in her community. Her goal is to work in social services, mental health and bilingual advocacy. “I am passionate about adequate healthcare, political awareness, the importance of family and the value of self-awareness and self-compassion,” she said.
Since transferring to Stan State from San Joaquin Delta College, she’s joined multiple clubs and organizations. A first-generation college student, she serves as a Well-Being Ambassador and is part of the University Honors Program. Parra Pompa is also a Project Rebound Scholar and a member of the Young Democratic Socialists of America.
A single mother, Parra Pompa maintains a 4.0 GPA while balancing family, work and school.
“I am driven by a sense of purpose and motivated by my daughters,” she said. “They remind me of the stewardship I have to help prepare the next generation and contribute to the wellness of my community.”
Parra plans to continue her education journey to receive her master’s degree in social work. She currently works as a Spanish interpreter for San Joaquin County, helping bridge communication gaps between providers and families. Her bilingual skills will support her plans to serve the Spanish-speaking community.
“I hope to use my Stan State education to better understand the needs of diverse communities and to develop solutions that promote wellness, equity, and opportunity for those I serve.”
Victoria Soares Maldonado
Victoria Soares Maldonado is preparing for a nursing career where compassion, language and advocacy work together. Born and raised in Brazil, she moved to California in 2019 and is now pursuing nursing at Stan State.
Soares Maldonado serves as treasurer of the Student Nurses Association and participates in health fairs, vaccination clinics, volunteer and outreach activities. “These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills and reinforced my commitment to becoming a compassionate and culturally competent nurse,” she said.
She hopes to become a labor and delivery nurse and advocate for accessible care, especially for members of the Deaf community. Fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, she is also continuing to learn American Sign Language. “I am passionate about improving healthcare access and making sure every patient feels heard, understood and respected,” she said.
“Stan State has taught me that being a nurse is not only about providing medical care, but also about educating, advocating, leading, and finding ways to make healthcare more accessible for everyone,” she said.
“Ultimately, I want to combine my passion for maternity care with my advocacy for the Deaf community to help ensure that every mother receives compassionate, safe, and equitable care.”
Kevin Steele
A proud dendrophile, Kevin Steele quickly proclaims his lifelong love of trees. The first-generation student from Jamestown is pursuing a degree in geography and environmental resources at Stan State after studying forestry and natural resources at a community college.
Steele is part of the Honors Program, where he has been encouraged to reflect on his role in the world and the responsibilities that come with his education. “Forests and trees are my passion followed closely by teaching others,” he said.
His children motivate him to keep moving forward, including through a long recovery after surgery to repair three finger tendons. Steele plans to continue into graduate school and pursue large-scale forest restoration. Steele’s environmental interests are closely tied to teaching. He wants people to understand forests not as distant scenery, but as living systems that support water, wildlife and communities. Sharing that understanding with students and the public is part of the work he hopes to do alongside restoration.
“I hope to find a position where I can learn from and collaborate with others on large scale forest restoration projects,” he said. “Trees are so cool to me. I hope to work the rest of my days in the field restoring forest ecosystems.”
The path ahead includes graduate study. Steele is applying to programs and hopes to move directly into graduate school after completing his bachelor’s degree. The work also reflects his hope to leave something lasting for his children.
“I am driven to succeed by my children. Everything I do is for them to make their life better.”
Second-Year Undergraduate Recipients
Kira Baxter
Kira Baxter sees art as a bridge to the people and cultures that came before us. A transfer student from Modesto, Baxter is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in art history with minors in museum studies and chemistry at Stan State as preparation for a career in art conservation.
This year, her participation at the Statewide Student Research Competition strengthened her confidence as a researcher and public speaker. Chemistry coursework and tutoring have helped her build the scientific foundation conservation requires. “Understanding history through art helps me to make sense of the world around me and gives me the opportunity to look at the world through several different lenses,” she said.
After graduation, Baxter plans to apply to graduate programs in art conservation. She hopes to preserve artwork and artifacts from communities that have been overlooked or underrepresented. “Preserving artwork preserves cultures and their histories; when these art pieces and artifacts are available, people can learn about themselves and their pasts,” she said.
Baxter’s interest in art conservation is grounded in respect. She wants to preserve objects without separating them from the communities and histories they represent. The scientific work matters, but so does the responsibility to ask whose stories have been protected, whose have been overlooked and who will have access to them in the future.
Gloria Duran
Gloria Duran is a first-generation college student, mother of four and full-time health care professional pursuing a degree in psychology at Stan State. Born in Salinas and raised in the Central Valley, Duran learned responsibility early as the oldest of seven siblings. Her experiences as a mother, health care professional and hospice volunteer have shaped her desire to understand the people behind the struggles they carry.
Duran returned to college after experiencing profound personal loss and years of placing her family’s needs ahead of her own. Losing her husband, Sammy, when she was 22 changed her perspective on time, purpose and the future. She began to recognize that her own dreams still mattered, too.
At Stan State, Duran has challenged herself academically while working full time and raising her children.
“Being a Warrior means continuing to show up, even when life gives you every reason not to,” she said. “Sometimes strength is going to work all day and still going to class afterward.” Duran hopes to become a forensic psychiatrist, working with individuals affected by violence and trauma. Her interest in psychology grew from seeing how much can remain hidden beneath a person’s daily responsibilities.
“I am passionate about people, especially the ones who have learned how to struggle quietly,” she said. She is particularly interested in expanding mental health support for minority and Spanish-speaking communities, where stigma, language barriers and limited access can prevent people from seeking care.
Duran hopes her education will help others feel seen, heard and understood during some of life’s most difficult moments. She also wants her children and other adult learners to know that there is no single timeline for pursuing a dream.
Ava Holland
Ava Holland has always seen nursing as a way to turn compassion into action. Inspired by her mother’s work as a nurse, the Sonora native is pursuing her own nursing career at Stan State while earning a 4.0 GPA.
Holland is involved with the Student Nurses Association and Honors Society and has volunteered at campus flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Her nursing cohort has become a close community, giving her classmates who understand the demands of the program and celebrate every milestone together. “Being a Warrior means being seen at my highs and lows and knowing that I am never alone on this journey,” Holland said.
After graduation, Holland hopes to provide compassionate care throughout the community and eventually return to school to become a nurse practitioner. “I am passionate about wanting to help others and make a difference in my community,” she said. Holland’s commitment to service extends beyond the nursing lab. She volunteers with a nonprofit organization that provides clothing and essential goods to people in need, an experience that allows her to offer the same kind of support she received growing up. Her interest in nursing is also connected to the responsibility of seeing each patient as a whole person. Holland is learning to combine clinical knowledge with careful listening, patience and respect. She hopes her future patients will feel safe asking questions and confident that their concerns matter.
“I hope to use the education I am gaining at Stan State to provide compassionate and knowledgeable care to those in the community.”
