Univision awards Tu Futuro scholarship to two incoming Mavericks
Univision Dallas-Fort Worth, in partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington, has awarded two incoming freshmen the Univision Tu Futuro Tu Comunidad Scholarship, which provides recipients the opportunity to pursue their higher education dreams.
This year’s recipients, Maria Belen Cruz Garay and Belinda Alonso, each will receive full-tuition scholarships that cover the cost of a bachelor’s degree at UTA. Partner organizations also presented Cruz Garay and Alonso with an additional $1,000 each for books, new technology and gift cards for dorm furnishing.
“I know the scholarship recipients have a very bright future ahead of them, and they will continue to excel and be great,” said Tamara Brown, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “I want to congratulate you, Maria and Belinda, and let you know that UTA believes in you and is here to prepare you for your future success.”
Alonso, a senior at Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School in Dallas, said she is excited and grateful for the scholarship. She plans to study marketing and is looking forward to immersing herself in the UTA community.
“This means a lot, because it’s something that I never thought I would be able to get,” she said. “I have been putting in lots of effort since ninth grade, and I’m just happy that it’s paid off.”
To Cruz Garay, receiving the Tu Futuro scholarship “means everything” and reminds her of all her hard work through high school. She said she is inspired by her mom to always work hard and push to be better, every day. A senior at Harmony School of Excellence, she is an aspiring broadcaster and decided on UTA because of the many learning opportunities the broadcasting program offers its students to create and tell stories.
“A big door has opened for our daughter, and we are thankful to Univision and UTA for this opportunity,” said Gloria Garay, her mother. “She is going to be able to reach her dreams; the future is hers.”
Univision Dallas-Fort Worth is the area’s leading Spanish-language station group and the most-watched television station regardless of language. UTA is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and recently received the Seal of Excelencia, a prestigious honor granted to just six colleges and universities in 2022 for their commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The University and the media company have been awarding the Tu Futuro scholarship since 2021.
“Univision believes in the next generation of students and it’s our honor to continue supporting the aspirations and dreams of students in our community,” said Jeff Zimmerman, president and general manager of Univision Dallas-Fort Worth. “There is a lot to celebrate today, not just this year’s recipients, but also the excellence in our community.”
Zimmerman thanked Nissan, One Plus, Mecato, NFM, and the Law Office of Erika N. Salter for supporting the Tu Futuro initiative.