2026 Dr. Reyes Ortega Scholarship for the Latino Leadership Council

(DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS IS Day, MONTH DD, YYYY)

The Board of Directors and staff at the Latino Leadership Council (LLC) recently established the Dr. Reyes Ortega Scholarship Fund at Placer Community Foundation (PCF) in honor of Dr. Ortega’s long-standing social justice activism, teachings, and mentorship. Click to learn more about the work of Dr. Reyes and where to donate.

Dr. Ortega serves on LLC’s Board and is Professor Emeritus at Sierra College, where he taught Chicana/o Studies and Chicano/Mexican American History. He was also instrumental in the successful design of the Sierra College Associate Degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies. Furthermore, while serving as an academic and personal counselor, Dr. Ortega introduced and co-coordinated the nationally acclaimed Puente Program at Sierra College, which maximizes access and promotes

academic success in higher education.

“I am so very fortunate to serve on LLC’s Board and to have engaged as a practitioner of community service through LLC. Through education, health, and youth development, LLC carries the enormous responsibility of welcoming and introducing nuestra comunidad Latina [our Latin community] to the complexities and benefits of life in the United States. This gargantuan task cannot be achieved without the genuine commitment and dedication of an incredible staff and Board of Directors. Si Se Puede!”

- Dr. Reyes Ortega

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Applications for the Dr. Reyes Ortega Scholarship in the amount of xxx are available for high school students who are first-time college students who will enroll full-time at Sierra College with a minimum of 12.0 units and have a declared educational goal to complete an associate degree and transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree at a California State University (CSU), a University of California (UC), or other regionally accredited college or university. Scholarship applicants must be on track to complete a high school diploma and ready to apply to Sierra College the following semester.

Special note: This scholarship is divided into two installments and awarded at the successful completion of each semester during the 2026-27 academic year.

Application Package and Evaluation Criteria

Please answer the questions on this form and complete the required essay. Two letters of recommendation are required in order to be considered for this scholarship, and finalists will be invited to an informal and friendly personal interview. More instructions about the letters of recommendation are below. Scholarship selection will be based on essay responses, interview, and references.

Full Name

Phone

Current School

Student Reflective Essay:

Instructions: Please write freely as if a close friend or mentor or family member is asking the following questions.

How has your family background shaped your life and your dream for the future? (200 Words MAX)

What do you want to study and why? (50 words MAX)

Where do you see yourself 5 - 10 years from now? (50 words MAX)

Upload File

Upload supported file (Max 15MB)

References/Letters of Recommendation:

Provide the contact information (phone and email preferred) of two people who are willing to be references for your character and motivation--people who know you well and have faith in you. For example, a teacher, counselor, priest/pastor, mentor, family friend, etc. Please have your references submit two letters of recommendation to xxxx.

Reference Information #1:

First name

Last name

Phone

Company & Position

Reference Information #2:

First name

Last name

Phone

Company & Position

Prior to turning in this application, my references have emailed the letter to xxxx.

Additional Information:

When selecting the final winner, the selection committee may give added consideration to students who have personal and/or work experience demonstrating interest and understanding of the Latino community within the United States, and documented educational and economic need as demonstrated by application for, or identity with, one or more of the following:

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

2. Cal Grant

3. California Dream Act

a. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

4. Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS)

5. 1st Generation College Student (Someone whose parents or legal guardians did not complete a four-year college or university bachelor's degree)

6. Other specialized community college student support service program

If you identity with one or more of the situations above, please explain. Your responses will be verified with the schools.

Thank you for submitting!

2026 Dr. Reyes Ortega Scholarship for the Latino Leadership Council

El Concilio de Liderazgo Latino

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