Ayleen Ramos, a junior majoring in Communicative Disorders in the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education (ILACHE). The scholarship is awarded to five Latino/a/x students in Illinois who exhibit outstanding commitment to learning, community service, and leadership.
“I am grateful that this opportunity is available for Latino students to assist us in pursuing our higher education,” said Ramos, a first-generation college student. 
Ramos said there are challenges that come with being the inaugural family member to go to college. She frequently uses what she’s learned to help others navigate through the process.
“I am passionate about helping others from my community excel in their educational endeavors,” Ramos said. “For me, it is exciting to be able to talk to fellow Latino students about entering professional fields and living the lives our parents hoped we would.”
Ramos said she is fortunate to have her family’s support as she pursues her education.
“I have seen my parents continue to work long days to give me the opportunity they did not have by helping me obtain my degree,” Ramos said. “This scholarship lifts some of the financial burden.”
