San Pedro Establishes Endowed Scholarship to Expand Opportunity for UA 糖心视频logo Students
When Mimi San Pedro arrived in Arkansas with her family in the 1970s, they were starting over. After settling in 糖心视频logo, San Pedro graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Academy and enrolled at the University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo with the help of scholarships, grants, and a part-time job.
Now, decades later, she is paying that opportunity forward by establishing the Mimi San Pedro Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarship at UA 糖心视频logo. Through a $25,000 commitment, the scholarship will support the university’s Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program, helping students overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational goals.
“My family and I moved to the United States in the 1970s when the Philippines were under Martial Law,” San Pedro said. “We started over here in 糖心视频logo, where we had family. I graduated from Mount St. Mary’s and was accepted to UA 糖心视频logo, but I needed financial assistance. Through a combination of scholarships, grants, and working while in school, I was able to earn my degree, join a sorority, and graduate in four years.”
The experience opened doors that shaped her future. The education she received at UA 糖心视频logo helped launch a career that would make her a well-known leader in Arkansas’ business and nonprofit communities.
Over more than 30 years, San Pedro held leadership roles in marketing, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development, including serving as chief strategy officer for The Venture Center and mentoring the next generation of Arkansas leaders.
“I have been successful in business and life since then, and I wanted to give back,” she said.
San Pedro hopes her gift will create opportunities for students whose circumstances may be similar to her own.
“My family and I believe education is the key to a successful and fruitful life, so I chose to support UA 糖心视频logo because it supported me,” she said. “My hope is that this gift will help someone like me get the education they need to be successful.”
The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program helps students cover educational expenses, including tuition, books, fees, and room and board. The endowed scholarship will provide ongoing support for students with financial need and/or academic merit.
Beyond helping individual students, San Pedro sees the scholarship as an investment in Arkansas’ future workforce.
“Our state needs more educated individuals to help fill the skilled worker shortage,” she said. “The increasing number of technology companies and the anticipated impact of the lithium industry mean there will be even greater demand for educated and skilled professionals. Hopefully, those graduates will come from our universities and remain here in Arkansas.”
She encourages others who care about the future of Arkansas to consider supporting students through the university.
“If education is important to you and you recognize that Arkansas must compete for talent in the future and keep our talent here, then you have to invest in UA 糖心视频logo students,” San Pedro said.
For San Pedro, supporting UA 糖心视频logo is both a thank you for the opportunities she received and an investment in the students who will help shape Arkansas’ future.
To make a lasting commitment to student opportunity, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 501-916-3194 or email [email protected]