Student Story

Catawba overall has the most amazing opportunities for any student, no matter what race, background or beliefs we may come from. It just takes for us to seek and get involved.”

Alicia Deras-Cruz is a senior Biology major. She was part of the first Unanue Scholars Program at Catawba and has served as a mentor during her time on campus. When asked about the Unanue Scholars Program, Alicia said, “The Unanue Scholars program helps give Latina students in Rowan County an insight as to what a college course on campus feels like. These Latina students have a desire to learn more about what higher education is and what it requires of them. They are paired with Catawba College Latina student mentors that will help guide them through the course throughout the semester and help with any advice the students may seek about the college life.”

“When the Unanue program first started, I heard about it through my school counselor and became interested and applied. I was accepted into the program in the Fall of ’19. Taking the ‘Hispanics in the US’ course with Dr. Wilson was a great experience. The fact that it was an on-campus course made it even more appealing to me because as a first-generation student, I had no idea what it was like to be in a 4-year school classroom or campus. The mentors of the program became very helpful,” said Alicia.

When asked how she learned about Catawba, she said, “At the end of the course, I was given a scholarship to attend Catawba after high school and that made my decision even easier to decide what college to go to. Catawba was the perfect choice! It was close to home, a small school, friendly and loving community, and the instructors really cared about you as a person and not just a student. I also wanted to be able to become a Unanue Scholars mentor to give back the help I received as a Hispanic Latina, first generation student to other Latinas in the county who may be in the shoes I once was. I feel honored to be a mentor in the program and give back knowledge, information, and support like I received two years ago. I know I have become a leader and a helping hand to these ladies who want to accomplish and reach their dreams as the Latinas that we all are!”

“This is an unforgettable experience that Catawba has allowed me to live.”

When asked about being a mentor, Alicia said, “As a mentor, it has been a great experience meeting with my mentees (students of the program) regularly to help guide them through their blackboard accounts, how to get around the campus, answer the questions they have about college, etc.  My responsibilities were to meet with them frequently, keep them updated on the course, making sure they got all their questions answered and helping to make them feel comfortable when on the campus or in the classroom.”