Gavilan Student Gets $20K Pister Scholarship To Attend UC Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Aileen Romero, a student at Gavilan College in Gilroy, was awarded the $20,000 The Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Scholarship to attend UC Santa Cruz.

The scholarship, named after former UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Karl S. Poster and established in 1993, aims to increase opportunities for community college students who want to transfer to UC Santa Cruz.

Romero is the second person in her family to be awarded the Pister Scholarship.

“I want to say thank you to the community at Gavilan College for all their support, and Si Se Puede!” she said.

The scholarship specifically aims to recognize students who have overcome adverse socioeconomic circumstances and have committed themselves to assisting and improving the lives of others.

“We are so proud of Aileen for being selected for this scholarship, all her accomplishments, not only academically but especially of her commitment to serving students as the Student Region IV Representative, dedicated to improving mental health awareness, and encouraging students to seek resources,” said Gavilan College Superintendent Kathleen Rose.

Presidents of each of the 13 regional community colleges can nominate candidates for the scholarship. One student from each college receives the award, which is worth $10,000 for two years.