San Mateo, CA; May 25, 2007— College of San Mateo student Hugo Rafael Mora, whose early life was a sharp contrast to his positive community college experience, recently received welcome news. To help him continue his educational quest, Mora was awarded a $20,000 scholarship from the University of California at Santa Cruz to attend the four-year school this fall. He will join just 10 other “dedicated community college transfer students” from around the Bay Area as recipients of the school’s Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Awards, UC Santa Cruz announced earlier this week.

Tonight, Mora will graduate from CSM with an A.A. degree in liberal arts with high honors. He will also receive the prestigious Allan R. Brown Outstanding Student Service Award. A resident of South San Francisco, the 20-year-old has been an active participant in many campus activities and organizations—most notably the student group Latinos Unidos. While at UC Santa Cruz, Mora plans to study psychology and philosophy with the ultimate objective of going to law school.

“I’ve seen Hugo participate on campus,” said CSM President Michael Claire. “He’s impressed me and others here as intelligent, motivated and determined. We were pleased to nominate Hugo for the scholarship and even more pleased that he was selected.”

According to a recent UC Santa Cruz press release, the Pister “scholarship program recognizes students who have made a demonstrated commitment to assisting and improving the lives of others, have overcome adverse socioeconomic circumstances, and who might not otherwise be able to attend UCSC for financial reasons.”

Mora’s younger life was marked by frequent moves, family issues and associations with a rough crowd that included drug users. His troubles landed him in juvenile hall where, with the help of his probation officer, he gained focus and a desire to better his life through education.

“I came to CSM to get away from the negative forces in my life,” said Mora. “CSM allowed me to focus on my goals, on who I want to be.”

CSM became a “happy place” for him, he added. Mora met new friends and found emotional and educational support from faculty and student support services, especially CSM’s Extended Opportunities Programs and Services.

He recalled his first class, English 100, taught by Jean Mach.

“That was a pivotal class for me and Ms. Mach was awesome,” Mora said. “She has passion for her subject, students and teaching. I think she embodies what a community college is all about: one-on-one attention and helpfulness.” He also paid tribute to other CSM professors such as Jim Clifford (psychology) and Jesus Moya (ethnic studies), the ethnic diversity at the community college and the pleasing environment of a campus of lush greenery and panoramic views.

“I enjoy climbing the hill to CSM, seeing the horizon,” Mora concluded. “It’s symbolic for me as I achieve my goals.”

For a photo of Hugo Mora please click here.