Creating a New Pathway: Lupe’s Story

As a child growing up in Yakima, CSF Alumna Lupe didn’t know anyone in her family or neighborhood who went to college.

“I was raised by a single immigrant mother with a middle school education. She did the best to raise and support four kids while working long hours at local fruit warehouses,” Lupe says. “I never imagined that college could be a possibility for me.”

Navigating Her College Journey

Then Lupe learned about College Success Foundation. With the support of her friends and teachers, she applied for a CSF scholarship when she was a junior at A.C. Davis High School. “I didn’t know at the time how this would give me better opportunities and positively impact me and my family forever,” she says.

In addition to financial support, CSF gave her the tools and resources she needed to navigate her college journey. 

“The support I received in high school pushed me to invest in my future and helped with college applications. Once I was in college at Eastern Washington University, CSF assigned an advisor who became a great friend. This advisor encouraged me to join college clubs, introduced me to other students with similar backgrounds, and provided words of encouragement,” Lupe says. 

A Strong and Determined Woman

A few years later, she became the first in her family to graduate from college. “This taught me a tremendous amount about myself and showed me that I had become a strong and determined woman. It also started a chain reaction which inspired my siblings and cousins to pursue higher education,” she says.

Tacoma has been Lupe’s home for the past 12 years. She works for BECU as a Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering analyst focused on preventing money laundering and other financial crimes. To give back and support fellow alumni, she serves as a member of the CSF-Tacoma Alumni Board.

“Higher education empowers students who come from similar backgrounds as me to build a legacy, break the cycle of poverty, and create a pathway for the next generation.”