Scholars Latino Initiative

08/14/2026

Get your Celebración de SLI's Million Dollar Año tickets now at vasli.org/celebracion (save with promo code EARLYBIRD) to celebrate the accomplishments of SLI scholars and SLI's Million Dollar Año, help lay the foundation for increased support for students in coming years, and enjoy locally sourced Latin American cuisine, beverages including sangria, local beers, té de jamaica and horchata, the music of Lua Project, and more!

THANK YOU! to our generous event sponsors:

Blue Ridge Community College - Virginia
Brent Holsinger & Laura Toni-Holsinger
Christopher & Maria Clymer Kurtz
Dick & Pat Gardner
DuPont Community Credit Union
Eastern Mennonite University
Glass and Metals
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Herr & Company
Highest Roofing
InterChange Group, Inc.
John and Courtland Meyer
Lakeside Book Company
Lantz Construction Company
Larry Miller & Liz Yoder
Laurel Ridge Community College
LD&B Insurance and Financial Services
Park View Federal Credit Union
Phil & Loretta Helmuth
Shenandoah University
SLI Founder's Fund
The Gaines Group Architects
Valley Health

You’re invited

07/01/2026

SLI alumni are invited to apply for a SLI alumni college scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. Check your email for the application link, or request it by emailing [email protected]. The application is due July 15.

06/24/2026

Thank you, Herndon Foundation, for your major grant to support SLI's college access mission in Richmond during our “Million Dollar Año”! READ MORE: https://vasli.org/2026/06/22/herndonfoundationgrant2026/

06/22/2026

Thank you to Steve's Foundation for being part of SLI's Million Dollar Año! Your generous grant will support SLI scholars this year by helping to provide life-changing college access programs and college scholarships. As one SLI scholar shared recently, "With a grateful heart, I can say that SLI has impacted me in ways I never could have imagined. I am truly thankful for every donor whose generosity has opened doors for students like me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!”

05/25/2026

Congratulations, SLI scholars! 18 SLI scholars graduating from high school this spring were celebrated recently at special SLI gatherings in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Wi******er. They have been accepted into a dozen colleges and universities. vasli.org/sligraduations2026

05/22/2026

If you see SLI program director and board vice chair Carlos Alemán, tell him "Congrats!" Carlos, a professor of communication studies, was named the JMU Community Engagement and Volunteer Center's "Outstanding Faculty Partner" for his work with SLI. READ MORE: vasli.org/alemanoutstanding

05/12/2026

When Wi******er SLI scholars heard from Valley Health leaders in April, they didn’t just learn about healthcare professions; they also met community health leaders who were thrilled to spark their imaginations for their paths ahead. READ MORE: https://vasli.org/2026/05/11/valleyhealthpresentationspring2026/

05/07/2026

At the Harrisonburg SLI Meet & Greet earlier this year, SLI scholars and alumni expressed heartfelt thanks for two SLI program directors whose contributions have also included serving on the organization’s board of directors. The gathering brought together students, educators, board members, supporters, and more to celebrate the college access nonprofit’s mission, and provided space for honoring Carlos Alemán, PhD, a professor of communication studies at James Madison University, and Hannah Bowman Hrasky, an AVID teacher at Rocktown High School. Their more than 25 combined years of service as SLI program directors is continuing, but their terms on the SLI board will end this year. READ MORE: vasli.org/hburg26

05/04/2026

Thank you WNRN for featuring SLI's program director and board vice chair Carlos Alemán on Hear Together!

The Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) is a college access nonprofit that supports high school students through academic challenge, leadership development, affirming relationships, and scholarship awards. They work with high school and university faculty, staff, and students to offer out-of-school pre...

04/23/2026

¡¡¡THANK YOU!!! to the 52 people who contributed $46,340 during the Great Community Give to help make college dreams come true!

Folks still wanting to support SLI can contribute at vasli.org/donate anytime, or to read the latest at vasli.org/news.