I applied to the Southern Management Leadership Program (SMLP) during my senior year at Prince George’s Community College. SMLP is a scholarship initiative targeted at students interested in entrepreneurship, starting a business or leading a company. I was 19 and had recently arrived from Honduras, where I’d finished high school.

At first, it was hard to adapt to living in a new country, but I had one goal in mind: to obtain a college degree. I was the first in my family to attend college. I had a full course load, but I also worked full time so I could help family members in Honduras. After sharing my story and my goals with the SMLP program managers, I was selected for the scholarship.

The most significant benefit I received from the scholarship was the support and guidance from the managers and the other students in my SMLP cohort. Of course the financial factor is very important, but having people offering me support and advice was the best thing I got from the program. My transition to UMD was not easy, but this support network made things much better. Being in the SMLP program was like being part of a family.

Sandra Raymundo graduated in 2018

The donors who support SMLP and other scholarship programs are giving young people a great opportunity to accomplish their dreams.

--Sandra Raymundo