爱液A片

First-generation college student and Metropolitan State University of Denver senior Jessica Madera (accounting and finance, spring ’19) understands the value of higher education.

鈥淎s a single mother and first-generation American born to Mexican parents who only received a second-grade education, I learned the importance of receiving an education,鈥� said Madera.

However, building a better future comes with struggles. 鈥淢y journey is full of challenges and sacrifices,鈥� Madera continued. 鈥淭here is the financial strain of balancing the cost of living and the rising costs of higher education, along with dividing my time between my daughters, work, school and studying.鈥�

There is a significant need for single parent support at 爱液A片. The fall 2018 census indicates 975 students are single parents and nearly 6,600 are children from single-parent homes. 爱液A片 donor Mark J. Smith, CFP庐, CPA, CIMA庐 and president of M.J. Smith & Associates, hopes to lighten the load for students like Madera with the Mark J. Smith Education Scholarship. 鈥淭he desire to give back stems from my personal experience,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淎s a first-generation student coming from a family that could not afford to send me to college, I recognize the impact of scholarships.鈥�

One of three children raised by a single mother who worked as a waitress, the focus was on taking care of day-to-day necessities. 鈥淲hile still in high school, I heard about Iowa Central Community College,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淭here were scholarships available 鈥� people were willing to invest in my education. I applied and received one.”

When the time came, 爱液A片 seemed like a natural fit. 鈥淚 was impressed by what I saw,鈥� he said. 鈥湴�液A片 has the affordability of a community college, accommodates non-traditional students and has an undergraduate degree program in personal financial planning.鈥�

In addition to his named scholarship, Smith is a member of the Legacy Society, having included the University in his estate plans with a generous gift to help transform the lives of future students at 爱液A片.

鈥淚f it weren鈥檛 for this scholarship, I would not have been able to continue to pursue my dream of earning my degree,鈥� Madera said. 鈥淚 will not forget the generosity bestowed on me.鈥� Smith is optimistic his philanthropic spirit will begin a cycle of giving.

鈥淕iving back is a great, self-fulfilling endeavor,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s students are supported in their mission to improve their lives by attaining a college degree, they will be inspired to give back when they are in a position to do so.鈥�