Two scholarship winners at Kansas City campus

Two scholarship winners at Kansas City campus

Tonya Robinson (left) and Valerie Rivera (right)

Columbia College–Kansas City recently awarded scholarships to two students. The Frank S. Westling Scholarship was awarded to Tonya Robinson, and the Columbia College–Kansas City scholarship was awarded to Valerie Rivera.

Tonya Robinson is employed at Saint Luke’s south hospital and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. According to Robinson, this degree will help her help people understand the importance of diversity and getting along with others in life. She has been a Diversity Trainer since 2005 and is confident that her degree will help her advance her career. Robinson is a dedicated student who has invested a lot of effort into pursing her degree. She has worked with other companies such as the Women’s Employment Network and presented diversity training sessions as well as mock interviews to help others prepare for job interviews. She is very appreciative of this scholarship which will help her continue her education.

Valerie Rivera is a proud mother of two boys who keep her running. Both Rivera and her husband understand the value of being good role models for their children. Rivera, unfortunately, was laid off from her full-time job, but now she has time to devote to her family and her studies. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration, with hopes of continuing with law school. Besides being a full-time student at the Kansas City campus, she is active in the Pop Warner fundraising for the benefit of those children who otherwise will not be able to travel with their football teams. She is also the chairperson of the PAFLE committee with the PTA at Sycamore Hills Elementary School working with teachers and families to create activities for the children of the school. She is honored to receive this scholarship that has been provided by the adjunct faculty at the Kansas City campus.