Natalia Rodriguez Lopez of West Chester, a student at Delaware County Community College (DCCC), has won a 2024 Dunkin’ Philadelphia Regional Scholarship.
She is one of 20 students selected from over 1,260 applicants to receive $5,000 to support the pursuit of part-time or full-time undergraduate degrees at accredited colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools. Students were selected based on their academic record, demonstrated leadership, and proven commitment to their school and local community.
Rodriguez Lopez’s strong academic standing resulted in an invitation to join DCCC’s Beta Psi Pi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. She is Vice President of Service for Beta Psi Pi, and in the spring of 2024, she was named to the College’s President’s List.
Service is close to Rodriguez Lopez’s heart.
“The quality and affordable education initially attracted me to DCCC,” said Rodriguez Lopez, a native of Columbia. “The Nursing program has connections with the most important hospitals and healthcare facilities in the area, and students are trained by qualified professionals. Yet, it was not until I became a DCCC student that I realized how supportive the College could be. DCCC has helped me in many ways, offering mentoring, textbook loans, and food pantry resources. As an international student living abroad far away from my family, having a supportive place and group of people to turn to for help is a game changer.”
After graduating from the College, she plans to start working as a Registered Nurse while pursuing her bachelor’s degree.
“I want to complete my degree while working part-time as a Nurse to get experience in the field while achieving my educational goals,” she said. “Teaching is another long-term goal because I am passionate about academia. I would love to inspire other students as many of my DCCC professors have inspired me.”
She added, “My parents taught me that I should always aim to give my best effort in everything I do. Since I started my life abroad, I have committed myself to do so and make them proud. This scholarship motivates me to keep pushing to make my dreams come true. I want other minority students to see that it is possible to change your life and achieve the goals you have in your mind.”
Learn more at Delaware County Community College. DCCC provides one of the most affordable ways to start a post-secondary education. Among the benefits of attending the College is the range of transfer agreements to four-year institutions to continue the pursuit of higher learning.
