HANCEVILLE – Wallace State sophomore Jasmine Zavala was recently awarded a UAB Presidential Transfer Scholarship.
Zavala, a Cleveland High graduate, was one of two Wallace State students to receive the scholarship, which covers tuition and academic-related fees for four semesters at UAB, beginning in the fall.
“I’m so thankful and blessed to receive this scholarship. I carry the letter around my purse everywhere I go because it means so much,” said Zavala, 20. “It truly is a life-changer for me and proves if you work hard, persevere and have faith, anything is possible.”
As a business administration major at Wallace State, Zavala is a regular on the Dean’s List each semester, and she plans to enroll in UAB’s Collat School of Business and pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Zavala has been very active on campus during her two years at Wallace State – an early goal she set for herself upon enrolling at the college.
“I wasn’t involved in many things in high school, and I told myself to step out of my comfort zone in college and to find ways to become engaged on campus. I saw it as a new beginning and a way to increase my leadership skills,” said Zavala, who thanked multiple Wallace State employees for motivating her over the last two years. “It’s helped my confidence to become involved on campus, and it’s good to give back.”
Zavala is a member of Wallace State’s Student Government Association and Rotaract Club and is in the Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, Mu Alpha Theta and business department’s honor societies. She was also one of four students to represent Wallace State last summer at the Student Leadership Institute (SLI) in Columbiana.
Zavala is also a first-generation student among her family members and is on track to earn the first academic degree within her family. She has five siblings, whose ages range from 33 years old to 15. Jasmine and her younger brother were born in the United States, while her older siblings were born in Mexico.
“It’s also a special achievement within my family. It’s one reason I’ve always worked hard to keep my grades up and remain motivated,” said Zavala, who is fluent in both English and Spanish. “A good education matters so much to me.”
Zavala is excited to walk across the graduation stage in May with the scholarship and diploma in hand.
“I came to Wallace State because it was close to home. It’s one of the best decisions I could have made. I’ve grown up so much here as a person, and three years ago, I don’t know if I would have believed I could be in this spot,” Zavala said. “Wallace State has allowed me to make my dreams come true and helped me grow so much confidence.”
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
