Anthony, Chen, Covarrubias, Guzman get $5,000 each per year to pursue their academic goals
In acknowledgement of their outstanding academic accomplishments and active dedication to their communities, Cal State L.A. students (l-r) Ernesto Covarrubias, Ethan Chen, Ebony Anthony, and Doris Guzman were recently presented the annual Ebell/Flint Scholarships.
The four students, selected among 140 applicants this year by The Ebell of Los Angeles, will each be awarded $5,000 per year until they complete their undergraduate degrees at Cal State L.A.
The Ebell of Los Angeles is an educational and philanthropic organization founded by women in 1894. Its mission is to participate in and encourage the educational, cultural and social growth of the diverse Los Angeles community.
"These four outstanding Cal State L.A. students truly earned the Ebell/Flint Scholarship through their impressive academic achievements and deep commitment to their communities. Thank you to The Ebell of Los Angeles for supporting our deserving students!" said Cassidy Zimmerman, advisor for the National & International Scholarships and Fellowships Program at Cal State L.A.
Ebony Anthony
Anthony wants to fulfill her dream of being the first in her family to obtain a college degree so she can give back to those who supported her academic journey. She is currently a junior in the Department of Civil Engineering at Cal State L.A., having transferred from Los Angeles Southwest College.
“I have a desire so strong to be successful and to pull myself and my family out of poverty that it has driven me to overcome obstacles and be a high achiever,” said Anthony. “I am also a minority woman majoring in a field dominated by men. I believe these were just some of the things the Ebell Foundation admired about me, as it is a society of prestigious and successful women.”
As a little girl, Anthony was often curious about how things worked and how they were made—a natural problem solver. Taking that curiosity to new heights, she has an interest in America’s highway infrastructure and water resources, and hopes to one day obtain a job at the California Department of Transportation or the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. She also plans to apply to graduate school, and maybe eventually earn a Ph.D. in the future.
On campus, Anthony currently serves as secretary for the American Society of Civil Engineers. She is also a member of Chi Epsilon and the Society of Women Engineers. She’s committed to exposing youth in her community to educational and career opportunities in science and engineering. She has volunteered for the IMPACT LA outreach program and the annual Bridge Building Contest organized by the University’s College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST).
Ethan Chen
A Dean’s List student, Chen is applying to medical school this year to pursue his goal of becoming a physician working with underserved populations. Chen is committed to supporting his community by offering preventative care and medical treatment for those who can’t afford health insurance or medical fees.
“My family’s struggles with healthcare as immigrants fueled my passion towards medicine. I am motivated to make a fundamental change in the healthcare system so that other families will not be burdened with similar hardships that encumbered my family,” said Chen, a biology major. “This aspiration has shaped my drive, strong work ethic, cultural competency and capacity to become a more empathetic individual.”
In addition to his studies, Chen is currently interning at the City of Hope on a stem cell research project of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine program. He previously worked in the Neurophysiology Lab on campus. He is also involved with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP) at Cal State L.A., which is funded by the National Science Foundation in an effort to introduce underrepresented students to the basics of research and research career opportunities.
Last February, Chen was honored as Cal State L.A.’s Outstanding Senior Student during the 39th annual Alumni Awards Gala. Chen was formerly treasurer for the American Medical Student Association, president of the Neuroscience Club, and vice president for the Young Men’s Christian Association Service Club. Off campus, Chen has also volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization, mentoring elementary students.
Ernesto Covarrubias
A mechanical engineering major, Covarrubias’ aims to mentor student leaders and to assist those who come from a disadvantaged background.
“As a student leader, researcher and representative, I want to create more leaders by demonstrating what I have accomplished and inspiring them to do the same,” he said, who also works as a supervisor for the engineering department at a UPS facility in Los Angeles. “Consequently, I will use my degree and career to educate underserved communities to become more technologically advanced.”
Demonstrating leadership, Covarrubias served as the ECST Board of Director, representing his fellow students and taking actions on policies that impact his college directly and the University as a whole. He was president of the Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering honor society and chair of the University-Student Union Board of Director. Besides his school and work load, Covarrubias enjoys volunteering as a tutor and mentor at A Place Called Home non-profit youth center.
Additionally, Covarrubias was one of only six students who participated in this year’s CSU-LSAMP Costa Rica Summer Research Program. The goal was to obtain field experience and better understand the vast biodiversity of the country. He and his team combined their knowledge of research and statistics method to analyze real-world problems affecting Costa Rica. Prior to this international experience, he was involved with the Cal State L.A. LSAMP Research Training Program.
In October, Covarrubias will also be honored with the Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) “HENAAC Undergraduate Student Leadership Award.”
Doris Guzman
With a strong drive to help others, Guzman joined the U.S. Army after high school. Coming from a low-income neighborhood, she saw this as an opportunity to take advantage of the educational benefits the military has to offer.
After returning home from a six-month deployment to Kuwait as a chemical/biological/radiological nuclear specialist for the U.S. Army, Guzman began working as a teacher’s aide to support her family.
While volunteering in a special education classroom, Guzman discovered a passion in working with children and was so inspired by the lead teacher that she decided to pursue a new career either working with students with disabilities or to become an elementary school teacher.
“I want to make a difference in these kids’ lives, especially those from my neighborhood where education has historically not been a priority,” said Guzman, who is also a full-time student and mom of a 10-year-old boy. “It is a wonderful feeling knowing that I can change the students’ path and motivate them to go to college.”
This fall, she will transfer from Pasadena City College to Cal State L.A.’s Urban Learning Program, where she plans to also complete her teacher’s credential.
On receiving the scholarship, she said, “I believe I was chosen for this honor because I am a confident and strong woman with a mission and vision to succeed in my education.”
08/29/14