With a scholarship from Foundations of East Chicago (FEC) in her hometown of East Chicago, Selena Rosas was able to attend college in Indiana and now works for the state.
Selena graduated from Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI) with a Bachelor of Art in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations. She is currently working as a Grant Coordinator for Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
“It was an amazing opportunity to receive the scholarship and I feel very grateful and blessed that it came from my hometown,” Selena said. “In a small way, it feels as though your city is always behind you, pushing you to be better.”
The scholarship from FEC afforded Selena the opportunity to go to college, a feat that she once thought was not an option. Going to school three hours away from home was difficult for her; she was homesick and had trouble focusing on the different pace. But, she said she was fortunate to have professors, college counselors, campus help centers and high school role models to assist her in overcoming her nerves and graduate. After landing an offer for an internship with Marion County Emergency Management Agency-Division of Homeland Security, she has been able to continue to build her career in emergency management.
Click here to read about other scholarship recipients.
