When the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF) was established in 2005, it began with a straightforward conviction: Latino students deserve both opportunity and support as they pursue their educational goals. What started as a modest, community‑driven effort has since grown into a cornerstone of Latino student advancement in Nebraska—one that blends financial assistance with mentorship, guidance, and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the classroom.
A Core Mission: Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity through Empowerment
BSF was founded at a time when many Latino students faced steep barriers to higher education. Rising tuition costs, limited access to resources, and the challenges of being first‑generation college students often stood between them and the possibility of earning a degree. Marcos Mora saw this reality not as an inevitability, but as a call to action. He created an organization rooted in the belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not—and that bridging this gap could transform both individual futures and the broader community.
At its core, the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation’s mission is to empower Latino students who have demonstrated academic excellence, community service, and personal ambition by reducing financial barriers, fostering academic pathways, and offering mentoring and coaching opportunities. Over two decades later, that mission remains the Foundation’s guidepost.
Scholarships were the Foundation’s priority and remain one of its most visible contributions. BSF awards scholarships to students pursuing a wide range of fields—healthcare, engineering, business, education, the arts, and skilled trades among them. These awards are designed to meet students where they are. Recipients come from different backgrounds, attend different colleges and universities, and bring with them a range of career goals. What unites them is their drive to succeed and the Foundation’s commitment to helping them move forward with fewer financial obstacles.
Yet, as BSF quickly learned, supporting students means more than offering tuition assistance. Many students face unfamiliar systems, cultural pressures, and expectations that can complicate the transition to higher education. For first‑generation students especially, the journey can feel isolating. To address these challenges, the Foundation created its Student Success Program—now one of the most impactful components of BSF’s work.
The Student Success Program offers academic and personal development resources aimed at helping students thrive on campus and beyond. Workshops on Life Choices and Decisions, Health & Wellness, Financial Literacy, and Social Skills give students practical tools for navigating academic life. Individual advising ensures that students have a trusted guide when questions or challenges arise. Most importantly, the program fosters a sense of community. Students connect with peers who share similar backgrounds and ambitions, forming a support network that often lasts years beyond graduation.
For many students, the program’s mentorship component makes all the difference. BSF brings together professionals and community leaders who understand the lived realities of Latino students—people who can speak to balancing work and college, navigating predominantly white institutions, or managing family responsibilities while pursuing a degree. These mentors help students envision their future careers with clarity and confidence, and they model what success can look like for the next generation.
Over time, this sense of community has expanded beyond the student body. BSF alumni frequently return as speakers, volunteers, or supporters. They represent the Foundation´s growing legacy: educators, nurses, engineers, business owners, artists, and public servants who have carried their achievements back into the community. Their influence illustrates a central truth behind BSF’s mission—that when Latino students are supported in achieving their goals, their success strengthens families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and the region.
Expanded Programs for a Shifting Landscape
As BSF looks ahead, it does so with both pride and urgency. The organization recognizes that the higher education landscape continues to shift, and student needs evolve along with it. The rising cost of college, new workforce demands, and the pressures facing first‑generation students all shape the experiences of today’s Latino learners. The Foundation is working to meet these realities with expanded programming and deeper community engagement.
One key priority is increasing both the number and the size of scholarships awarded. The Foundation understands that sustained financial support can make a critical difference—reducing the need to juggle multiple jobs, allowing students to take full course loads, or giving them room to engage in internships and leadership roles.
BSF is also exploring ways to grow its Student Success Program through a Masterclass Initiative. The program will provide students with the professional and leadership skills they need to thrive—and prepare them to become future leaders who will guide and shape BSF for the next generation.
Another focus is strengthening outreach to high schools and families. By connecting earlier with potential students, BSF aims to demystify the college application process and encourage students who may not yet see themselves as college‑bound. Engaging parents and caregivers is equally important; when families feel informed and empowered, students benefit from stronger support systems at home.
Looking to the Future: A Regional Catalyst of Opportunities
Looking even further ahead, the Foundation envisions itself as a regional leader in Latino student advancement—an organization that continues to evolve, adapt, and advocate. BSF intends to be a voice for equity in education, a convener of community partners, and a catalyst for opportunities that move Latino students toward fulfilling careers and vibrant futures.
Through all this growth, the heart of BSF’s work remains unchanged. The Foundation continues to champion the dignity, resilience, and promise of Latino students. Each scholarship is an act of belief. Each workshop is an investment in potential. Each alum is a reminder that opportunity and support can fundamentally alter the trajectory of a life.
From its beginnings in 2005 to its work today, the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation has stood alongside students as they navigate challenges, celebrate milestones, and build futures they once only hoped were possible. The years ahead bring new goals and expanding programs, but one truth remains: when Latino students are supported, they rise—and they bring their communities with them.
The Barrientos Scholarship Foundation is proud to be part of that journey, and it remains committed to opening doors for the generations yet to come.
About the author
Loreno Jameson serves as President of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF), leading efforts to expand educational opportunities for Latino students. A long‑time advocate for equity and community leadership, he is dedicated to developing and strengthening the programs that help students succeed in college, career, and life.
