Alexia Castillo was a busy high school student in Bloomfield, NM. While navigating COVID protocols, the varsity cheerleader and senior class president also made National Honor Society all four years. When it came time to think about college, Alexia had to make an important decision: Follow her sister to Fort Lewis College or attend NMSU? 

Finding a second home and lively classroom experiences
Upon visiting NMSU, the choice became clear. Alexia loved the lively experience NMSU promised, and as soon as she moved into Garcia Hall, she knew she had found her second home. Alexia says, “I met my best friends here! We’d have dinner together, movie nights, and talk for hours. It made the transition of being away from my family and high school friends so much easier.” 

Alexia found lively experiences in her classes, too, especially her Honors College classes: “A group of us went to a global citizenship dinner to try food from different countries. We were all kind of scared, but we did it together! It really sparked my curiosity in learning more about the world.”  

A dream comes true, thanks to Honors College awards 
In one of Alexia’s classes, Honors College Dean Phame Camarena introduced students to the “first-time traveler” Faculty-Led International Program (FLIP), which was headed to Europe. Alexia was eager to go — but thought it was out of reach because of the cost. Raised with five siblings by a single mom, Alexia also wanted to stay close to home in case she was needed. But her mother was determined that Alexia wouldn’t miss this chance, and she took out a loan to make it possible.  

Knowing her situation, Dean Camarena encouraged Alexia to apply for funding through the Honors College Dean’s Fund for Excellence and the Honors College Study Abroad fund. Alexia received $1,000, easing her worries about placing any burden on her family.  

The trip was everything Alexia had dreamed of: “The best part was seeing history through so much artwork. But what made me happiest was seeing the pride in my mom’s heart when I returned.”  

Emergency help, thanks to the Elizabeth Ayres Pollard Endowed Scholarship
When she applied to NMSU, Alexia knew she would need to support her own education, which included applying for scholarships.  

Alexia received several private scholarships and awards at NMSU, including the 1888 Leadership Scholarship, the College of Arts and Sciences Fund for Excellence, and the Nancy Lightfoot Watson Endowed Scholarship.  

Alexia notes, “College was my chance to become a young adult and be secure in my ability to take care of myself.” Yet, there came a day at the end of one semester that Alexia realized she had a tuition balance she couldn’t pay — meaning she couldn’t register for the next semester. “I didn’t know what to do,” she says. “I thought I did the math right, but I didn’t realize how much some things cost. I was overwhelmed. It was finals week, and I was wondering if taking my finals was even worth it.” 

Alexia wisely reached out to Cody Womack, the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Success Coordinator. “Talking to Cody was such a relief. As busy as he was, he listened and told me what to do, which was to immediately apply for the Elizabeth Ayres Pollard Endowed Scholarship.” This fund, Cody told Alexia, supports Arts and Sciences majors who are in good academic standing but have an outstanding balance that prevents them from registering for classes. Not only did Alexia receive a Pollard scholarship, but she also did just fine on her finals. 

The people behind the scholarships
Cody invited Alexia to the college’s reception for Elizabeth Ayres Pollard scholarship recipients. “I was unbelievably grateful to meet the donors. I even met Elizabeth Pollard’s mother!” One of Alexia’s other scholarship supporters was there as well: “She took me by the hand and introduced me to everyone in her group. Meeting them motivated me so much because of the validation from complete strangers who have faith and want to help and still want to know what’s going on in my life.” 

This introduction to generous donors sparked something in Alexia, inspiring her to do everything she could to make them proud. She became an Arts and Sciences student ambassador, a role that allowed her to give back and one she continues to embrace. “My scholarships started me on a much bigger journey,” she shares. 

What the future holds
Alexia is double majoring in Criminal Justice and English. She has always wanted to help children, believing that “if we give up on them, we give up on everything to come.” Her goal after graduation is to work as a child advocate: “Criminal Justice is a good major because so many people in my life came from troubled homes, and I always wanted to do more.” Alexia chose English as a second major because her beloved high school AP English teacher inspired her to change the lives of others. Alexia says, “I couldn’t go to college and not carry a piece of him with me.”  

Alexia reserves her highest praise for the people at NMSU: “Thank you to the people at NMSU and the community that is here — the deans, the generous alumni, the college coordinators — nothing in my educational journey would have been possible without you.”

Learn more about the Elizabeth Ayres Pollard Endowed Scholarship here: NMSU Arts and Sciences Elizabeth Ayres Pollard scholarship.