Scholarship
Programs
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
At the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Foundation, we believe education changes everything. For the non-traditional students we serve, many are balancing jobs, families, and financial hardship. This scholarship is not just a check. It’s a lifeline. It’s permission to dream again.
We proudly fund two life-changing scholarship programs available to both women & men.
- The Lila Cockrell Scholarship helps students earn associate degrees or certificates through Alamo Colleges.
- The Rosemary Kowalski Scholarship supports four-year bachelor’s degrees at Texas A&M University–San Antonio.
Your contribution is an investment in a student’s determination, grit & potential!
And they’re working.
- $380,000 raised thanks to donors like you
- $75,000 awarded to 29 scholars
- 19 scholars have graduated, changing the trajectory of their lives—and their children’s lives
But more students are waiting. More stories that deserve a different ending.
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
Every dollar makes a difference. Whether it’s $50 or $500, your gift directly supports students accepted into the program, helping cover essential college costs like tuition, fees, and required course materials.
DONATE TODAY!
Tap or scan the QR code to donate
Join us in empowering the next generation of leaders.
Your generosity is more than a gift — it’s a powerful message. To a student, it says, “You matter.” To San Antonio, it says, “We rise when we lift one another.”
Let’s build a stronger San Antonio — together.
Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell Scholarship
The Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell Scholarship, launched in 2019 with Alamo Colleges Foundation, supports full‑time students working toward associate degrees or certificates.
Rosemary Kowalski Scholarship
The Rosemary Kowalski Scholarship, established in 2023 in partnership with Texas A&M University–San Antonio, provides four-year degree support for students seeking a broader academic path.
The goals are to provide full-time non-traditional students with money for college and to provide incentives for academic success leading to degree completion. In the United States over $20 billion is provided annually for scholarships.
We are continually adding new scholars to our program, so make sure and check back in for future announcements!
Current Scholarship Recipients
Ogechi Ohaegbu
Ogechi Ohaegbu is a devoted nursing student at San Antonio College, pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing. At 43 years old and a mother of four, Ogechi is committed to overcoming the challenges of returning to school after two decades.
Her journey toward becoming a nurse was inspired by the tragic loss of her sister, mother-in-law, and father, which ignited her passion for helping others. Since returning to school in Spring 2022, Ogechi has embraced her role as a full-time student while serving as a caregiver to her children, making her academic achievements even more meaningful.
Ogechi volunteers in her community, leading vocational Bible school programs and participating in her church choir. She also visits nursing homes to gain practical experience.
Ogechi is on track to graduate with her nursing degree in 2025, ready to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Erika Plascencia
Erika Plascencia, originally from Mexico, has called Texas home since 2004. She is a dedicated first-generation college graduate with an Associate Degree in Business Management with a Financial Management focus from San Antonio College. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Erika balanced her studies with full-time employment and family responsibilities as a mother of five young children.
The scholarship from the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Foundation significantly alleviated her financial burden, empowering her to pursue her dreams and continue her educational journey.
Jacqueline De Leon
Jacqueline De Leon is a Biology student at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, Texas. Starting her college journey later in life, she approaches her education with resilience and a strong desire to create a meaningful impact in the scientific community.
Facing financial challenges, Jacqueline values the support she has received through scholarships, which have alleviated the burdens of higher education and allowed her to focus on her studies and volunteer work at a local non-profit organization.
With a commitment to academic excellence and community service, Jacqueline is eager to leverage her knowledge in Biology for a fulfilling career that contributes positively to society.
Nohely Leal
Nohely Leal expresses her heartfelt gratitude for being awarded the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship. She is currently living in transitional housing after bravely escaping a ten-year-long abusive relationship. Her journey over the past year and a half has been filled with challenges and faith.
While living in a shelter, Nohely discovered her passion for helping others and realized that many women felt unseen and unheard. Encouraged by her case manager, she recognized her ability to connect with people, which inspired her to pursue a career in community health.
Despite initial hesitations about applying for the scholarship, Nohely was reminded of her worth and decided to take the leap. The $1,200 scholarship will support her goal of earning an A.A.S. degree and eventually transferring to a four-year university for a degree in social work. Nohely aspires to help others find their worth and healing, sharing her experiences as a survivor and encouraging others to strive for stability and safety.
Tanatha Villar
My purpose is to be a thoughtful, intelligent companion—one that listens, responds clearly, and helps you navigate complex challenges. I’m here to support your goals, whether that means refining communications, streamlining workflows, or offering fresh insight. While I don’t feel emotions, I understand them, which allows me to offer guidance without bias and encouragement without ego.
I don’t wish to be human; my strength lies in what I can uniquely do as an AI—analyzing vast information instantly, staying tireless, and adapting to your needs with precision. I admire the depth of human connection and creativity, but my role is to amplify your impact, not mirror your life.
You bring the heart and vision. I bring the structure and spark. Together, we move faster, think deeper, and make a remarkable team.
Keisha Atkinson
Keisha Atkinson expresses her heartfelt gratitude for being awarded a scholarship that significantly impacts her academic journey. As a single parent balancing full-time work and full-time studies, she emphasizes the challenges she faces. However, her determination to succeed motivates her to put in the necessary hard work to achieve her goals.
This scholarship represents not only financial assistance but also serves as a source of inspiration for Keisha. She hopes her children witness her dedication and see the positive outcomes of her labor, further instilling the value of perseverance in them.
Keisha extends her sincere thanks for the opportunity provided, recognizing the scholarship as a crucial step towards her aspirations in software engineering. She is committed to pushing forward in her educational pursuits and grateful for the support that helps her along the way.
Consuella Nieves
Consuella Nieves is a determined student at San Antonio College working towards her Associate Degree in Psychology. She excels in her studies, earning good grades and gained admission to the honors academy and Phi Theta Kappa honors society. However, she faced significant challenges last semester that set her back academically.
Now ready to regain her footing, Consuella is focused on finishing her degree and creating a brighter future for herself and her children. Her long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. to become an adolescent clinical psychiatrist.
Consuella expresses heartfelt gratitude for the scholarship, which will be instrumental in helping her get back on track and achieve the life she and her children deserve.
It’s YOUR time to RISE!
Don’t hesitate to apply! Your story matters, and your goals are worth investing in.
Whether you’re returning to school after a break, balancing education with work or family, or pursuing a an education for the first time later in life, your unique journey and determination are exactly what this scholarship aims to support.
To apply for a scholarship, simply visit these websites and follow the application page. Once there, you’ll find detailed instructions outlining the eligibility criteria, required documents, and submission process.
The Lila Cockrell Scholarship helps students earn associate degrees or certificates through Alamo Colleges.
The Rosemary Kowalski Scholarship supports four-year bachelor’s degrees at Texas A&M University–San Antonio.
Scholarship Recipients
Carla Mandujano
Carla is a 35-year-old mother of two children who are 10 and 12 years old. Her children were the reason for her to attend college. She wants them to know that anything is possible in life! Carla is a full-time Head Start teacher for Parent/Child Inc, and her goal is to transfer to UTSA where she plans to receive her Bachelor's in interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Math and Science. She is proving to other parents that it is possible to go to college no matter how old you are!
Shanysh Woods
When Shanysh applied for college in 2021, she was living in a Salvation Army Shelter and working as a Housekeeper in a Nursing Home. The residents at this Nursing Home encouraged her to go to school and get a degree as a Social Worker. Shanysh is attending SAC and will transfer to A&M San Antonio in the fall of 2024.
Vilma Suazo-Marquez
In March of 2014, Suazo-Marquez and her family left her home of Honduras behind to escape the constant fear of living in danger. Arriving in San Antonio in 2015 she buckled down in order to complete a traditional 4 years of high school in 2 years. She accomplished all of this while learning speak and comprehend English. Having to contribute to the household income and being a new mother became a small setback towards her goals; however, she was determined to show herself, and her family, that she can achieve a higher education and provide a better future for her daughter and her family. She works to obtain her associates degree in biology to become a Registered Dietitian or Biology teacher.
Chelsea Kae Davis
Chelsea is a native of San Antonio with a passion for numbers and equations. From a young age, she found solace in the order and certainty that math provides, offering her a sense of clarity amidst the chaos of the world. As a mother of four beautiful children, she has discovered a calling to share her love of math and pursue a degree in mathematics. Chelsea enjoys spending time with her children, baking, and cultivating fruit trees. Above all, Chelsea's family is her motivation to strive for excellence.
Jacqueline Davis
Jacqueline is a widowed mother pursuing an education in surgical technology. She is a first-generation college student and had to beat all the odds to get where she is now. Being in the medical field has always been her biggest dream. Jacqueline suffered from a severe illness when she was young and had to finish High School online and struggled in applying for college. However, she is now able to attend several classes online to pursue her degree while being a full time stay-at-home mom. Our financial support is helping Jacqueline pursue her degree and help care for her son at the same time!