On August 6, The Connecticut Association of Latinos in Higher Education (CALAHE) awarded Naugatuck Valley Community College student Brian Soto a $1,000 academic scholarship to recognize his hard work and dedication to his studies. Soto, who is majoring in accounting, was also honored last spring by NVCC’s Male Encouragement Network (MEN) for his commitment to academic and personal success.

“This is an honor,” said Soto. “It will help me move forward in my college career.”

When he began taking classes at NVCC, Soto says the extensive support network made him feel as if he had a second family at the college, which indeed he does. Soto is extensively involved in the Workforce Achievers Value Education (WAVE) program, which is designed to assist students with the transition to college and the job market.

Soto plans to graduate from NVCC next spring and transfer to Western Connecticut State University to pursue his bachelor’s degree.

“Brian is one of those students who is really dedicated to his education,” said Susan Houlihan, assistant coordinator of the WAVE program at NVCC. “[CALAHE] is a special group of people who are warm, welcoming and especially student centered… I am so impressed by the work this organization does to support students with diverse academic backgrounds from all over the state.”

This is the second year that a WAVE student from NVCC has been awarded a scholarship from CALAHE, which promotes and advocates full access, retention and participation of Latinos/Latinas throughout Connecticut higher education. The non-profit organization, which began with a meeting of a handful of Latino educators in 1978, today is composed of Latino and non-Latino personnel and students from institutions of higher and secondary education, and other professional organizations who share in the spirit of that mission.

CALAHE awards scholarships annually to students who are bound for or currently enrolled in college.