The Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation will receive the Community Service Award from LMU’s Latino Alumni Association in honor of its dedication to philanthropy and efforts to promote Hispanic education. The presentation will take place at the group’s scholarship awards dinner on Thursday, November 12, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
The Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation was formed in 2010 and has given away millions to create scholarships for students who might otherwise not be able to attend college. In response to the need in their own community, the Foundation partnered with the City of Pico Rivera to establish Generation 1st Degree, working toward a goal of one degree in every household. In 2014, the foundation gave LAA a $15,000 grant for scholarship funds and this year gave $25,000 to establish a named scholarship at LMU.
Sodexo Inc. & Affiliates is this year’s Corporate Honoree for Leadership in the Community. Over the summer, LAA partnered with Sodexo for their Annual Community BBQ at Mar Vista Center. The event promotes healthy eating and brings awareness to childhood hunger. In addition to accepting the LAA Corporate Award, Sodexo committed their support as a LAA Dinner Presidential Sponsor with a gift of $25,000 to support LAA Scholarships.
The Alumni Role Model Award will be presented to Maria Salinas ’87 for her professional accomplishments and community involvement. Salinas is the founder and president of Salinas Consulting, LLC, and Chairwoman of ProAmérica Bank, the first Latino-owned community bank in Los Angeles County in over 35 years, serving small to mid-sized businesses with an emphasis on Hispanic businesses. Maria and her husband Raul were founders of LMU Latino Alumni Association, formerly the Mexican American Alumni Association, and in 2014 created the Salinas Family Scholarship in partnership with LMU LAA.
Over the last 34 years, LMU’s Latino Alumni Association has awarded more than 1,600 scholarships totaling more than $4 million. In addition to tuition assistance, the program also provides mentorships and career development opportunities.
