Your 2025 Recipients

Watch the students in this YouTube video.

Mohammad Samir Saqib

I’m an immigrant student who has run into financial, professional and personal problems. I believe that our struggles shape our strengths, so I held on to this throughout. I am studying to get my Bachelor of Computer Science degree at Sacramento State. My goal is to create and use technological solutions to impact lives. This has allowed me to specialize in educational software, hardware, and health informatics.

Even though going to school full-time, I have worked in customer service, tech support and tutoring. I became more patient and good at communication due to this experience. I speak four languages: Farsi, Pashto, English and Dari. This helps me support different people.

Receiving the Renaissance Scholarship means more than financial support—it’s a reminder that my story, my struggles and my dreams matter. It gives me the strength to keep going, with the hope that one day, I can lift someone else the way this scholarship has lifted me.

A quotation that reflects my journey is, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”—Nelson Mandela.

I am grateful for this opportunity and trust in scholars like me.

Bianca Esparza

I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the opportunity to further pursue my scholarly goals through your generous contribution. I am truly honored to be selected by such a distinguished community, one that not only supports lifelong learning for older adults but also fosters the growth of students like me.

As a 31-year-old doctoral student in Audiology and a first-generation college student, I have overcome many barriers surrounding higher education. I chose Audiology because I wanted to pursue a profession centered around helping others. As a highly empathetic person, I knew this field would allow me to provide compassionate care, especially to older adults who deserve understanding, kindness and dignity in their healthcare.

Through my experience in our university’s clinic, I’ve been deeply inspired by the resilience and self-advocacy demonstrated by our older adult patients. Their willingness to seek care and actively participate in their treatment has fueled my desire to become a healthcare professional who offers the utmost care and resources needed to support their goals. Thanks to your support, I can continue this journey with confidence, knowing that I’m on the right path to making a meaningful difference in the lives of many.

Your contribution has eased the financial burden on me and my family, allowing me to focus more on my academic and professional growth. I hope to one day give back and support others who aspire to serve our older adult community.

Thank you once again for your generous support

Argelia Jauregui

Argelia Jauregui is a first-generation Mexican-American, non-traditional student.

Returning to pursue a higher education as a mother of four is a testament to her resilience, perseverance, and unwavering determination. Having obtained a Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD) and graduating Summa Cum Lade was a tremendous accomplishment.

Argelia is continuing her education as a Graduate student also in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Argelia’s goal is to become a Speech and Language Pathologist and work with the Hispanic community, considering she is fluent in Spanish.

Her goal is to help reduce the negative stigma surrounding therapy and be an advocate for the benefits that speech therapy can have on a person’s life.

Anya Timchenko

Anya Timchenko is a Public Health major at Sacramento State University with a concentration in Administration. She also serves as a Student Services Technician for the CalWORKs program at Sierra College, supporting student-parents in accessing education, financial aid and essential campus resources.

With a strong interest in mental health and public service, Anya plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology to provide therapy and advocacy for underserved communities.

Originally from Ukraine, Anya immigrated to the United States seeking safety and stability for her family. As a full-time student, full-time professional and mother of four, she brings dedication, empathy, and resilience to her academic and career journey.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anya co-created a volunteer project with a retired teacher to support immigrant families facing language and cultural barriers in education. Over the course of 1.5 years, the program helped 15 recently immigrated students improve their learning experiences while also giving older adult volunteers a renewed sense of purpose and connection during an isolating time.

Anya remains committed to bridging intergenerational and cultural gaps through inclusive programs that uplift both youth and older adults. She hopes to inspire others and lead by example in creating communities rooted in care, dignity, and purpose. Anya is honored to be a Renaissance Scholar and deeply grateful for the support that allows her to continue this work and pursue her goals.

Basira Halim

My name is Basira Halim, and I’m currently a nursing student at California State University, Sacramento. I was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, and moved to California five years ago with my family in hopes of building a better future.

The transition wasn’t easy, but I’ve learned so much along the way, and I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come. I come from a big, loving family of 10, and they’ve been my biggest support system throughout this journey. Being one of the first in my family to attend university here in the US has been both an honor and a responsibility I take seriously.

Before starting my nursing journey, I worked as a pharmacy technician, where I developed a love for helping others and saw firsthand the impact of compassionate care. These experiences have shaped my goal of becoming a nurse who not only provides medical care but also emotional support to patients and their families.

Outside of school, I am actively involved in my community, particularly through volunteer work at my local mosque. I speak multiple languages, which allows me to connect with diverse groups of people and better understand their needs.

Receiving this scholarship is both an honor and a reminder of the hard work I’ve put in. It will allow me to continue pursuing my nursing education and eventually give back to my community in meaningful ways. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making a difference as a nurse.

Hanh Hua

My name is Hanh Hua. I am a first-generation Vietnamese American student currently in my second year at Sacramento State, majoring in Health Science and part of the General Education Honors Program.

My volunteer work at the Sacramento VA Medical Center has been a formative part of my academic journey, sparking a deep interest in caring for older adults. Supporting veterans and witnessing the unique challenges faced by aging populations has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing.

I will begin my first semester in the nursing program at Sac State this fall, with the long-term goal of specializing in geriatric care after becoming a licensed registered nurse. I will be the first nurse in my family, and I hope to be a source of knowledge and guidance for my loved ones as they navigate their own health needs, supporting and uplifting those around me.

The financial realities of nursing school can be daunting, and I am sincerely grateful to the Renaissance Society for helping to ease this burden. This scholarship not only provides financial relief but also serves as a meaningful affirmation of my efforts and aspirations.

I am deeply thankful to the faculty and staff at Sacramento State whose support has been instrumental in helping me pursue my goals. Their guidance, combined with the generosity of the Renaissance Society, continues to inspire me to give back through compassionate, community-centered care. I am honored to be a recipient of this scholarship. Thank you for believing in me.

This is her own video:

This is her own YouTube video.