Alumna Raising Scholarship Funds for Transfer Students

Cal State San Marcos alumna Tatiana Willis founded The Willis Scholarship in hopes of empowering transfer students to continue their education. Willis began her higher education at MiraCosta College before transferring to CSUSM to pursue her degree in women’s gender and sexuality studies.

While at CSUSM, her motto was to “throw the rope back.” As a student, Willis received grants and funding that played a vital role in her ability to complete her degree. This year she achieved her dream of graduating and now wants to help other transfer students follow in her footsteps.

“I started The Willis Scholarship because I was a student in need, and I received financial aid,” Willis said. “The financial aid helped me succeed in my classes by getting rid of my financial worries. This sparked an idea as I thought to myself, ‘How can I give back to my community?’ The answer was supporting transfer students like me, and that is how The Willis Scholarship was started.”

With a goal of raising $2,500 by the end of the week, The Willis Scholarship aims to support transfer students in finishing their education at CSUSM. The scholarship will go to a student with financial need in hopes of making education more accessible to transfer students of all ages and backgrounds.

The scholarship was created through Cougar Crowdfunding, which brings groups of donors together to fundraise for specific projects.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314