Nicholas Academic Centers Launches 202 Students From Disadvantaged Backgrounds to Prestigious Universities
Lorena Alvarez's immigrant parents who worked the night shift cleaning hospital rooms taught Lorena the value of hard work. Now, she will be the first in her family to attend college. Jesus Huerta's mother taught 4-year-old Jesus the alphabet and mathematics using books from the 99 Cents Store. Watching his parents struggle to pay for necessities motivated Jesus to attend college and pursue a career in business to support his family. Sandra Hernandez learned to adapt to loud environments as her family shared one house with many other families to make ends meet. The Nicholas Academic Centers (NAC) became her quiet sanctuary to study, and she was often the last to leave. Emmanuel Jaimes's mother disappeared from his life six years ago, leaving him to be raised by his single father and grandparents. This motivated Emmanuel to reach for the stars and bring original ideas to the field of aerospace engineering. The NAC helped these students overcome financial, social, and emotional hardships to achieve academic success; the four are receiving full rides to Harvard University, University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, and the University of California, Los Angeles, respectively.
On June 10, 2023, Broadcom Cofounder Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III, the NAC, elected officials, and community members held the 15th annual NAC graduation ceremony to celebrate the tremendous achievements of the 202-member Class of 2023. One hundred percent of the NAC graduates will move forward with their academic careers at prestigious universities, receiving 1,749 college acceptances.
The NAC provides highly qualified staff, academic assistance and tutoring, social services, cultural enrichment programs, college access and support services, and need-based scholarship opportunities for students. A total of 2,066 NAC graduates have received over $101 million in scholarships and grants.
"The NAC graduates represent the ?American Dream' ? you can start from nothing and achieve great things. 96 percent of NAC scholars are Hispanic/Latino, with 94 percent of them being of first in their extended family to attend college. Our NAC graduates have graduated from elite universities and returned to their communities to become leaders and contributors. The NAC scholars are changing their family trajectories, enriching their community, and making the world a better place. I am honored to play a small part to give motivated students from underserved communities the same academics, support, and funds that are normally reserved for the rich and privileged students," said Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III, the cofounder and principal benefactor of the NAC.
The NAC is generously funded by the Henry T. Nicholas III Education Foundation and was founded by Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III and Retired Superior Court Judge Jack Mandel on Oct. 10, 2007. Since its inception, Dr. Nicholas has donated $45.7 million to support the three NAC locations in downtown Santa Ana, Valley High School, and Century High School.
NAC Highlights:
- 100% high school graduation rate (national average 87%)
- 91% of NAC graduates who enrolled in four-year universities have graduated or remain enrolled (national average retention rate of 82%)
"Dr. Nicholas has enabled a generation of under-resourced students the opportunity to achieve and build themselves into the leaders sorely needed by our communities. We are already seeing the impact of what our alumni have accomplished back home in Santa Ana. It is really amazing to witness the transformation," said Rosa Elena Diaz, director of the NAC who helped build the centers since its inception.
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