FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Office of Diversity and Community will benefit from two recent gifts that will enhance diversity efforts at the University of Arkansas. The Simmons First Foundation in Pine Bluff and Mario and Laura Ramirez of Highland Village, Texas, are contributing funding to support the creation of an Early Access Academy and an endowed scholarship award, respectively.

“I am always excited to see the passion and commitment that our alumni and donors have for creating greater access for current and future students,” said Charles Robinson, vice chancellor for diversity and community. “These are wonderful gifts that support our mission of becoming a more diverse and inclusive campus.”

Early Access Academy

The Early Access Academy will be established with a $75,000 gift from the Simmons First Foundation to increase initial exposure of college opportunities to junior high and high school students. The ultimate goal is to create a college pipeline program of year-round college readiness outreach and intensive summer learning opportunities, all taking place on the University of Arkansas campus.

A pilot summer program series will begin with a 50-student cohort of 7th and 8th graders from Pine Bluff-area junior high schools and follow their progress for three years. Throughout that period, students will be advised and mentored by college readiness and retention professionals, as well as current college students who represent the unique challenges that first-generation, low-income and underrepresented college students experience.

The pilot group’s academic performance and progress before, during and after the program will be evaluated, along with the evolution of their college expectations and goals and – ultimately – their enrollment in a college and their success.

“For some time, I have been impressed with what the University of Arkansas has done through its College Access Program,” said alumnus Tommy May, who is the chair and CEO of the Simmons First Foundation. “I believe the program is very successful, regardless of the student’s decision to continue their education. However, we believe there is an even greater opportunity by providing a modified program earlier, for grades seven through nine.

“We are hopeful the initiative will increase the number of students who will pursue post-high school education and ultimately increase the number of educated citizens in Arkansas. Time will tell, but we are excited about being a part of this new initiative. If successful, this can possibly expand to many other areas of Arkansas.”

May is a graduate of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and serves on the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee, the Arkansas Research Alliance Board of Trustees, the Arkansas Executive Forum and the Walton College Dean’s Executive Advisory Board. He is also a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association and has been recognized in the Towers of Old Main and as a Thoroughred for his consecutive years of giving.

In 2007, May received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Walton College and the Chancellor’s Medal. In 2008, he was recognized with the Citation of Distinguished Alumni, and in 2010, he was inducted in the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

Ramirez Endowed Award

The Mario and Laura Ramirez Endowed Award is being established with a $15,000 gift from the Texas couple, combined with a $10,000 match from TIAA-CREF, and will be used to provide financial assistance to students attending the university, particularly those who are first-generation and enrolled in the Walton College. Preference will be given to students graduating from Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas.

“We felt it was important to endow a gift that would support the dreams of an education for first-generation and underrepresented students,” said the couple. “The education they’ll receive will create opportunities that these students and their families could only imagine previously.”

Mario Ramirez, also a graduate of the Walton College, is the managing director for executive relations and Hispanic markets for TIAA-CREF. He is the chair of the diversity committee for Campaign Arkansas and a member of the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee. He also serves on the Walton College Dean’s Executive Advisory Board. Previously, he served seven years on the Arkansas Alumni Association board and led the Walton College Alumni Society. In 2007, Ramirez served as the commencement speaker for the Walton College and received the college’s Service Award in 2010 for his involvement and leadership with the Walton College Alumni Society. Like May, he is also a member of the Arkansas Executive Forum.

Laura Ramirez is a Fayetteville native, graduate of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in communication and an alumna of Pi Beta Phi. She works for Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, and serves as the parent-leader for the school’s dance team.

Laura and Mario met on the University of Arkansas campus as students. The couple serves as youth group leaders at their church and were co-chairs for the university’s Chancellor’s Society for fiscal years 2011 and 2012. They are also recognized as Thoroughreds for their consecutive years of giving.  

Their daughter, Maddie, will be continuing the family Razorback tradition as a freshman at the U of A this fall and will perform as a member of the Razorback Pom Squad.