University of the Ozarks junior Nathaly Herrera has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Robbie Lyle Scholarship, named after a long-time educator in Arkansas and a staunch advocate for human rights.
The scholarship is awarded annually through the Arkansas Association of Student Assistance Programs (AASAP). It was presented at the AASAP conference Oct. 6-8 in Hot Springs , Ark. Herrera is pictured receiving the award from AASAP President Pam Freer.
Herrera, an elementary education major from Clarksville, is a part of the TRIO program at U of O. She is the first in her family to graduate high school.
“My next goal is to be the first in my family to graduate from college,” Herrera said in her acceptance speech for the scholarship. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My parents didn’t speak English and couldn’t help my younger brother with his homework. As the eldest child and only family member who could speak English, I began to tutor my brother. I found that I had a passion for teaching, and I would get a thrill every time I saw his eyes light up when he understood and learned something new.
Herrera said her goal is to become a fourth-grade teacher.
“I am a first-generation immigrant student from a low-income family, which makes my dream of getting a degree and becoming a teacher a bit harder, yet it only makes me more dedicated,” she said. “I study hard to pursue my dreams so I can achieve what I want. Not only am I a full-time student, but I also work part-time as a lead sales associate at Dollar General. This scholarship will have a positive impact on me and my family.”
She said she is driven by “curiosity and desire to explore the unknown.”
“My educational goals are not just focused on acquiring knowledge within the classroom, but also on gaining experiences that can enhance my understanding of the world around me,” she said. “Recently, I have had the privilege of participating in TRIO’s trip to Branson, Missouri, a place I had never imagined I would visit. This experience exposed me to new cultures and perspectives, fostering a greater sense of global awareness that I am eager to build upon in college. Moreover, TRIO encouraged me to explore my creative side through painting. This artistic endeavor was not just a means of expression but also a lesson in patience and attention to detail, skills that are invaluable in any academic discipline. College can really shape my future by providing me with valuable knowledge, skills, and opportunities. It can also open the door to new experiences and lead me to the exciting career I have been dreaming about. Thank you Trio and AASAP for the Robbie L. Lyle scholarship.”
Lyle, who lived most of her adult life in Jonesboro, was a public school teacher and higher education administrator and instructor for nearly 40 years. She began her career at Granite Mountain Elementary School in Little Rock, then served as an administrator at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. She was the assistant dean of University College and the executive director of TRiO Programs, which included both Student Support Services and Classic Upward Bound at Arkansas State University, until she retired in 1992. She served as the president of the state (AASAP), regional (Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs – SWASAP), and National TRiO organizations while directing programs at Philander Smith College and ASU.
The TRIO programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are administered, funded, and implemented by the United States Department of Education. The Student Support Services project at U of O is 100 percent funded by the U.S. Department of Education, with an annual budget of $332,864.
AASAP is a non-profit organization with the purpose of advancing and defending the ideal equal educational opportunities for all TRiO-eligible individuals to encourage them to persist in achieving their educational goals.
Topics: Scholarship, Student Stories