Bridging Dreams and Opportunities: How Tony Aguilera and the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation Are Paving the Way for Latino Students

The Performance Parakone podcast recently welcomed back Tony Aguilera, the President of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF), to discuss the foundation’s impact, the importance of mentorship, and the future of career pathways for Latino students. Tony’s journey is one of resilience, opportunity, and giving back to the community that shaped him. His insights highlight the power of education, the importance of leadership, and how organizations like BSF are creating lasting change for first-generation students.

 

The Barrientos Scholarship Foundation: A Legacy of Support

BSF has been a cornerstone for Latino students in Nebraska, offering financial aid and career development opportunities. Initially created to provide scholarships, the foundation has evolved into a comprehensive support system, ensuring students succeed beyond just receiving funds.

Tony has played a key role in expanding the foundation’s reach and services. Under his leadership, BSF has grown from simply awarding scholarships to developing mentorship programs, student success initiatives, and career pathways. The organization now provides guidance on financial literacy, job readiness, and long-term professional growth.

 

A Personal Journey of Growth and Giving Back

Tony’s story resonates deeply with many first-generation students. Raised in a hardworking Latino household, he was the first in his family to attend college. Like many students today, he faced challenges navigating higher education without a roadmap. Initially enrolling at Creighton University, he later transferred to UNO, where he found a path that aligned better with his interests.

His experience in the workforce, particularly at UPS, shaped his leadership approach. Working for the company for 37 years, he moved up the ranks but eventually realized that a college degree was a requirement for promotion. This realization led him to complete his degree at Bellevue University, reinforcing the idea that education plays a crucial role in career advancement.

Tony’s journey from a student trying to figure out his path to a community leader mentoring the next generation is a testament to the power of perseverance and support systems like BSF.

 

The Power of Mentorship and Student Success

One of the most critical aspects of BSF’s evolution has been its focus on mentorship. Tony emphasizes that students don’t just need financial assistance—they need guidance, role models, and connections to help them succeed.

BSF’s Student Success Skills Program was created to bridge this gap. The initiative provides:

Career mentorship – Connecting students with professionals in their fields of interest.
Financial literacy education – Teaching students how to manage their money effectively.
Internship opportunities – Helping students gain real-world experience in their desired careers.
Personal development training – Encouraging leadership and confidence-building.

Tony and his team have worked hard to establish a triangle of support: students, parents, and partners. By involving parents in the scholarship award ceremonies and fostering relationships with local businesses, BSF ensures that students feel supported at every stage of their journey.

 

Breaking Barriers for First-Generation Students

The conversation also touched on the unique struggles first-generation students face. Many Latino families emphasize traditional career paths like medicine, law, and engineering, often overlooking other viable options. Tony’s experience highlights the need to expand these expectations and introduce students to alternative career paths, including skilled trades, STEM fields, and entrepreneurship.

BSF has worked to diversify opportunities for students, partnering with organizations like JE Dunn Construction to provide insight into careers beyond the typical four-year degree route. By expanding students’ awareness of trade programs, internships, and business ownership, BSF is creating pathways that align with real workforce demands.

 

Building a Stronger Future: Where BSF is Headed

As BSF continues to grow, Tony envisions it becoming a recognized, state-supported system that serves as a bridge between education and career success. His vision for the next 20 years includes:

Expanding scholarship funds to support even more students.
Strengthening relationships with state and local education departments to create lasting partnerships.
Developing more career pathways that align with the growing needs of Nebraska’s workforce.
Increasing support for Latino entrepreneurship to empower future business leaders.

This year, BSF is offering 16 different scholarships, with a streamlined application process designed to make it easier for students to apply. Tony encourages applicants to prepare ahead of time, gather necessary documents, and seek guidance from counselors or mentors to maximize their chances of receiving financial aid.

 

Final Words of Advice for Students

As the episode wrapped up, Tony shared some key takeaways for students:

Find a mentor – Having someone guide you can make all the difference.
Step outside your comfort zone – Explore different career paths and opportunities.
Take advantage of internships – Gaining real-world experience is invaluable.
Believe in yourself – Your background and story are strengths, not limitations.

For parents and community partners, his message was simple: Support, encourage, and believe in the potential of Latino students. With the right resources and a strong network, these students can achieve incredible things.

 

Apply for the Barrientos Scholarship Today!

Applications are open from March 1st – March 31st
Visit BarientosScholarship.org to apply

If you’re a student, parent, or business interested in getting involved, BSF offers multiple ways to contribute, from mentorship to sponsorship opportunities.

This episode of Performance Parakone showcased how education, mentorship, and community support can transform lives. With leaders like Tony Aguilera paving the way, the future for Latino students in Nebraska is brighter than ever.

 

This blog post is based on a transcript from the Performance Parakone podcast episode released on March 5^th 2025.

Brought to you by Performance Parakone, derived from the definition of Paragon: “A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.” Presented by the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation, our podcast’s mission is to inform young adults, especially those from marginalized communities, of stories and methods that will improve their professional development, bridging the gap between academic achievement and real-world success through access to information from community leaders.

Edited by Grace Dunbar