University News

Anonymous donor helps make UVA transfer students’ dreams come true

The University of Virginia was Mia Martinez’s dream school. But just getting through her courses at Piedmont Virginia Community College was a financial and personal struggle.

For two years, she worked full time at a toy store to cover the community college bill and then labored on her schoolwork until midnight. “It was a little hard on my morale,” she said. “I didn’t have a lot of time to socialize.”

She’d earned the grades to transfer to UVA, but two more years of higher expenses and a tougher course load seemed daunting. As she considered taking out loans, Martinez received life-changing news: She was named a Piedmont Scholar.

Leah Blue and Mia Martinez walk the corridors on Grounds at UVA

Leah Blue, left, chats with Martinez on Grounds. Blue helps community college students like Martinez with the application and transfer process. (Photo by Jeneene Chatowsky)

“I am just so excited,” she said. “Now that I’ve been accepted, they pay for two full years of tuition, and I’ll have more time to join clubs and more time to work on my homework.”

The Piedmont Scholars Program began in 2021 when an anonymous donor made a $5 million gift to help PVCC students like Martinez. The endowed fund covers full in-state tuition and fees for PVCC students transferring to UVA who have also been selected as recipients of the University Achievement Award. That award supports students from the commonwealth who demonstrate academic merit, leadership and outstanding citizenship.

Martinez began classes last month in the College of Arts & Sciences as a third-year transfer student.

Since its inception, the Piedmont Scholars program has provided funding for 46 students to attend the University. This week, UVA announced that the anonymous donor who funded the scholarships four years ago has just given $5 million more to the program.

“As a result of the generosity that created the Piedmont Scholars program, we have been able to cultivate and strengthen our relationship with PVCC and support students at both schools,” Brie Gertler, UVA’s interim executive vice president and provost, said. “This additional gift reflects a powerful belief in the success of the program, the potential of these scholars, and the value of this partnership.”

With a dollar-for-dollar match from the University via the Bicentennial Scholars Fund, the combined impact of these two gifts will result in an $18 million endowment for the Piedmont Scholars Program, in addition to outright support for the initiative.

“This extraordinary gift speaks to the transformative power of education and the incredible potential of our students,” Jean Runyon, president of Piedmont Virginia Community College, said. “We are deeply grateful to the donor and proud to continue our strong partnership with the University of Virginia to create life-changing opportunities.”

The initial $5 million gift included funding for a PVCC-UVA liaison to champion the partnership between both institutions and guide the approximately 90 students who transfer from PVCC to UVA each year, many of whom have attended local high schools.

A $500,000 portion of the current gift will continue to sustain that position, currently held by Leah Blue, director of community college partnerships, who splits her time between PVCC and UVA and serves as an adviser and advocate for students during the application and transfer process.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to walk alongside PVCC students throughout their journey – from their early days at community college, through their transition to UVA, and as they go on to flourish both at the University and beyond,” Blue said.

The gift also provided another benefit to transferring PVCC students: a cost-free summer bridge program to help the students get acclimated to UVA. The Summer Advancement Program, housed in the College of Arts & Sciences, helps transfer students adjust to the University’s academic and social environment before matriculating in the fall. Students take summer courses and develop relationships with faculty members. Tuition, books, fees and housing are covered by the University.

Martinez was enthusiastic about her experience on Grounds during the summer program, noting that she changed her major to global studies because of the class she took.

“The Piedmont Scholars program is definitely life-changing,” Martinez said. “I'm super excited for the community life at UVA. And I'm super excited to start taking classes in my major.”