Dean’s Future Scholars Prepares the Next Generation of College-Bound Students

August 13, 2025 By Noticiero Movil

After a long spring semester full of papers and exams, students from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) prepare to go back to their hometowns, visit family, or plan a trip for the summer.

But once college students make their way out, a new younger group comes in.

The students of the Dean’s Future Scholars program take over the William J. Raggio building making it livelier than you would expect. Kids from grades six to 12 are laughing as they go up and down the stairs to their summer classes or while outside playing games of 9 Square or Gaga.

*Mariluz Garcia, in orange in the center, stands with former Nevada State Senator Heidi Gansert before dozens of Dean’s Future Scholars students and staff. Photo courtesy of DFS*

For 25 years, Dean’s Future Scholars (DFS) has powerfully transformed the futures of hundreds of students across Washoe County in Nevada. The program originally targeted low-income students pursuing careers in education, but over time, the program has since evolved into a comprehensive academic support system to uplift first-generation college students and youth from under-resourced backgrounds.

DFS offers a long-term mentorship model that begins in middle school and extends through high school and college. Students are typically recommended by counselors in the sixth grade and are selected from Title 1 junior high schools throughout the district, including Clayton, Desert Skies, Dilworth, O’Brien, Pine, Sparks, Traner, and Vaughn Middle Schools.

The program targets students who qualify for free and reduced lunch and are often the first in their families to consider college. With 93% of its participants being first-generation students and 89% students of color, DFS reflects the diverse communities it serves. And the impact is measurable. In 2020, the DFS high school graduation rate soared to 96%, compared to just 71% among low-income students across the district.

*DFS summer students let off steam between classes playing 9 Square outside of the Raggio Building at UNR. Photo courtesy of DFS*

More than just numbers, DFS is about relationships. Students are mentored by college students who not only tutor and guide them academically but also serve as role models. The summer program includes field trips for seventh and 8th graders intentionally designed to “hook” students early by helping them feel comfortable on a college campus and excited about their future. They can go to Wild Island (a local water park), Roller Kingdom (a local roller skating rink), Reno Ice (a skating rink), and a nearby park called Dick Taylor Memorial Park. They also have tours around campus where students get to explore the different athletic fields offered at UNR and maybe even find a new passion.

“It is easy to build relationships with the students because they’re here for so many years,” said Manuel Ortiz, the assistant director of the Dean Future Scholars Program. “We get to watch them grow.”

After the first two summers, the program begins to push students to take DFS’ free summer classes. These classes can help students get ahead and graduate early. When students graduate high school, they are given the opportunity to get into the Youth College Internship program (YCI).

YCI, which takes place at UNR just like the DFS summer programs, prepares high school graduates for college through courses like EDU 111 taught by DFS mentors. They learn about resources on campus, scholarships, and how to tackle the different difficulties college will bring. After this class, students get to pick a new college class to take for the rest of the summer. While all of this is happening, each student must complete a hundred hours at a paid internship offered by DFS that, usually, relates to the field they want to major in. This helps students know how to balance between work and school. To get in, students submit a resume, a letter of recommendation, and go through an interview.

Students who took part in YCI said it was “worth it” and “a life changing experience.” Other said it, “I highly recommend it” and it “gave me an insight of what college was going to look like.”

*Outside of the William J. Raggio building at the University of Nevada, Reno the students participants of the Dean’s Future Scholars sit in a circle to listen to a staff member. Photo courtesy of DFS*

Monse Ramirez, a mentor for middle and high schoolers talked about how it was having her job. She explained how it was a bit challenging trying to balance her personal life with DFS. She mentioned how its more difficult in the summer having to find time to visit her students and trying to find time throughout her class schedule since its different from her high school and middle school ones.

Despite its success, DFS operates without direct government funding. As a nonprofit, it relies on donations and support from programs like Gear Up, which helps cover mentor expenses. Because of limited funding, the summer program can only accept 70 students each year. However, DFS still provides support to those who didn’t get into DFS by offering help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, scholarship guidance and tutoring to other students in the district.

students seated in classroom — Dean’s Future Scholars students are chosen in the sixth grade and spend summer in junior high taking classes at the University of Nevada, Reno to prepare them for high school and the rigors of college. Photo courtesy of DFS

What makes DFS especially unique is its unwavering commitment to students, regardless of setbacks. Even if a student drops out of school or struggles with behavioral issues, DFS remains a constant presence in their lives. Even if students do something horribly wrong, their only punishment is getting sent home for the summer.

“Once you’re in, you’re never out,” “And often, those tough decisions strengthen the relationship,” he added. said Ortiz.

To ensure students are fed during the summer, DFS leverages United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines that treat the program as an educational extension, allowing access to meals typically provided in school since it is a school running in the summer.

*Manny Ortiz is the assistant director of the Dean’s Future Scholar program. Photo courtesy of DFS*

Ortiz shared what the program means to him. “DFS is a family to me. It was a family I needed to get through college.”

Sheila, a brand new student said, “DFS brings out [ the real] you … Everyone there is so nice and welcoming. DFS is a really good experience.” A 13-year-old student commented that “coming here in the summer has been a life changing experience, I learned how to talk to others and grow out of my comfort zone.”

Dean’s Future Scholars is not just a program; it is a promise. A promise that no student will have to navigate their path to higher education alone. It is clear that DFS is doing more than preparing students for college. It is creating a support system that many never had. And for many students, that kind of support makes all the difference.

This article was written by incoming first-year University of Nevada, Reno student, Dean’s Future Scholar and Noticiero Móvil 2025 summer intern Eveny Martínez. Additional reporting by DFS and NM 2025 summer intern Isabella Lopez.