Teresa Merchan and Adrianna Maria Suarez Named Inaugural Recipients of Bilingual/Multilingual Student Scholarship

Teresa Merchan, a doctoral student earning her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development with a concentration in counseling and counselor education, and Adrianna Maria Suarez, an undergraduate elementary education major, are the inaugural recipients of the Bilingual/Multilingual Student Scholarship. 

Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Educational Equity Maria Coady established the annual scholarship, which is awarded to students in the College of Education who use bilingualism or multilingualism to advance equity in education. Coady said she was impressed by how Merchan and Suarez leverage their linguistic repertoire to serve others. 

“These two inaugural award recipients demonstrate the power of languages and multilingualism to create more humanizing, supportive, caring and equitable schools and communities,” said Coady, who selected the scholarship recipients. “They will undoubtedly continue to make those contributions and connections to students in their careers.”

Suarez, who plans to become an elementary school teacher, describes receiving the scholarship as an uplifting experience that will allow her to make a positive difference. 

“It means the world to me,” said Suarez. “It allows me to feel seen in my efforts, and I feel more involved and included than ever before in NC State’s College of Education. With this, I am able to see the fruits of my effort, as well as the genuine care that is held within the College of Education for the future of our schools.”

Her goal, when she has a classroom of her own, she says, is to create a welcoming environment that fosters healthy growth, especially for students with language barriers.

“I understand how these non-English-speakers are outnumbered in this culture, and my goal is to make them feel seen,” Suarez said. “Showing them that others care to be in their arena, fighting to understand their language, allows them a moment to be empowered and encouraged.”

Merchan, who immigrated to the United States from Ecuador, said she knows firsthand what it can be like to face challenges due to the limited resources and, as a bilingual mental health counselor, has worked with her Spanish-speaking clients to ensure they are aware of the services available to them and to advocate for their needs. 

In earning her doctoral degree, Merchan hopes to continue to advance equity in education and to act as a mentor to non-English-speaking students, so they are able attain their goals and aspirations.

“Receiving this scholarship creates a sense of pride as I reflect on the journey that has brought me to my current pursuits and my ability to support and serve my community,” Merchan said. “Having access to this scholarship helps me, as a student from an immigrant background, feel seen and valued.”

This post was originally published in College of Education News.