SWOSU, Mexican Consulate Renew Scholarship Partnership for 2026

Consul Edurne Pineda (left) and Dr. Ed Klein, dean of the SWOSU College of Education & Behavioral Sciences, hold a ceremonial check representing the $4,500 awarded to SWOSU through the 2026 IME Becas program. The SWOSU Foundation will match the funding, bringing the total scholarship support to $9,000.

A renewed partnership between the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation and the Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City will provide $9,000 in scholarship support for students of Mexican origin in 2026. This year's funding brings the total scholarship support made available through the three-year partnership to $25,000. Nine SWOSU students will benefit from the latest award as they continue working toward their degrees.

The funding comes through the Government of Mexico's Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) Becas program, which helps students of Mexican heritage overcome financial barriers to higher education. The Mexican government provided $4,500 through the Consulate, and the SWOSU Foundation will match that amount. This year's combined support increased by $1,000 from 2025.

Dr. Tugba Sevin, SWOSU professor of Italian and Spanish and faculty sponsor for the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO), will launch the application process for the scholarships.

Dr. Ed Klein, dean of the SWOSU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, speaks during the 2026 IME Becas funding presentation July 28 at the Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City.

"Partnerships that support SWOSU students personally and help them reach their academic goals are exciting," said Dr. Ed Klein, dean of the SWOSU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. "I've seen the positive impact this partnership has on recipients and have seen them grow as leaders and strong ambassadors for SWOSU."

The Consulate held this year's funding presentation on July 28 in Oklahoma City. Klein represented SWOSU at the ceremony. Consul Edurne Pineda and Vice Consul Claudio Uribe represented the Mexican government and help coordinate the program.

The continued support from the Mexican government and the SWOSU Foundation allows the IME Becas funding to reach more students this year. The partnership helps students remain on track toward graduation while recognizing the cultural backgrounds and experiences they bring to the SWOSU community.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves more than 5,000 students and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu.