For Mary Avalos, the story behind the Courageous Corazón Foundation begins with a passport. Not just any passport, but her mother Rosario’s. The image has become part of the identity of the foundation Avalos created in 2019, a photograph of Rosario’s passport alongside a childhood image of Mary and her sister sitting on their mother’s lap.

It is a simple image, but for Avalos, it represents a much larger story: immigration, sacrifice, family, opportunity and the belief that education can change the course of generations. As the University of Nevada, Reno community celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Avalos is continuing that story by establishing an award for students at the University. Her gift is rooted in the example of a mother who understood the value of education even when her own educational opportunities were limited.

Rosario was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and left school after the second grade to help support her family. After coming to the United States, however, she continued learning. She attended classes to learn English, studied for her citizenship examination and ultimately became a U.S. citizen.

For Mary, watching her mother pursue education as an adult left a lasting impression.

“My mom always believed in education,” Avalos said. “She knew that education could open doors.”

That belief became central to Mary’s own life. The Avalos family’s journey was shaped by the sacrifices of immigrant parents who came to the United States seeking greater opportunities for their children. Mary watched her parents work, attend night classes and navigate a new country while building a future for their family.

She also watched her mother give to others. No matter how much or how little the family had, Rosario believed there was always something to share — a meal, encouragement, a helping hand or an opportunity.

That example eventually led Mary to ask how she could create opportunities for students who, like her family, might have the determination to succeed but face financial or other barriers along the way. In 2019, that question became the Courageous Corazón Foundation. The foundation began by providing scholarships for students pursuing higher education and career pathways. Its work has particularly focused on students whose circumstances may not always be reflected in traditional measures of achievement. 

The foundation has since expanded its reach, including scholarships for students at Truckee Meadows Community College and the University of Nevada, Reno. Avalos reported that her foundation had awarded more than $100,000 in funding support for students.

Now, Avalos is creating another opportunity for Wolf Pack students through the establishment of the Courageous Corazón award at the University. Four $2,500 awards will be given to students: two for undergraduate students and two for graduate students.

For Avalos, the award is about more than financial assistance. It is about telling students that their circumstances do not have to determine their destination, and that they must continue to lead with a courageous corazón (heart).

“It’s our immigrant story,” Avalos said. “We came to this country seeking opportunity. With hard work, resilience, gratitude and dedication, we can change our families’ financial situations for generations.”

Avalos poses with Raíces Brillantes, a mural painted by Edwin Martinez-Escobar located at the University of Nevada, Reno.

That idea is particularly meaningful during Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when the University and communities across the country recognize the history, contributions and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino communities. The University’s Hispanic Heritage Month observance highlights the diverse experiences and contributions of the Hispanic/Latinx community on campus, in the community and around the world. ⁠For Avalos, however, heritage is not simply something to celebrate. It is something to carry forward. Mary is using her story to help another generation take its next step.

Scholarships and monetary awards can provide students with immediate financial support, but Avalos sees their impact in broader terms. A student who receives an award has an opportunity to remain enrolled, complete a degree and enter a career. That achievement can affect a family, just as her mother’s sacrifices affected hers. The foundation’s own story reflects that philosophy: when one person succeeds, the impact can extend beyond a single student to families and future generations. For Avalos, honoring her mother does not mean simply looking backward. It means creating the kind of opportunity her mother hoped would be possible for her children. One generation’s courage is becoming another generation’s opportunity. And for Mary Avalos, that may be the most meaningful way to honor her mother’s legacy.