Gina Ponce is a woman on a mission
...one student at a time.

That mission is to ensure that all students with the drive and desire to earn a degree get that opportunity through the South Omaha Outreach Scholarship Program at Bellevue University.

Gina knows taking that first step to earning a college degree isn't quite so easy. "I can relate a lot to these kids because I grew up just like they grew up."

Gina was the first person in her family to graduate from college, and today Gina has earned two degrees from Bellevue University. She also proudly tells everyone that her sister, who lives in New York, graduated from Bellevue University in June 2006.

With 200 students in the South Omaha Outreach program, Gina knows it IS possible. Already she has watched 45 students graduate from Bellevue University.

"The adrenaline I feel when they cross the stage is ten times higher than when I crossed it myself."

Recently Gina was featured on an Omaha television station in a segment called "Heartland Proud." But Gina doesn't do what she does for the publicity or notoriety. She does it for the students.