The Madison College Foundation is continuing the legacy of María del Rosario Covarrubias by administering the scholarship established in her honor and overseeing its annual award process.
The scholarship was created in 2018 by Covarrubias’ daughters, Cindy and Julie, to honor their mother’s commitment to education, perseverance and service. The announcement comes during Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latino communities.
Jessica Santillan, a Madison College student, is the 2026 recipient of the María del Rosario Covarrubias Scholarship. Santillan said the award will allow her to focus on earning her associate degree in finance without the added burden of paying for her education.
“I am honored to be the recipient of a scholarship that represents people like me and was founded by someone who is such an inspiration,” Santillan said in a statement. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to dream big and with ease.”
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Covarrubias immigrated to the United States with her husband, Ismael, and their young family. After settling in Madison, she learned English and enrolled in classes at Madison College after being encouraged by an educator at her children’s school.
Her educational journey continued with a GED, a bachelor’s degree from UW–Madison and a master’s degree from Edgewood College. She went on to spend more than 30 years serving Madison Metropolitan School District students and families as an educator and advocate, particularly supporting multilingual students.
“María’s story exemplifies the impact that determination, education and community support can have across generations,” said Bryan Woodhouse, CEO of the Madison College Foundation. “Today, her legacy lives on not only through the scholarship, but also through her children and the countless students and families whose lives she touched.”
