Banner Image

Dolores Huerta and Cesar E. Chavez Scholarship

Remembering a Legacy of Civil Rights and Liberty

The Dolores Huerta and César E. Chávez Scholarship has funded student scholarship opportunities since 2014, providing thousands of dollars of support to students pursuing college education. Each year, the Moreno Valley community is invited to celebrate unity, education, and equality, and to recognize scholarship recipients at a community event.

A Message from the MVC President

Dear Moreno Valley College Community,

Thank you for your continued support of our students and for your shared commitment to Moreno Valley College’s mission of providing equitable access, meaningful support, and opportunities for success across our region.

In light of recent, serious allegations involving César E. Chávez and the impact they have had on our community, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Dolores Huerta and César E. Chávez Scholarship Ceremony. We recognize that the concerns and emotions expressed are real, and we are committed to leading with care, integrity, and responsibility for the well-being of our entire community.

Please know that this decision does not diminish our commitment to honoring the enduring values of service, justice, and advocacy for working people that have shaped this event over the years. La lucha sigue, the struggle continues, and so does our responsibility to uplift and support our students.

We are proud to share that the seven student scholarship recipients will still be awarded and recognized for their outstanding achievements at a later time this spring. In addition, we remain committed to honoring our distinguished community partner, Dr. Esperanza Arce, Chief Academic Officer of Moreno Valley Unified School District. Plans are underway to recognize her contributions at a future event, with details to be shared soon.

We understand this decision may bring disappointment, and we appreciate your understanding as we navigate this moment with intention and care. Our focus remains on supporting our students, honoring our partners, and continuing the important work that defines Moreno Valley College.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our shared values.

With gratitude for our community,

Rudy J. Besikof, Ed.D.
President
Moreno Valley College

Rewarding Academic Pursuit

Each year, enrolled students are invited to create visual and creative works of art that explore and expand on the year's theme in innovative ways.

Learn More and Apply

Annual Art Competition

Submissions are reviewed by a panel of judges for quality, originality and adherence to the theme. All submitted artwork is featured at the scholarship award ceremony. Applicants must fully complete the online submission form, including a digital copy/photograph of their work and delivering any physical art pieces on the designated day.

This year's scholarship application window has ended.

Accepted Art and Media

  • Accepted media: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital art, poem/spoken word recording, and video
  • Three-dimensional submissions should be no larger than 36" wide x 36" high x 36" deep
  • Recorded and video submissions should have a running time of no more than 3 minutes

Event History

  • 2025: La Lucha Sigue — The Fight Continues
  • 2024: Raise Your Voice, Change the World
  • 2023: Lado a Lado — Side by Side
  • 2022: ¡Con ellas, sí se puede! — "With women, it is possible!"
  • 2021: ¡Viva la causa! "We are suffering. We have suffered. And we are not afraid to suffer in order to win our cause."
  • 2020: ¡Viva la Causa! Long Live the Cause!
  • 2019: A Legacy of Inspiration: “We are ready to give up everything—even our lives—in our struggles for justice.”
  • 2018: Nuestro Quinto Sol — "You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore."
  • 2017: César E. Chávez: A Voice for Justice
  • 2016: Cesar E. Chavez and his Struggle for Justice
  • 2015: Celebrating César E. Chávez and His Legacy of Service
  • 2023: Jesús M. Holguín
  • 2022: Dolores Huerta
  • 2021: Assemblymember Jose Medina
  • 2020: N/A
  • 2019: Ana Maria Espinoza
  • 2018: Mily Trevino-Sauceda
MVC graduates

Ready to become a Mountain Lion?