• W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship Recipient •

Bárbara Barroso-Pérez lives her life by a simple philosophy: every experience shapes you into the person you are meant to be. All of her experiences have prepared Barroso-Pérez to be successful in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree program at the University of Arkansas.

“With this degree I will have so many opportunities,” said Barroso-Pérez, a human resource clerk at a food manufacturing company. “Everyone has always seen great potential in me, and I know I have that potential, but I have been lacking confidence. After I complete my degree, I hope to have more confidence so that I can eagerly go after those opportunities and more.”

Barroso-Pérez learned as an online student how to manage her time, appreciate every moment of her life, and be thankful for her skills and talents, she said.

“Having the ability to study online gives me the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree,” Barroso-Pérez said. “Studying online means I have the capacity to focus on my studies on my own time.”

In addition to being a full-time worker and full-time student, Barroso-Pérez coordinates a national conference for a young adult leadership organization called Encuentros de Promoción Juvenil (Encounters of Youth Promotion) (EPJ). EPJ promotes personal and spiritual growth while helping young adults to acquire leadership skills. The goal is for all members to take on leadership roles within their home parishes and communities.

Barroso-Pérez is one of 23 people to receive the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for online U of A students for the 2020-2021 academic year. She plans to work in leadership training for a non-profit organization or a corporation. Long-term, she hopes to work in public affairs or human resources, working within corporate leadership as a trainer or in the diversity and inclusion field.

“The scholarship means opportunity,” Barroso-Pérez said. “It is my light at the end of the tunnel. Receiving this scholarship will take a huge burden away from me financially. I will be able to dedicate more time to my studies during my senior year.”