Jesus Segovia '24

The past year has not been easy for Jesus Segovia ’24 and his family.

The Saint John’s University senior’s father lost his job this past summer, leaving the ability to afford his final year of college in doubt. But thanks to the support donors to Saint John’s Student Fund scholarships provided, Jesus was back in Collegeville this September and will graduate in May with a degree in both global business leadership and Hispanic studies.

“When I first looked at my tuition bill for this year, I didn’t think I’d be able to make it work,” he said. “I reached out to the financial aid office to share my story and explain the circumstances.

“In August, I received another letter and the bill had gone down to where it was possible for me to afford it. When I saw the donor section on my Banner account, I couldn’t have been more thankful. It was overwhelming. The scholarship I was able to receive provided me with much-needed relief.

“It definitely showed me that God answers prayers,” he continued. “It wasn’t just financial aid for me. It was a lifeline.”

A Dallas native, Jesus is already paying it forward. He serves as a student coordinator for the First-Generation Organization at Saint John’s and the College of Saint Benedict, helping provide support, advice, guidance, and resources to other students on the two campuses.

“He has a lot on his plate, but he’s very driven,” said Malik Stewart, the director of Multicultural Student Services at CSB and SJU. “This is something that’s very important to him and he’s dedicated to it.”

He also served as an orientation leader for Collegebound, an annual, optional outdoor orientation program as part of a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for incoming students at CSB and SJU. And he frequently provides rides to students who need them to get around in St. Joseph and St. Cloud.

“I just feel like I’ve received so much help from so many people that this is the bare minimum I can do to give back,” said Segovia, who receives an Academic Achievement Scholarship, an Intercultural LEAD Scholarship, the Fr. Don Talafous Scholarship, the John and Margaret Wiehoff Scholarship, a Saints Scholarship and an Alumni Referral Scholarship.

“I want to make sure other people have access to the same resources that have benefitted me.”

While at SJU, Jesus has also been able to study abroad twice – in Spain during the spring of 2022 and in Chile the following fall.

“That’s something I never would have imagined I’d be able to do,” he said. “But everyone at Saint John’s – the faculty and staff – were so supportive in helping to make it happen.

“It really opened my eyes and allowed me to experience new cultures while at the same time getting to know my own self even better.”

Jesus hopes to find an accounting job in the Dallas area after graduation while perhaps also starting his own business. But he said none of that might have happened were it not for his time at SJU and the scholarships that have made the experience possible.

“I honestly don’t think I would have been able to thrive at a different university the way I have here,” he said. “The sense of community is so strong and the support I’ve received has been amazing.

“I’m so deeply thankful to the kindness and generosity the donors have shown.”