Part 2 - Warren Shelby: Paying it Forward
January 31th, 2025
Written by: Melissa Rohlfs
Rather than feeling bitter about his difficult upbringing, Warren Shelby channels his experiences into guiding today’s students. He credits the financial support he received from the SMCCC Foundation, particularly the Big Smile Scholarship, which he was awarded during the Fall 2018-Spring 2019 academic year. This scholarship, created in memory of the donor’s uncle, was designed to support low-income students—something Warren deeply resonated with. "That scholarship didn’t just ease my financial burden; it reaffirmed that people believed in me and my journey."
He is providing that same vote of confidence in his role as a Retention Specialist for the Promise Scholars Program (PSP) at the College of San Mateo (CSM). He helps students stay on track by ensuring they meet academic and participation requirements, such as attending monthly counseling sessions, maintaining a 2.0 GPA, and completing 67% of their coursework. Modeled after the successful ASAP program at City University of New York (CUNY), PSP provides essential support to first-generation students, those experiencing homelessness, wards of the state, and formerly incarcerated individuals—ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed.
Building on his commitment to supporting students, Warren also co-founded Brothers Empowering Brothers (BEB), one of nine learning communities across all three colleges. Learning communities offer students the opportunity to engage with other students who share similar lived experiences and identities, making the college experience less intimidating. BEB is dedicated to empowering men of color through mentorship, community building, and academic counseling. Through workshops, faculty mentorship, and transfer assistance, BEB and PSP have significantly improved student success rates, helping students achieve their educational and career goals. One such student is Favian Rivera, who is studying Economics and plans to transfer to UC Berkeley. He credits BEB and Warren’s mentorship for providing him with the support and resources to persist through challenges, including housing and food insecurity. Despite these hardships, he went from academic probation to earning a 3.10 GPA. Receiving the University Pathway Scholarship, which provides $3,000 per year for three years, will be instrumental in helping him achieve his academic goals.
A Commitment to Social Justice: The George Floyd Scholarship
Warren’s dedication to student success aligns closely with the mission of the George Floyd Scholarship, established in 2021 by Dr. Michal Foriest Settles. This scholarship was created to honor the cause of peace, social justice, and humanity by supporting CSM students who demonstrate a commitment to equity and social change.
“This annual scholarship is devoted to the cause of peace, social justice, and humanity. George Floyd could have been considered an ordinary man, but ‘he changed the world.’ May his killing not be in vain but inspire others to call out social injustices and create a more humane world with empathy for those who have no voice.” – Dr. Michal Foriest Settles
Since its inception, the George Floyd Scholarship has provided six CSM students with $4,500 in financial support, helping them continue their education and advocate for social justice in their communities.
By supporting initiatives like BEB, PSP, and the George Floyd Scholarship, the SMCCC Foundation ensures that students from marginalized backgrounds have the resources they need to thrive.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Michal Foriest Settles and the George Floyd Scholarship
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Your support can help create more stories like Warren’s. By contributing to the George Floyd Scholarship, or one of the hundreds other Foundation scholarships, you can help students achieve their dreams.
Together, we can transform lives and build a brighter future.
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