Camile Pahwa Scholarship Fund

In memory of Camile Pahwa, DMA has established and endowed the Camile Pahwa Scholarship Fund which will provide training and education scholarships for children living at any of the affordable housing communities owned by DMA and its affiliates.

Camile Pahwa

portrait image of camile pahwa

Camile joined DMA in September 2001, following her graduation from the University of Texas with a Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning, to direct a “capacity building” program for our nonprofit clients. She quickly became the firm’s guru on the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, taking on the project management of several affordable housing developments.  In October 2005, she was promoted to Vice President where she continued to serve as a project manager but also became a mentor to DMA’s younger staff.  With her intelligence and her patience, Camile was DMA’s best “teacher” – able to take complicated financing concepts and break them into understandable components. Camile was diagnosed with lymphoma in March 2008 and fought a valiant battle against this cancer for two years – all the time, continuing her work with DMA and providing inspiration for us all.   On April 18, 2010, at the age of 34, Camile – surrounded by family and friends – lost this battle. There will never be another Camile – her “can do” attitude, her problem-solving ability, her winning smile – all combined to make her a superstar.  Our love for Camile and desire to honor her contributions to affordable housing have led us to establish this scholarship program that will allow young people to achieve their dreams.  The scholarships will be available on a competitive basis for summer educational programs, trade schools, and higher education.  To qualify, one must be a resident of one of our apartment communities and be between the ages of 12 and 18 or an adult resident enrolled in a continuing education program.

DMA Gives Back

Andrea Bravo de Rueda (2023 Continuing Education Winner)

As a student of Austin Community College, Andrea thrives in the creative atmospheres.

Kamila Turabi (2023 Continuing Education Winner)

As a student of Texas State University, Kamila is specializing in Economics in Business Administration.

Juan “August” Ballinger, Joseph Douglas, Jessiey Maria Douglas (2023 Camp Scholarship Winners)

August (11) and Joseph and Jessiey (9-twins) were awarded the 2023 Camp scholarship and attended Ashley’s Playhouse where they were able to explore their creative sides while reinforcing lessons they learn throughout the school year.

Continuing Education Scholarship Awards

When we started this scholarship program, we saw it as benefitting the youth at our DMA properties.

Journee Spear (2021 Winner)

Journee Spear a fourth grader at Sugar Mill Elementary School.

Leandra Gandara (2020 Winner)

Leandra Gandara is a resident at Westview Ranch in Pearsall, TX.

Melissa Selinas (2020 Winner)

As a 2-time recipient of a scholarship, Melissa Selinas recently received her Associates of Science degree from Coastal Bend College in Beeville, TX.

Jorgann Holgersen (2020 Winner)

This is the second year in a row where Jorgann Holgersen has been awarded for her scholastic ambitions.

Jorgann Holgersen (2019 Winner)

Jorgann Holgersen currently attends Texas Tech University with an ultimate goal of becoming a trauma surgeon.

Myat May (2019 Winner)

Myat May attends the University of Texas at Austin for their MS in Finance program.

Jaide Williams (2018 Winner)

Jaide is a 2nd grade student that will be attending Summer Enrichment Camp in Houston.

Raven Bronson (2018 Winner)

Raven will receive a minimum of $1000 to attend Prairie View A&M University seeking a degree in nursing.

Melissa Salinas (2018 Winner)

Melissa will receive a minimum of $1000 to continue her education at Coastal Bend College in Beeville.

Cordette Stevens (2018 Winner)

Cordette received an award of up to $500 to attend DeVry University to obtain her bachelor's in Business Management.

Asia Crooke (2018 Winner)

Asia will receive an award of up to $500 to attend Houston Community College's Medical Assistant program in the Fall 2018.

Analyssa M. Gonzales (2017 Winner)

Analyssa was chosen to receive a minimum of $1000 to attend Texas A&M in Kingsville to pursue a degree in Biomedical Science.

Catherine Turner (2017 Winner)

Catherine will receive a minimum of $1000 to attend Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

Arsenia “Zenni” El-Assad (2017 Winner)

Arsenia is an active retiree who received $275 to take foreign language classes at Austin Community College.

Rina Pokhrelbhandari (2017 Winner)

Rina is a 2016 scholarship recipient, and was chosen to receive $700 to attend Trinity Community College in Athens with plans to attend University of Texas Tyler's nursing program in January 2018.

Jean Crawford (2017 Winner)

Jean is well-known "local" retiree who received $275 to take computer classes at the AGE of Central Texas Computer Lab.

Elijah Miner (2017 Winner)

Elijah Miner, received a grant to attend 6 weeks of summer camp offered through the city of Mesquite.

Rina Devi Pokhrelbhandari (2016 Winner)

Rina DeviPokhrelbhandari, was selected to receive a $600 scholarship to continue her education at Trinity Valley Community College.

Bryana Gandara (2016 Winner)

Bryana Gandara, now a three-time Camile Pahwa Scholarship recipient, received $1,000 to attend Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi as a pre-nursing student.

Nikita J. Jeffery (2014 Winner)

Nikita J. Jeffery, is a single mother with four children who was selected to receive a $500 scholarship to return to school (specifically, Savannah Technical College).

Bryana Gandara (2014 Winner)

Bryana Gandara, a 2014 Pearsall High School graduate, received $1,000 to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Kayla Carroll (2014 Winner)

Kayla Carroll, a 2014 graduate of Gonzales High School, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Victoria College.

Lisa Rogers (2013 Winner)

Lisa Rogers a resident of The Bluestone, a 76 unit community in Mabank, Texas received a 2013 $350 Camile Pahwa Scholarship.

Magdabeatrice Cerna (2013 Winner)

Magdabeatrice Cerna a resident of Westview Ranch, a 72 unit community in Pearsall, Texas received a 2013 $750 Camile Pahwa Scholarship.

Yadira Uyoa (2013 Winner)

Yadira Uyoa a resident of Grove Park Terrace, a 60 unit community in Waxahachie, Texas received a 2013 $750 Camile Pahwa Scholarship.

Continuing Education Award Winners (2012 Winners)

Winners of our continuing education scholarship program.

Sophia Liserio (2012 Winner)

Sophia Liserio, a 2012 graduate of Mathis High School, was a unanimous selection to receive a 2012 $1,000 Camile Pahwa scholarship.

Gabrielle Alcala (2012 Winner)

Gabrielle Alcala, Luling High School Class of 2012, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue her college education at Stephen F Austin University in Nacogdoches.

Andrew Slape (2011 Winner)

On July 21, 2011, Diana McIver presented Andrew Slape with a $1,000 scholarship, the first scholarship award from DMA's Camile Pahwa Scholarship fund.

Paulette Palmer (2011 Winner)

On August 4, 2011, Paulette Palmer became the second resident of a DMA property to receive a scholarship from DMA's Camile Pahwa Scholarship fund.