Gayle R. Zoffer Graduate Tuition Grant

Alumna Gayle Zoffer and Migdalia Loyola met at the Humphrey School's annual fellowship breakfast in October 2010

Migdalia Loyola originally came to Minnesota from Puerto Rico to study at Macalester College. She “fell in love with this ‘small town.’” Eighteen years later, she is still here, helping to change people’s lives

As project manager at the Center for Prevention of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Loyola oversees  the implementation community projects to eliminate health inequities, increase healthy food access and strengthen Minnesota’s food systems.

Two years ago, she decided to enroll in the Humphrey School’s mid-career Master of Public Affairs program to enhance her skills and ability to make an even greater impact on policies related to women’s human rights.

Her plan was made possible by a Gayle R. Zoffer Graduate Tuition Grant, created by alumna Gayle Zoffer to provide tuition assistance to graduate students studying public policy issues related to women.

“I have worked and volunteered in nonprofits that advance the status of women, promote community health, and address social justice,” says Loyola. “I have planned my education at the Humphrey School to encompass these three distinct areas of interest and life experience into a succinct learning program that will allow me to transition my career from the local level to a national or international sphere. The theme of Zoffer family gift fits perfectly with my aspirations upon graduation.

“Being able to afford my last semester in graduate school was only possible because of this scholarship,” she continues.  “In a family where all of us are in school, and my partner’s hours were cut at work, receiving this scholarship was a welcome relief.”