DEKALB, IL — After spending his freshman year commuting nearly two hours each day to class, Carlos Rojas soon will be able to call NIU home.
Rojas was recently presented with a $25,000 scholarship as part of Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures™ program, recognizing his academic achievements, leadership and commitment to service. The award is one of just 13 given nationwide this year.
For Rojas, an 18-year-old first-generation college student studying psychology with an interest in counseling and mental health awareness, the scholarship offers more than financial support. It will allow him to fully embrace the college experience and pursue his goals.
Carlos Rojas has worked at Chick-fil-A for about two years, never expecting to win the scholarship. Photo courtesy of Chick-fil-A, Inc.
He hopes to break down stigmas and increase understanding around mental health.
“I would like to help people understand why mental health is worthy,” said Rojas, who also serves as a member of NIU’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). “It’s not always taken seriously, even though it affects so many people.”
His long-term goal is to become a therapist, helping individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety and depression.
“It’s a broad field, but I want to help people overcome their struggles,” he said.
A family milestone
Carlos Rojas chose NIU for its psychology program, after being encouraged by his older brother, David, also a student at NIU. Originally from Colombia, the family moved to Schaumburg about five years ago. Their parents did not attend college.
Carlos was encouraged to attend NIU by his brother, David. They describe their educational journey as a team effort.
“Since I came here, that’s something I was looking forward to,” Carlos said. “It’s important to follow your dreams even though the pathway might be hard sometimes. Those hardships just get you ready for the future. It’s important to keep going on, never giving up.”
The brothers described their journey as a shared effort. Although David is a few years older, they both started high school and college at NIU as freshmen together. Both took as many Advanced Placement classes in high school as possible.
This past year, they shared a car to commute to NIU, and both intend to move to DeKalb this fall.
“When we came to the U.S., that was like our dream, so we just tried and worked hard and got good grades. That led us to this opportunity. We’ve been like a team to get to where we are,” said David, a 21-year-old studying accounting and finance.
“I’m thankful that my brother has this opportunity. I’m very proud of him. He’s very hardworking and disciplined.”
A surprise that changed everything
Rojas has worked at Chick-fil-A for about two years, averaging around 10 hours a week during the school year while increasing his hours during breaks. He credits the job with helping him develop responsibility and interpersonal skills.
Carlos said the Chick-fil-A scholarship application process included essays about his career goals, community involvement and academic achievements. While he previously received a smaller award from the program, he never expected to be selected for the top honor.
When Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy arrived at the restaurant under the pretense of filming a routine video, Rojas grew nervous but still had no idea what was coming.
After a brief interview, the surprise was revealed.
“I felt so happy,” he said. “My family was there, my friends, everyone was cheering. It meant so much. My dad told me he was so surprised he almost cried. He was so proud of me.”
Beyond work, Carlos stayed active in high school through sports such as soccer, swimming, gymnastics and competitive cheer, helping his team reach the state level, as well as clubs. He also volunteered through his church, working with children, including those with special needs.
“That helped me see the world differently,” he said. “Everyone learns in different ways.”
With plans to attend graduate school, Rojas sees the scholarship as a turning point — not just for himself, but for his family’s future.
“I want to build a better future for the next generation,” he said.
Media Contact: Jami Kunzer
About NIU
Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university, with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields, including the sciences, humanities, arts, business, engineering, education, health and law. The Wall Street Journal and CollegeNET recognize NIU as a leading institution for social mobility, or helping its students climb the socioeconomic ladder. Through its main campus in DeKalb, Illinois, and education centers for students and working professionals in Chicago, Naperville and Rockford, NIU offers more than 100 areas of study while serving a diverse and international student body.
