Ivory Scholar

Constructing a better life for his family - and the future

Leonel Inciarte wanted to make his family proud of him. At the age of 45, Inciarte made the decision to go back to school and start his educational journey at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC).

Inciarte was born in the Republic of Columbia and moved to the United States in 2016 with his family. Together with his wife and children, they soon found their new home in Heber City, Utah. Working in the construction trades most of his life, he knew he wanted to do better and learn more about construction management. But working full time and raising a family left very little time and money to attend college. However, Inciarte was determined to go to school and applied to the Ivory Scholars program.

“I was so excited when I learned I had been chosen to receive the Ivory Scholars Award,” said Inciarte. “It has helped me be able to study and go to school. I wouldn’t be able to go to school if it wasn’t for this scholarship."

The Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation established the Ivory Scholars Program at SLCC. The goal of this program is to directly impact an individual’s capacity to advance economically through education, affordable housing, sustainable communities and by providing support for the underserved. The award supports a student as they earn an Associate of Science degree, Associate of Applied Science degree or a Certificate of Achievement in the construction trades from the Salt Lake Technical College and the School of Technical and Professional Specialties at SLCC.

Since becoming an Ivory Scholar, Inciarte feels he has a responsibility to show donors that helping students like him achieve their dreams is worth it. He also wants to be a good example to his six children: Abigail, 32; Leomar, 30; Emanuel, 15; Jose, 12; and twins Mariana and Luciana, 5. “As a parent, I can show my children that hard work and dedication are well rewarded,” said Inciarte. “To me, happiness is the satisfaction knowing your children are looking at you as a hero."

Inciarte earned an Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management and Sustainable Building along with a Certificate of Achievement in Sustainable Building Construction in 2021. He is continuing to earn an associate’s degree in construction management. Inciarte’s goal is to work in the field of residential construction. “I look forward to working with Ivory Homes and building houses that will be part of a family’s history,” said Inciarte.

“It has been an honor to have received the Ivory Scholars Program,” said Inciarte. “The scholarship has motivated me to be excellent in everything I do, and for that, I am very grateful.”