Tec welcomes 12th class of its full scholarship program

“I’m a Tec student now!” they shouted during a ceremony at the Conference Center on Monterrey campus, where the official welcome was held for the 200 students who make up the twelfth class of Leaders of Tomorrow (LDM).

This flagship program at Tecnológico de Monterrey attracts students with academic excellence, social leadership, and a commitment to transforming reality and covers 100% of their tuition during their university studies. 

Ricardo Saldívar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group, officially welcomed this new class, reminding students of their commitment to leadership that transcends.

“Being a Leader of Tomorrow means that we see in you not only academic talent, dedication, and commitment, but also a way of thinking about the world that motivates you to transform it.

“It means that you’ve worked on innovative projects for your community (...) and although we call you Leaders of Tomorrow, it means that we see leadership in you today that is already outstanding and that gives us hope.”

LThe 12th class of this initiative is here 

According to Pablo Ayala, Director of LDM and Social Impact, a total of more than 950 students and 1,375 graduates make up this program, making a total of 2,365 members in the Tec ecosystem.

After receiving 31,000 applications for the class of 2025, the new members of the LDM family are 200 young people, comprising 102 women (1,150 women in total) and 98 men (1,176 men in total).

This class also includes three students from other parts of Latin America, namely, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Previous classes have included young people from Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.

“Many of you have proposed projects for inclusion, environmental improvement, equity, and demands that today require the attention of the brightest minds and most willing hearts,” said the director.

Likewise, despite them coming from different parts of the country and the Latin American region, Ayala highlighted some of the aspects these Leaders of Tomorrow share not only with each but the platform itself.

“The 200 young people who make up this class, as well as the social innovation projects they’ve launched, are a source of hope. 

“Leaders of Tomorrow is a platform that allows us to promote young people with academic excellence, but above all, those who have the characteristics of social leaders,” Ayala said.

Class sponsor shares his five tips for happiness

During the welcoming ceremony, Tec graduate Ismael Rodríguez Durán, CEO of Grupo Roga and Tec de Monterrey board member, agreed to serve as the sponsor for the twelfth class of LDM.

“Today, we’re not just welcoming a new class of students to the Leaders of Tomorrow program. We’re also celebrating the beginning of a commitment to oneself, to others, and to the country. 

“Dear students, being part of this program isn’t a privilege. It’s a distinction that recognizes your talent, your effort, your history, and your potential to transform realities over the coming years.”

During his speech, the sponsor of this class shared with these young people his “formula for happiness” and his advice based on five key pillars proposed by positive psychology:

- Positive emotions

While not referring to superficial happiness, the sponsor spoke about managing complex emotions in the face of uncertainty, recommending “not letting the day end without pausing to feel and be grateful for something.”

- Engagement

At this point, he talked about the “positive” sense of wasting time doing something they are passionate about. He told them to “choose with your hearts, devote yourselves, and discover what resonates with you, letting yourselves be carried away by it.”

- Relationships

“No one arrives alone (...) Cultivate relationships such as friendships that support you, mentors who motivate you, etc. Don’t just build networks, build bonds.”

- Meaning

Considering this the most powerful axis and pillar of the formula, the Tec graduate asked them: “What story do I want to build with my life?” emphasizing that “meaning isn’t found; it’s built. Seek your reason for being.”

- Achievement

He mentioned that this means not only achieving goals for the ego, but also for the soul, indicating that it is essential to learn from mistakes and failed attempts. 

“Don’t measure success by what you achieve, but by who you become in the process.” To this end, the sponsor recommended they meditate, enjoy the here and now, and take care of themselves both physically and mentally.

“This formula isn’t a magic recipe. It’s a compass, and I deeply believe that if each of us strives to cultivate these five elements in our lives, we can become not only happier, but also more compassionate and better leaders.

“Walk with pride, but also with humility. You’re not only tomorrow’s leaders; you’re leaders today.”

Key testimonials on the program’s impact

Likewise, Tec graduate Mariana Delgado, a graduate of Leaders of Tomorrow and current CEO of RCPráctica, returned to share her experience with the program’s new class. 

Her testimonial reminded new students that ideas born in the classroom can be transformed into projects that transcend the academic space.

“I was sitting where you are now, excited and unable to imagine that one day those classes would change my life,” she said, recounting how, during her studies, an assignment became the starting point for her social enterprise.

The task was to create something new, and Mariana identified an urgent need: she didn’t know what to do if someone had a heart attack, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. 

That’s how her RCPráctica project was born, which, in her words, “started as an assignment and ended up becoming a mission to save lives.”

“We’ve trained more than five thousand people in different sectors, indigenous communities, and rural schools. One day, I received the news that someone had saved a life thanks to that training. It was all worth it,” the LDM proudly shared.

“This was all made possible thanks to my classes at the Tec, the Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship, inspiring professors, the graduate community that supported me, and my family, to whom I owe everything,” she said.

Finally, she reminded them that true transformation begins with personal conviction.

“Anything is possible if you have a dream, the courage to pursue it, the discipline to work for it, and you surround yourself with the right people. What you’re doing not only changes your lives (...)

“You’re going to have a unique experience. Take advantage of it and commit to leaving a better world behind. Don’t be overwhelmed. Think globally and act locally so your projects will be more meaningful.”

Twelve years of talent committed to the community

Leaders of Tomorrow is the Tec’s full scholarship program that contributes to the education of young people with extraordinary talent and academic excellence who seek to transform reality. 

According to David Garza, Executive President of the Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group, this initiative began with the purpose of attracting the talent and leadership of young people so that they could emerge as transformative leaders.

“We gather here to welcome this new class of Leaders of Tomorrow, an initiative that began more than a decade ago under the leadership of José Antonio Fernández and Salvador Alba,” he reminded the audience.

With around 14,000 donors having joined the initiative, the executive also highlighted the legacy of the late rector David Noel Rodríguez Padilla, whose scholarship fund was officially launched at this event.

“Now that you’re at the Tec, live by the values of this institution (...) That’s what we expect from you because you have all the abilities to do so. Keep your ambition and resilience alive throughout the challenges of your lives.

“Great projects start with simple ideas (...) What they start may seem small, but everyone at the Tec is excited about how big their projects may become,” said the executive president.

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