September 18, 2025 

Five Years, Countless Futures: The Impact of the COUNTRY Financial® Scholars Program in Partnership with Heartland Community College

When Ariana Rider first joined Heartland’s College NOW program, she was a talented and determined high school student in Bloomington-Normal with big dreams and a love for mathematics. Just a few years later, now she’s on her way to earning an advanced degree at Texas State University—thanks in part to the support she found in a mentor who believed in her potential from the very beginning.

That mentor was José Manuel Pérez, Senior Internal Wholesaling Consultant.

“Ariana is an extraordinary student and young professional. We were paired together for two years and built a lasting friendship,” he said.

This fall marks the fifth year of the Scholars Program, a partnership between COUNTRY Financial and Heartland Community College that has helped dozens of McLean County students like Rider bridge the gap between high school and higher education. The program provides scholarships, mentorship, academic support, career development, laptops, internet access, and textbooks—all designed to give students the tools to holistically succeed in college and beyond.

“This program is one of the greatest examples of COUNTRY living our Vision,” said Jim Jacobs, CEO. “It demonstrates how we can make a real difference in the communities we serve by empowering students, supporting education, and creating opportunities for future leaders.”

Since its launch, over 50 students have benefited from the program, completing over 500 hours of college credit while still in high school, some having an associates degree by the time they graduate with their high school diploma. Yet behind every number is a story like Pérez and Rider’s—a story of mentorship, connection, and community.

A connection rooted in shared values

Pérez first joined the mentoring program in 2022. When he was paired with Rider, he quickly realized he had met someone extraordinary.

“She was an immediate inspiration for me,” Pérez said. “We formed an almost familial bond. We shared similar cultural upbringings and values—where family is sacred, responsibility comes early, and sacrifices made before us are something we honor by becoming the best versions of ourselves.”

Over time, he learned more about Rider’s passions. She’s more than an excellent student—she also played football in high school, loved Elvis’s music, and dared to dream about a future career with NASA.

From college essays to big dreams

During Rider’s senior year, she spent countless hours preparing applications for top universities and scholarships. Pérez and his wife worked side by side to review her essays.

“Her essays brought me to tears,” he said. “She shared boldly and bravely, and I grew to understand her more than I ever had before.”

When Rider was accepted into her university of choice, she asked how she could repay them.

“I asked Ari if she would promise to one day be a mentor for my four-year-old daughter—to let her look to her as a hero,” Pérez recalled. “She accepted right away.”

Family, community, and celebration

As Rider prepared to leave for Texas, Pérez joined her family for a farewell dinner. Meeting her mother, he said, revealed even more about the deep love and motivation behind her drive. Later, he was there at her Heartland Community College commencement ceremony, celebrating her Associate of Science degree and cheering her on as she prepared for the next chapter.

“All I could think was, ‘She’s got this, she’s in her element,’” Pérez said.

A scholar’s gratitude

For Rider, the program was also transformative.

“I learned more than I ever thought possible in such a short time,” she said. “It accelerated my academic journey, allowed me to enter Texas State University as a junior, and gave me financial support that made higher education attainable. The mentorship I received from José, continues to guide and inspire me.”

Building futures together

The COUNTRY Scholars Program in partnership with Heartland Community College has proven that mentorship changes lives—for students and for the mentors.

“It’s not about having all the answers,” added Pérez. “It’s about making a genuine connection, helping refine goals, and opening doors.”

For this pair, that connection has forged a bond that will endure long after college. For the Bloomington-Normal community, their story stands as a powerful reminder of what can happen when opportunity, support, and mentorship come together.

Hear more about the impact mentors like José Manuel Pérez have on these students by listening to Heartland Community College’s Random Acts of Knowledge podcast. 

Media contact

news@countryfinancial.com