SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 27, 2026) – Firstmark Credit Union is pleased to introduce, Esha Manandhar, recipient of the UT San Antonio Alumni Association Scholarship, made possible by Firstmark Credit Union’s generous support. Esha Manandhar is a first-year UT San Antonio student majoring in electrical engineering whose ambitions extend all the way to the moon.
As a second-generation immigrant originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, Manandhar has ambitious dreams of earning a doctorate and building a career focused on sustainability, advancing extraterrestrial habitation, and contributing to the future of lunar habitation. Her passion for engineering has already taken her far beyond the classroom through NASA High School Aerospace Scholars and Lunar Cave Analog Test Sites, where she helped write a NASA HAB launch proposal and delivered a Preliminary Design Review presentation to NASA professionals.
“Firstmark is proud to invest in students like Esha, who are helping to build a better future for San Antonio and beyond,” said President and CEO of Firstmark Credit Union, Wendy Cleveland. “As a locally grown credit union, we understand the importance of investing in young talent in our community so they can focus on pursuing their passions rather than stress about finances. This scholarship is just one more way we are helping people feel more confident about their finances.”
Firstmark established this scholarship through its official partnership with the UT San Antonio Alumni Association. The broader partnership supports UT San Antonio’s 210,000+ alumni nationwide (177,000+ in Texas) during major life milestones that alumni navigate after graduation, like buying a home, managing debt and financing a vehicle.
“Financially, my family faces significant challenges,” said Manandhar. “Thus, it’s up to me to cover my education costs. That is why receiving this scholarship was truly a blessing.”
Aside from academics, Manandhar is equally passionate about leadership and giving back. worked with STEM-focused nonprofits, SpaceTourist and PyGirls, to create educational resources that encourage young people, especially girls, to explore astronomy and computer science.
Firstmark Credit Union’s partnerships with UTSA Athletics and the UT San Antonio Alumni Association are community investment platforms built around three focus areas: local pride, promoting financial well-being and success, and celebrating first-generation students and scholars. Firstmark aims to increase access to a hometown credit union that puts community first. To learn more about this partnership and upcoming events, please visit firstmarkcu.org.
About Firstmark Credit Union:
Firstmark Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution established in 1932. Founded by a group of teachers almost 95 years ago, today, Firstmark has grown to over $1 billion in assets with almost 100,000 members. Firstmark’s member-first philosophy extends beyond banking, empowering financial success while investing in education, supporting educators, and strengthening the communities our members call home. The Firstmark Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, complements this commitment by making a tangible, positive impact in the education community through the collective support of its membership. For more information about Firstmark, please visit firstmarkcu.org.
