The odds were not in my favor to achieve my dream of earning a college degree. As an undocumented student growing up in a low-income household in Arizona, I faced significant challenges. When I graduated high school, Proposition 300 had just been implemented, barring undocumented students like me from receiving state financial aid and requiring us to pay out-of-state tuition. This meant I lost scholarships I had already been awarded, but I was determined to continue my education.
With the support of dedicated teachers, mentors, and financial assistance from the American Dream Fund and other scholarships, I beat the odds and attended Arizona State University. There, I met other undocumented students who, like me, believed education could transform our lives. Together, we began advocating for policy changes and legislation that would ensure greater access to education for all students, regardless of immigration status.
In May 2011, I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism and spent more than a decade working for various local and national media outlets. Most of my journalism career was spent as a radio news reporter for KTAR News 92.3 FM in Phoenix, where through my reporting I told impactful stories and highlighted critical issues affecting our listeners. My work earned several honors, including an Edward R. Murrow Award for Hard News in 2022. I also received the Arizona Broadcasters Association’s Newcomer Award in 2019.
After more than a decade in journalism, I joined Helios Education Foundation, where I now serve as director of communications for Arizona. In this role, I have the privilege of sharing Helios' story and its commitment to helping all students succeed in college and realize their full potential. Working for Helios is especially meaningful to me – not only because I believe in its mission, but also because the Foundation played a pivotal role in my own education story.
The American Dream Fund came at a critical time in my life when so many doors were closing simply because of my undocumented status. It gave me the opportunity to pursue and achieve my dream of attending and graduating from Arizona State University – an experience that transformed my life. Along the way, it also connected me with other undocumented students who shared my aspirations, and together, we built a special bond that continues to inspire and motivate me.