While at Arizona State University, I immersed myself in community organizing, driven by my passion for the intersection of education and immigration. I developed a deep understanding of how educational access and immigration status intersect, particularly for undocumented students. This passion propelled me to work at both the local and national levels to advocate for immigrant rights and equitable education policies.
After two years of working in advocacy, I decided to make a direct impact on students through teaching. With Teach For America, I became a high school teacher and pursued my Master's in Education. My classroom experiences and community organizing background inspired me to develop a unique curriculum tailored for DACA recipients. Initially piloted in the Phoenix region, this curriculum supported undocumented students and their families and has since been adopted nationwide.
Building on this momentum, I founded Aliento, an organization that transforms trauma into hope and action for undocumented students and mixed-immigration-status families. Under my leadership, Aliento has been globally recognized for its innovative education, mental health, and advocacy approach. I have been honored to receive accolades such as submitting an official testimonial to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. Senate, providing recommendations to the United Nations in adopting Aliento's model, and being named Forbes 30 under 30 social entrepreneur. These recognitions reflect my efforts and the resilience and strength of the communities I support.
On a broader scale, I co-led a non-partisan coalition alongside my colleague Jose Patiño, bringing together non-traditional alliances to fight for educational equity for all Arizona graduates, including Arizona Dreamers. This coalition has been crucial in advancing policy changes and fostering a more inclusive environment for all students.
My work is deeply rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, deserves access to quality education. Through local, national, and global initiatives, I remain committed to advocating for educational equity and immigrant rights, striving to create a world where every student has the opportunity to succeed and where humanity is recognized regardless of where they were born.
Receiving the American Dream Fund scholarship allowed me to become the first person in my family to graduate with a college degree. It allowed me to meet other students who were in similar circumstances and know I was not alone. It reminded me that if others were willing to invest in my education, they believed in my potential, and it was important for me to do my best and pay it forward.