I am from New Mexico. And that means something to me. It means that I believe in and rely on community. It means that I dream in Spanglish and love green chile. It means that I learned that I thrive in and problem solve using both/and thinking rather than either/or because that what being from the borderlands means in a lot of ways. Above all it means that the best way to honor the strong heritage of my ancestors is to be a strong leader to ensure that I work to make the world a better place for future generations.
I was the first in my family to go to college. I chose to attend the University of Northern Colorado to study Spanish and Hispanic Studies. I studied abroad in Mexico and was forever transformed. After I graduated college, I worked with college access programs focusing on low-income and first-generation students. Their stories inspired me to continue on with my education. I earned my M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University and I am now a doctoral student in the Higher Education Leadership program at CSU.
My work is grounded in my desire to constantly be learning and contributing. I worked for almost 15 years in college access. Now I work with international students as the Director of Student Experience at INTO CSU, focusing on setting students up for success. I am also a faculty member for the Social Justice Institute and a co-lead for the LeaderShape Institute. As a leadership, diversity, and social justice education consultant, I have the opportunity to work with and develop students, organizations, and colleges across the country. Working with infused allows me to continue to build a community of talented and committed leaders who have a shared vision of a better, more just world.