Jaynelle

Jaynelle works with our student and educators support teams by supporting curriculum or facilitation for our programming. She also support our hiring processes as a committee member.

Jaynelle is a proud, brown, Mexican immigrant, daughter, sister and friend. Jaynelle first heard of ScholarshipsA-Z when she was a sophomore in high school. After traveling with the team in the summer of 2016 to United We Dream’s Congress in Houston, TX, she knew this organization was going to be vital in her life. 

Jaynelle has volunteered with ScholarshipsA-Z (SA-Z) since 2016. During her time with SA-Z, she has been a program coordinator, enabling her to co-lead hiring searches and help the organization restructure. She has created and presented curriculum for programs like the Immigrant Scholarship Hustle and given training to high school and university professionals about how to work with and for undocumented students both at annual Educators Conferences and individual school sites, amongst many other things. Jaynelle feels most proud to co-coordinate the SA-Z Educators Committee, working closely with ally educators from various institutions in Tucson. 

Besides ScholarshipsA-Z, Jaynelle is a full time student who just completed two years of undergraduate studies at Pima Community College, earning her Associates degree this May. Since then, she has transferred to the University of Southern California where she is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching progressive degree. In her free time, Jaynelle likes to hang out with family and friends, rewatch the Hamilton musical and catch up on social media.

Jaynelle believes higher education should be a right for all students regardless of their immigration status. Until this is true, she will keep asking questions to include and advocate for the undocumented community.

Learn more about Jaynelle’s journey through our Mosaic Project