Karla Cruze-Silva
“You cannot use someone else’s fire. You can only use your own. And in order to do that, you must first be willing to believe in yourself that you have it.”
Karla Cruze-Silva
She/Her/Ella
Board Co-Chair
As a Chicana, educator, daughter of immigrants and wife to an immigrant, Karla’s passion and dedication to furthering the educational opportunities of immigrants has been a leading motivation for her involvement in ScholarshipsA-Z. Since 2018, Karla has been involved with ScholarshipsA-Z as an Immigrant Scholarships Hustle reviewer and member of the Educators Committee. Since 2020, Karla has served as a member of the Board of Directors.
Additionally, Karla currently serves as the Senior Manager for Student Success at the Thrive Center and is doctoral candidate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Arizona. As a first-generation college student, her passion for education comes from her own experiences navigating the educational system as a student and professional. Her passions within higher education include serving students who are historically underrepresented and underserved such as, first generation, high financial need, and students of color. She strongly believes in the mission of ScholarshipsA-Z and uses her privilege to stand as an accomplice in the fight towards justice. In her spare time, Karla enjoys spending time with her family including her partner, daughter, and pups. She loves to swim, hike, bake, and read.
Learn more about Karla’s journey through our Mosaic Project