Super User
Senderos a la Ciencia Program
Pathways to Science: Building the next generation of Health and STEM professionals.
The Pathways to Science Role Model and Mentoring Project led by Hispanic Access Foundation, will conduct public outreach to communities in Orlando, Florida, featuring engaging talks by health science researchers and offering follow-up near-peer mentoring to interested high school students.
This project is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)- Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA). NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. The SEPA program supports educational activities that encourage pre-college students (pre-kindergarten to grade 12) from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
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Project GoalsHispanic Access aims to:
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Project ComponentsThe program aims to:
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It’s Time to Expand National Monuments in California
President Biden, it’s Time to Designate National Monuments in California!
We’re calling on President Biden to continue protecting public lands as national monuments in California after the recent expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument near Los Angeles and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California. Let's ensure more access to nature for Latino communities and protect Tribal lands, important sources of water, and wildlife habitat within California.
Chuckwalla National Monument
WHAT IS IT
The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, stretching from the Coachella Valley in the west to the Colorado River in the east, would protect approximately 627,000 acres, ensuring more equitable access to nature for residents in the Eastern Coachella Valley and Blythe.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument includes many places enjoyed for outdoor recreation activities, including Painted Canyon and Box Canyon in the Mecca Hills area, Corn Springs campground, and the Bradshaw Trail. We can protect these places for current and future generations to experience and enjoy.
Sáttítla National Monument
WHAT IS IT
FFurther north, nestled in the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Modoc National Forests is an area known as Sáttítla in the Medicine Lake Highlands. This landscape is home to a rich legacy of Indigenous culture and sacred to the Pit River, Modoc, Shasta, Karuk, and Wintu Tribes. Sáttítla is a spiritual center for the Pit River and Modoc Tribes, who continue to use the area for religious activities, ceremonies, and gatherings.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
Home to volcanically formed underground aquifers, these lands and waters have sustained Indigenous peoples for thousands of years and benefit millions of people who live downstream in California. Sáttítla could rightfully be called the headwaters of the state for its role in providing pure water to millions of residents, to wildlife, as well as serving agricultural needs downstream.
Kw’tsán National Monument
WHAT IS IT
The proposed Kw’tsán National Monument encompasses more than 390,000 acres of lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Imperial County. The proposed national monument is part of a greater cultural landscape, connecting ancestral homelands and Avi Kwa Lal in southern California just west of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe’s Reservation, Palo Verde Peak in the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, and Spirit Mountain in Nevada’s Avi Kwa Ame National Monument.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
These lands contain incredible cultural, ecological, recreational, scenic, and historic values that the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe is asking be preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Expansion
WHAT IS IT
On June 26, 2023 Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Judy Chu called on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to add 109,000 acres of public lands to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians, and numerous cities, local elected officials, and residents have also urged the President to protect these public lands. On May 2, President Biden expanded the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument designation to include 109,000 additional acres of public land.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
The San Gabriel Mountains provide one-third of the drinking water and more than 70% of the open space in the Los Angeles region, an area with over 18 million residents - of whom Latinos make up the largest ethnic group. This expansion helps increase equitable access to nature and improve public health, conserve a critical drinking water source, address the climate and biodiversity crises, and honor the cultural and historical significance of the landscape.
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion (Molok Luyuk)
WHAT IS IT
Last year, Senator Alex Padilla, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, Representatives John Garamendi and Mike Thompson, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation called on President Biden to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument using the Antiquities Act. On May 2, President Biden expanded the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to add 13,753 acres of public lands.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
The expansion helps safeguard lands that are sacred to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and preserves important wildlife corridors and the area’s distinct biodiversity. A key goal of this effort is also to establish co-management with federally recognized Tribes and to return to an Indigenous name for these lands - Molok Luyuk. Molok Luyuk is Patwin for “Condor Ridge” and is a name provided by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Expanding the monument also helps ensure access to nature for the region’s significant number of Latino residents. Already, this area is beloved for outdoor activities and local organizations report full attendance for organized birdwatching and wildflower tours.
Glenda Gonzalez
Glenda works with the Hispanic Access Foundation as the Forestry Program Manager. A dedicated environmentalist, Glenda has spent her career working nationally and internationally in protecting our natural resources while championing community-led solutions. She has several years of experience in grant-making serving as a Grants Officer at the Rotary Foundation and the Global FoodBanking Network. Her early years include working in a community-based conservation effort in Kwale, Kenya and serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia and Panama. She received her B.A. in International Relations and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
“I've dedicated my career to missions that connect with my deep sense of purpose and commitment to environmental and community-focused well-being. I work for the Hispanic Access Foundation because they provide an outlet for this passion while elevating and supporting the Latino community.”
In her spare time…
“I love to take long runs along the Chicago Lakefront Trail and take photos of the sunrise.”
Her favorite book…
“ I enjoy reading all genres of books so it is hard to pick just one! I recently read The Book of Hope by Douglas Abrams and loved Jane Goodall's wisdom and vision for the future.”
A person she finds inspirational…
“Both of my parents. They inspire me to keep growing and encourage me to always be myself.”
Evelyn Miguel
Evelyn Miguel is a first-generation Cuban American from Miami, FL. She has over 5 years of experience as an administrative professional, a photojournalist, and social media manager.
Upon graduation in May 2024, she will hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s Studies and a minor in Mass Communications from the University of Florida.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
"I work for Hispanic Access because their core values align with mine and I want to help empower and uplift the Latino community in any way I can."
In her spare time…
"In my spare time I like to practice my photography, go on walks, listen to music, and read.”
Her favorite book…
“My favorite book is Song for Olivia by Maruchi Mendez.”
A person she finds inspirational…
“My parents. They have accomplished so much since coming to the U.S., making many sacrifices to ensure my siblings and I had a fulfilling life.”
Sharon Zavala
Sharon comes with eight years of significant grant management and community development experience working with federal, state, and local organizations both nationally and abroad, in different roles. She also has a proven track record of establishing and maintaining productive collaborations among multiple, diverse stakeholders with the sole purpose of driving impact. Her community development experience stems from helping low-income and historically underserved communities provide solutions to the array of challenges they face. From providing one-on-one domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy services for Spanish-speaking survivors to coordinating and conducting legal screenings of detained unaccompanied minors.
Before joining Hispanic Access Foundation, she administered the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Subrecipient Program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which involved evaluating subrecipient applications, analyzing program performance benchmarks, writing agreements, and monitoring 16 agency projects. She is an AmeriCorps Alumni having served in migrant farmworker communities for two terms in South Florida. She was an intern at Instituto Nacional Contra la Discriminación y Racismo in Argentina and an intern at Via Organica in Mexico.
She holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration with a focus on Global Policy from Northwestern University and two Bachelor's degrees in Environmental Science and Spanish Literature from Allegheny College.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
"The values of Hispanic Access Foundation align closely with my own on promoting equity, empowerment, and advocacy for Hispanic individuals and communities related to the diverse range of initiatives and commitment, in particular, issues of environmental conservation and climate action, all while helping serve a community."
In her spare time…
“I enjoy spending time outdoors as much as possible. I also like to stay informed about global affairs, regularly reading the news to stay up-to-date, but above all, I cherish quality time with my loved ones. Now, when I have a big chunk of spare time, I very much enjoy traveling--exploring new places, gaining new perspectives by experiencing different cultures. I’m currently dedicating some time to learning French!”
Her favorite book…
“Too many good ones to choose from, but I will say one of my favorites is: La mujer que buceó dentro del corazón del mundo, by Sabina Berman. I was lucky enough to dissect this book for my honors thesis in undergrad. This is a Spanish fiction piece that explores the story of an autistic woman named Karen Nieto who develops a deep connection with the environment and marine life. This is one of my favorites as it truly highlights the importance of our relationship with nature and the connection between humans and the environment.”
A person she finds inspirational…
“My mom is an incredible inspiration to me, embodying selflessness, love, strength, and resilience as she left her motherland with my dad and has worked tirelessly, making numerous sacrifices, to support our family.”
Laura Wood
Laura Wood is serving as a Grants Assistant Navigator for Hispanic Access Foundation from Fort Worth, Texas. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Management degree and is an MBA candidate for December 2025. She has a professional background in sales, fundraising, marketing, and project management spanning 20 years. After 11 years in corporate sales, she joined the non-profit world professionally with The Nature Conservancy of Texas serving as Associate Director of Philanthropy for four and half years. In 2009 she took over her family’s foundation named in honor of her grandmother Dorothy Marcille Wood, a lifelong West Texas rancher who made a big impact on her and her love for the land. In this capacity Laura consulted with numerous public and private agencies as an extension arm for board management, strategic planning, event planning, fundraising and marketing. In her targeted efforts working with endangered species management, 1 million acres were conserved across West Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Since then, Laura has facilitated over 20 million dollars through grant writing, capital campaigns and endowment growth.
As a volunteer, she served as the youngest President of Lena Pope Home, Inc, in its 80 year history, Secretary and Fundraising Chair for the Texas Land Trust Council, and is currently Membership Chair for the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
"I work for Hispanic Access because I am passionate about empowering those impacted the most to receive the abundant resources available to combat climate change. Hispanic Access is a team of professional, accessible, brilliant individuals who care and know how to get the money to those who need it most."
In her spare time…
“In my spare time I mostly cook, travel every chance I can, and play cards."
Her favorite book…
“If I had to pick a favorite it would be Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés' Women Who Run with the Wolves. It opened up the storyteller in me and set me on a life-long quest to be authentic and remain wild."
A person she finds inspirational…
“I'm a tennis lover, and Billie Jean King's trailblazing for women in sports has been and will always remain an inspiration for me to do hard things.”
Marilyn Saenz
Marilyn is a Los Angeles native and first-generation Mexican American with a ten-year residency in South Texas. Marilyn has over six years of experience in the nonprofit sector through socio-economic programs serving the Hispanic population, low-income BIPOC households and at-risk youth within the Central Texas Area. Marilyn has tackled community challenges alongside faith-based partnerships such as Catholic Charities, Haven for Hope and Communities in School of South Texas.
Prior to joining Hispanic Access, Marilyn served under the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services through their foster care program at Upbring. She managed federal, state and local compliance, empowering minority youth social services and ensuring adequate care from local stakeholders towards their holistic wellbeing.
She also currently serves as Co-founder of Saenz & Company, an agroforestry and sustainable asset management firm.
Marilyn earned a B.A. in Sociology with a focus on social global change and social inequality, and a B.A. in English, with International English Honors from St. Mary’s University at San Antonio.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
"As a Texan, the heat is no stranger! While witnessing its extreme heat and below average winter temperatures, my passion in the past couple of years has shifted to the underlying causes and efforts to net-zero, and therefore, the lack of resources many have encountered in the center of extreme weather, air quality and urban planning. When coming across Hispanic Access, I was called to their intersectional programs for upholding all operations in the value of engagement and benefit to Hispanic/BIPOC communities. I was excited to join an organization where I didn’t have to compromise between the two and create an impact within society and sustainability."
In her spare time…
“In my spare time I enjoy learning new healthy recipes, spending time with family and our cats, watching TV series and reading articles about sustainability or international politics.”
Her favorite book…
“I don’t necessarily have a favorite, but some that quickly come to mind are Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Dracula by Bram Stoker, Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and more recently everything from Joan Didion."
A person she finds inspirational…
“My brother. As children to immigrant parents, we saw the immense hardships they faced while creating the magic and laughter of our childhood with the little that we had. He has guided me to be the best version of myself, academically and professionally in honor of the sacrifices our parents have made. I am eternally grateful for my family’s love, support and encouragement!”
Manuel Guzman
Manuel was born and raised in Santiago, Dominican Republic, but now lives in the Bronx, NY. As a Salesforce developer Manuel brings all the tools necessary to automate, innovate and integrate solutions with Salesforce.
Ever since early childhood he has been passionate about technology, traveling and helping others. Moving to the United States of America following the American dream he embarked on B.S in Computer Science in CUNY graduating from Borough of Manhattan Community College(BMCC) and Lehman College. During this educational journey he discovered Salesforce; how powerful it is and decided to specialize in it by obtaining his Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification.
The passion, curiosity and the desire to help others have guided and propelled Manuel into this moment and position and he is happy being able to work with technology helping people fulfilling his purpose in life.
Why he works for Hispanic Access…
"I work for the Hispanic Access Foundation because from a very early age I wanted to be part of something bigger, something that left a positive impact in my immediate communities. Likewise my passion for technology was encouraged by my innate curiosity of how things work. The Hispanic Access Foundation provides me with the work environment and challenges that allows me to do all of the above and that's why we are a great fit."
In his spare time…
“In my spare time I am usually working on my goals for the week since I am a goal driven person. Some of these goals could be things like obtaining the ranger trailhead title by completing modules and earning more badges. Besides that I also like to relax and watch tv shows and play some games.”
His favorite book…
“Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes.”
A person he finds inspirational…
“I find Keanu Reeves a very inspirational person and I don't mean the characters he plays in movies. Keanu Reeves is a very stoic and resilient person that has gone through so many hardships but he still chooses kindness over anger. Aside from that he is a very humble person which is one of the key values that makes me interested in people.”
Abby Rea Hicks
Abby is a Grant Assistance Navigator with the Community Navigator Program. She is a first-generation Mexican American and a proud native Tejana. Abby strives to support immigrant communities to thrive while fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with concentrations in Agronomy/Sustainability and Intercultural Studies from Evangel University and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Abby is a strong believer that education can change the trajectory of a community. Abby draws on her academic foundation in environmental science and public affairs to advocate for environmental justice and empower immigrant communities.
Before joining the Hispanic Access Foundation, Abby served as the Grants and Strategic Planning Coordinator for a community college in southwest Missouri. In her role, she addressed essential student needs and contributed to regional workforce development. Abby has a diverse background in fundraising and non-profit work and currently serves as Political Science adjunct faculty.
Abby remains a staunch advocate for positive change, leveraging her skills to bridge gaps and create opportunities for underserved communities. Through her work, she continues to be a driving force in the pursuit of a more just and inclusive society.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
"I work for Hispanic Access because I believe in its mission of empowering and creating opportunities for the Latinx community. Throughout my upbringing, mentors played crucial roles in advocating for me as I pursued an education and had the privilege of living abroad. Joining Hispanic Access allows me to contribute to uplifting Latinx communities across the United States. I am dedicated to bringing other Latinx individuals to the table with me where they can thrive and, in turn, empower their own local communities."
In her spare time…
“In my spare time I enjoy building Lego’s. I am what you would call an AFOL (adult fan of Legos), reading, working with ceramics, playing cozy games on my switch, being involved in the community and spending time with my husband, dogs, and extended families.”
Her favorite book…
“One of my favorite places is the public library where I have found many of my favorite books! A recent fiction favorite is Gods of Jade and Shadow, a few nonfiction favorites are Born a Crime and the Monk of Mokha.”
A person she finds inspirational…
“Many people have been a source of inspiration throughout my life's journey. My parents and in-laws have been some of the most impactful in my life. They embody strength, empathy, kindness and love with fierceness. I consider myself privileged to know them and have them in my life.”
Priscila Rodriguez
Prior to joining Hispanic Access, Priscila worked as an Engagement Manager for a local non-profit that aimed to empower low-income communities. Her role involved leading graphic design projects and promoting the importance of financial capability, particularly within the BIPOC community.
Her passion for art and design, combined with her background in communication, has equipped me with a range of skills including website management, social media, press releases, graphic design, marketing, and more. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to further develop her skills and contribute to this incredible team!
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
"I grew up low-income and watched my family struggle mentally, emotionally, and financially. I knew that they didn’t have adequate resources to thrive in their community, which has given me a strong desire to be part of an organization that's focused on helping families and communities like mine."
In her spare time…
“In my spare time, I love to paint, play video games, and indulge in a variety of movies! I also enjoy reading and spending time with my 6 animals!”
Her favorite book…
“My current favorite book is The Whisper Man by Alex North. It’s a suspenseful thriller and it’s quite the read.”
A person she finds inspirational…
“The person I find inspirational is my one and only older sister, Dana. She is an incredible human being, and she has done so much in her career. She inspires me to be a better person and always reminds me to embrace who I am.”