Dr. Trina M. Valdez is the State Education Liaison with the Department of Human Services (DHS). She is working as an advocate with the Utah Juvenile Court, State Board of Education and DHS to improve educational outcomes for youth in state care. She is committed to improving the educational experience for all Utah youth and their families. As a scholar and practitioner, she is developing a research, teaching and service philosophy aimed at addressing issues of access and equity in higher education. She is a two-time recipient of the Chicana/o Scholarship.

Giulia Soto is the Second Year Program Coordinator in the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs. As a University of Utah Alumna, she is thankful to have received the Chicano/a Scholarship throughout her education at the U. Giulia is a proud indigenous Peruvian immigrant, who enjoys cultivating her traditions from dancing Peruvian Folklore to eating Peruvian dishes. Passionate about providing equitable education in Latin America, her honors undergrad thesis and masters policy brief highlighted the educational inequities that occur there.

Laura Alvarez received the Chicana/o Scholarship her first year at the University of Utah in 2009. She also received a renewal scholarship and the Pete Suazo Corazón de la Raza award. Laura graduated from the University of Utah in 2014 with a B.S. in Marketing and a Minor in French. Laura is grateful for the generosity of the Chicana/o Scholarship Fund as well as for the mentorship and the opportunities that receiving the Chicana/o Scholarship provided for her. That is why she decided to become a board member soon after graduation. In her free time Laura enjoys traveling, learning new languages, trying new recipes, and exploring Utah’s rapidly changing foodie scene.

Margie served the Chicana/o Scholarship Fund from 1978 – 2011 in every capacity from Chair, selection committee, banquet committee, ticket sales, and PR. Her commitment to Chicana/o social justice drove her contribution to opportunities of higher education for young Chicana/os to obtain their dreams.