Gear Up Wahluke

Elena Calderon
Hometown: Mattawa, Washington
High School: Wahluke High School
College: Eastern Washington University (undergrad and master's), University of Arizona (PhD in progress)
Year in College: 1st year of PhD program (4 year program)
Major: Bachelor of Science in Community Health, Master of Science in Communication Studies, PhD in Higher Education (Graduation 2025)
Occupation: Graduate Student, transfer student support specialist
Dream job: Professor, director of a multicultural program at a college, work with a scholarship foundation that serves students from minoritized backgrounds, higher education advocate
Elena’s Places: CIELO (Cultural and Inclusive Experiential Learning Opportunities)- through this program I was able to connect with the community in Tucson. They have a program called Feel Good Friday and I had the opportunity to help paint a mural within the community and also volunteer with a food bank. Transportation is provided for students. They also do larger programs during the year like 1-2 week programs in Puerto Rico or Hawai'i. My HED 696 course: Hispanic Serving Institutions and Funds of Knowledge. This class was a place where I found a community of friends. We worked with a community organization called Avenidas and we engaged in activities like community clean ups and sidewalk paint projects.
High School Places: Cheerleading, National Honor Society, Associated Student Body, Running Start (dual enrollment), worked part-time at a local gas station, track
First-generation student?: Yes
Reach out to Elena: LinkedIn  Facebook  Email: calderonsandoval@email.arizona.edu