Paola Chavez Arroyo

University of Colorado Boulder - 2022

Joining a mentorship program that uses an app as the platform to bridge disadvantaged students with similar mentors in their community

Project: My project is a mentorship program that uses an app as the platform to bridge disadvantaged students with similar mentors in their community, and give them the tools necessary to succeed in their journey to higher education.

Inspiration: My non-traditional path to college inspires my own urge to help other students like myself in their journey to higher education. My biggest mentor is my brother older by only one year who is pioneering the college experience himself as first-generation and quickly passing on his advice to me. We didn’t have a mentor with years of experience living out our career goals but we are resourceful. I was lucky to have a wonderful role model like my brother (Fernando, also Puksta scholar) and he is my inspiration for this project, because like him, I want to pass on the selfless guidance that he gave me and use this virtual platform to reach many many more.

Future Plans: We want to be part of the movement to increase diversity and close the gender gap in technology. This project aims to reach the underrepresented and give them the chance to create bonds with mentors so they persist in their career goals. Mentors play a significant part of one’s success. I hope to bridge connections between underrepresented students and mentors and give them the tools necessary to succeed. In the shoulder of giants we stand and as a community it is important to encourage and help each other, hopefully cultivating a more accepting and united culture.