Meet the 2026 SOAR Scholars

Daphne is a third-year dual MD/MPH student at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health at Houston and McGovern Medical School, maintaining a 4.0 in her public health coursework. She has served as Medical Spanish Director for her school's Medical Spanish elective, and is currently the President of the Catholic Medical Student Association chapter and on the leadership board of the Gardening Club. Daphne volunteers at St. Dominic's Village organizing activities for retired residents and gathers medical histories for Spanish-speaking patients at Casa Maria, a free clinic serving Houston's underserved community. After residency, she plans to practice in medically underserved areas and partner with public health organizations to study and address chronic disease patterns in vulnerable populations.

Hellen is a third-year medical student at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine with a strong interest in urology. Originally from Zimbabwe, she has served in leadership across multiple student organizations and volunteers at UCLA's homeless clinic. Hellen founded the Goal Getter Foundation in Zimbabwe, a program that provides cooking and baking classes to young women, several of whom have used the training to launch their own businesses. She plans to match into urology and build a career combining clinical practice with research, with the goal of delivering the highest quality of care while expanding access in communities where specialty care is limited.

Taryn is a first-generation law student at Baylor Law School, building on an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from the University of Oklahoma. She has supported herself financially throughout undergraduate, graduate, and law school studies while maintaining a strong academic record at every level. An active member of the Baylor Business Law Society and the Baylor Public Interest Legal Society, Taryn has discovered a passion for civil litigation, trial strategy, and legal writing. She plans to build a career in civil litigation within public service law, using her legal education to represent community members who have historically lacked access to strong advocacy.

Peyton is a first-year law student at Texas A&M University School of Law, building on a 4.0 undergraduate record. Before law school, she served as a college access advisor with AmeriCorps at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, where she converted an old attendance office into a full college center and guided seniors through admissions, financial aid, and the unique challenges facing undocumented and first-generation students. She currently works at the University of North Texas as an academic advisor for the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, where she guides students from diverse backgrounds on their paths to securing a bachelor's degree. Peyton also volunteered with Brazos Interfaith Immigration Services (BIIN), providing fundraising support and ESL class assistance to the immigrant community of Bryan–College Station. She plans to practice estate planning, building accessible legal services for families who have historically lacked access to representation.

Miranda is a first-generation Mexican American student admitted to the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, building on a 4.0 GPA from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. A fluent Spanish speaker from South Texas, she has worked closely with families navigating the intersection of limited English proficiency and complex legal processes. Miranda plans to practice immigration and family law, offering bilingual legal representation to communities where language compounds institutional complexity. Her long-term goal is to transform systemic barriers into accessible legal pathways, particularly for families in the region that shaped her.

Chloe is a returning 2025 SOAR Scholar continuing her studies in the Physician Assistant master's program at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She brings two and a half years of direct patient-care experience as a medical assistant in a dermatology and Mohs surgery practice, where she contributed to both clinical operations and community outreach. Chloe plans to build a career as a certified physician assistant with a commitment to service: she aspires to establish a scholarship fund for future PA students, provide rural outreach care several times each month, and host no-cost clinic days that cover pathology and procedural fees for patients in need. Her long-term vision pairs clinical excellence with sustained community impact.

Teresa is a first-generation Physician Assistant student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), currently in the didactic phase of her training. Raised in a border community as the daughter of immigrants and the only English speaker in her household, she developed a strong ability to navigate complex systems independently and advocate effectively for her family. As a future bilingual clinician in the Rio Grande Valley, she is committed to delivering culturally competent, patient-centered care. She aspires to reduce persistent healthcare disparities in underserved communities through compassionate and linguistically accessible practice.

Elizabeth is a first-generation Biology major at Texas A&M International University with a 4.0 GPA, pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She entered college with more than 80 early college credits, accelerating directly into upper-level coursework in biochemistry, genetics, and organic chemistry. Elizabeth balances field sampling, undergraduate research, and tutoring shifts alongside her rigorous STEM curriculum. Inspired by shadowing pharmacists and seeing how clearly explained guidance can change outcomes for patients, Elizabeth plans to build a pharmacy career that integrates scientific rigor with patient-centered education, particularly for communities where language and cost create barriers to care.

Sharon is a first-generation Latina Engineering Graduate student at Texas Tech University. Navigating graduate education without a family roadmap, she has built her own network of mentors and leadership opportunities along the way. Sharon serves as a lead volunteer for FIFA World Cup operations in Dallas, coordinating teams and managing dynamic responsibilities on a global stage. She plans to return to the community that raised her by mentoring younger students through Women in STEM camps and advocating for equitable access to education. Her professional goal is to build a career in engineering while continuing to open doors for the next generation of Latina scholars.

Mariah is a returning 2025 SOAR Scholar and first-generation student at Louisiana State University, where she is pursuing a mathematics degree with a concentration in actuarial science. Classified as a junior after graduating high school with an associate degree, Mariah is on track to graduate early. As the eldest of six sisters, she has developed a natural instinct for leadership and mentorship. She organized and led a garden beautification project during LSU's Geaux Big Week, adapting on short notice when the team's original site fell through. Mariah plans to pursue graduate study, build a career as an actuary, and ultimately teach actuarial science at the university level while creating opportunities for young women in mathematics.

Allison is a first-generation undergraduate at Southern Methodist University, double majoring in Biology and Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Biomedical Anthropology. Her path to SMU has been nontraditional: after an early chapter of full-time work, she built a healthcare-administration career that advanced from medical secretary to executive assistant at a cancer research nonprofit before returning to finish her degree. Allison plans to apply to medical school or a physician assistant program, with a long-term goal of delivering compassionate, knowledgeable care to patients in low-income and underserved communities. Her experience bridging the administrative and clinical sides of healthcare informs her vision of patient-centered medicine.

Israa is a first-generation Business student at the University of Houston, double majoring in Finance and Management Information Systems. While still in high school, she launched a Moroccan catering service with her mother that quickly grew into a thriving Austin-based business. Mentored by community leader Rebecca Contreras, Israa now pays that mentorship forward by leading group sessions at underprivileged Austin-area high schools, connecting with young women who are navigating academic challenges. She plans to pursue a career at the intersection of healthcare and business, using entrepreneurship and service to empower communities and expand opportunities for those coming from backgrounds like her own.

Addison is a first-generation undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Communication and Leadership with a 3.9 GPA. She has built her undergraduate coursework around communication ethics, conflict resolution, and facilitative leadership, and she has presented as a panelist at the World Anti-Bullying Forum. Addison serves quietly and consistently across her campus community: interpreting for a deaf classmate, coordinating donations for service organizations, and writing grants for student groups. She plans to attend law school and pursue a career advocating for individuals with disabilities navigating the special education system, with a long-term goal of ensuring families have clear, accessible representation in the systems that shape their futures.

Isabella is a returning 2025 SOAR Scholar at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is pursuing a career in the legal field with a 3.83 GPA. She has been reappointed to the Election Supervisory Board and has dedicated her campus involvement to legislative and policy-focused opportunities. As the oldest child in her family, Isabella combines strong academics with a sustained sense of responsibility toward her younger sister and her community. She plans to attend law school after graduation and is particularly drawn to international and corporate law, with a long-term goal of building a career around the policy areas she becomes most passionate about through her coursework and professional experiences.

Julia is a first-generation Texas A&M University student, preparing for a career as a registered nurse, with a 3.92 GPA. Julia has combined strong academic performance with personal experience of the healthcare system that has shaped her professional calling. Julia will begin nursing school in the fall and plans to become a nurse whose care extends beyond clinical skill, serving as a source of comfort, advocacy, and steady presence for patients and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Her goal is to practice the kind of patient-centered, human nursing care that treats every patient as a whole person.

Marivel is a first-generation student at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, maintaining a 3.947 GPA on the path to becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist. A competitive powerlifter who has advanced through multiple weight classes, she brings the same discipline to her academic work and community service. Marivel plans to continue into graduate study after her undergraduate degree and ultimately open her own practice providing accessible, compassionate, and high-quality care. Her long-term goal is to deliver the kind of patient-centered care that makes families feel heard, seen, and supported at every stage of treatment.

Sofia is a student at Oxford College of Emory University pursuing a pre-medical pathway toward cardiology. She maintains a 3.9 GPA while working at her family's bakery and contributing to her community through sustained volunteer service. Sofia volunteers with Agave Hospice Care, supporting patients and families during end-of-life care, and serves at Title I elementary schools in her region. Her long-term vision is to create a mobile cardiology unit that brings preventive screenings and follow-up care directly to rural and underserved communities, pairing clinical excellence with the compassionate outreach that defines her approach to medicine.

Nevaeh is a first-generation, first-year student at Baylor University double majoring in accounting and entrepreneurship, where she is pursuing both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years. She is a member of the Honors College and has earned Dean’s List recognition with a 3.80 GPA. She graduated high school with both her diploma and an associate’s degree, earning summa cum laude honors at both the high school and college level. A member of the Service Committee for Women in Business, she organizes community projects ranging from nursing-home visits to appreciation gift bags for local fire departments. Nevaeh has gained hands-on experience working in accounting roles at a law office and in her current position with Mission Waco, while also balancing two jobs since her junior year of high school alongside rigorous academics. She plans to become a CPA, open her own accounting practice, and teach financial literacy to high school students in communities like the one she grew up in, ensuring the next generation has the tools to navigate personal finance with confidence.

Fernanda is a first-generation student at Bowdoin College pursuing a career in nursing. Raised on a family farm, she developed early habits of responsibility, discipline, and attentiveness to others that have shaped her approach to healthcare. Fernanda plans to become the kind of nurse who provides accessible, culturally grounded care to families who have historically had limited access to quality healthcare. She is committed to serving as a trusted resource for patients and their loved ones, combining clinical excellence with the warmth and steadiness she grew up seeing modeled in her own community.

Audrey is a first-generation freshman at Baylor University, majoring in economics. A record-setting competitive swimmer with a 3.86 GPA, she maintained top-level athletic performance throughout high school while earning recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction. At Baylor, Audrey serves as a Student Tour Guide and a member of the Baylor Student Foundation, where she raises scholarship funds, represents the university at college fairs, and organizes campus-wide events. As Captain of her high school water polo team, she co-created the Guyer Aquatics Buddies Program, an initiative that paired swimmers of different ages to foster mentorship and a stronger sense of community within the team. Audrey plans to build a career in economics focused on data-driven solutions that uplift communities and expand access.

McKenzie is an incoming freshman at Texas A&M University–College Station, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences with plans to continue to law school. Graduating at the top of her class with a 100.3/100 GPA, she is also a state-qualifying powerlifter who rose from a regional fifth-place finish to state-level competition over three seasons. McKenzie volunteers at Royal Family Kids Camp, which serves children in foster care, and has worked throughout high school to support her own education. She intends to earn her Juris Doctor in advocacy law and ultimately open a practice that serves students who have faced nontraditional paths to college.

Melody is a first-generation incoming student at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in biology. An accomplished researcher, she conducted international work with the Migration Youth and Children Platform, a UN-affiliated group studying global health disparities and human rights. Her research consisted of studying memory fragmentation and mental health in migrant populations. Additionally, she was one of three students selected regionally for the Behavior Analysts Internship at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, where she worked with neurodivergent clients and conducted research to advocate for advancement in Special Education Programs. At age twelve, Melody founded her small business Mel's Stickers, teaching herself design and e-commerce. As a Dean's Scholar – STEM Honors program at UT – she plans work at the intersection of neurobiology and public policy to address healthcare inequities.

Olivia is a first-generation student attending Texas A&M University, where she plans to study nursing with a focus on women's health. Maintaining a 4.097 GPA throughout high school, she has served as a student athletic trainer and taken on leadership roles in multiple organizations, including HOSA, Best Buddies, and her own club, Redefine Perfect, which raises awareness about body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Through her activities, she prioritized creating spaces where younger students feel seen and supported. Olivia aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse, providing compassionate, patient-centered care to mothers through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Long term, she hopes to advocate for women whose voices are not always heard in healthcare settings and to build a career defined by empathy, advocacy, and service.

Consuelo is an incoming freshman at Texas A&M University with plans to earn a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia. Graduating in the top 4% of her class with both a high school diploma and an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts, she completed more than 70 college credit hours through Blinn, OnRamps, and AP programs. Consuelo has volunteered extensively at local food banks and community service events, and she plans to become a CRNA in obstetrics while working toward the long-term goal of opening a clinic that provides accessible healthcare to economically disadvantaged families. She also hopes to establish a faith-based nonprofit offering food, necessities, and scholarships to the families who shaped her.

Ava is a first-generation incoming student at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in history. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA, she completed a rigorous medical pathway in high school and earned certifications as both a Certified Nurse Aide and an EKG Technician. Ava worked as a CNA at a local nursing facility, where she built hands-on patient-care experience and developed a deep commitment to geriatric care. Her blend of clinical preparation and intellectual curiosity will serve her well as she pursues nursing and, ultimately, a career providing compassionate bedside care in underserved communities.

Lorena is a first-generation incoming student at Texas A&M University–College Station, where she plans to major in economics with a 4.88 GPA. She has served for several years as a youth leader at her church, teaching fifth graders and helping lead retreats and leadership events for her faith community. Lorena plans to use her economics degree to build a career focused on how resources and opportunities shape communities, pairing her professional work with continued service and mentorship. Her long-term goal is to contribute to solutions that help communities grow and thrive while opening doors for the next generation of first-generation students.

Alexa is a first-generation incoming student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she plans to study civil engineering with a focus on water resources. She is fascinated by the often-invisible infrastructure that keeps communities safe, from municipal water systems to stormwater management. Alexa plans to earn her Professional Engineer license and ultimately pursue a master's degree in water resources engineering, with the long-term goal of contributing to infrastructure systems that protect public health and expand reliable water access. Her determination and focus make her a strong addition to the next generation of Latina engineers.

Abigail is a first-generation incoming student at Babson College, where she plans to study business. She co-founded her high school's first chapter of Future Business Leaders of America and served as Outreach Coordinator for her school's robotics program, advocating for broader access to STEM education. Abigail is drawn to the intersection of business and law, particularly the ways in which clearer financial and legal systems can expand opportunity for first-generation families. Her long-term goal is to combine business and legal expertise to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity for communities that have historically been underrepresented in those fields.

Kadrian is pursuing both a paralegal certificate and an Associate of Applied Science through Dallas College’s ABA-approved Paralegal Program while working as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) investigator in training. Her work focuses on legal investigation, workplace discrimination analysis, and the structured documentation of investigative findings. During her first semester, Kadrian navigated homelessness while caring for her toddler; her persistence and academic performance helped her family qualify for two years of stable housing through Buckner International. This experience strengthened her commitment to building a stable, long-term career in legal investigation and advocacy. Kadrian has demonstrated initiative by leading training sessions on pre-formatting interrogatories for multi-claim investigations to improve efficiency and accuracy. She is also developing investigative workflow systems using tools such as SharePoint and Power Automate to streamline documentation and case management processes. She is multilingual, speaking Spanish and French, and is currently studying Arabic. To further strengthen her ability to serve diverse populations, she joined El Proyecto Defensa Laboral to build fluency in employment-related legal contexts. Kadrian will sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam in May 2026. As a SOAR Skills Scholar, she is focused on advancing her legal and technical skills and ultimately launching a training company that provides cross-skills education for EEO investigators and paralegals through practical, technology-enabled resources.

Farhan is a career changer pursuing Radiologic Technology at Dallas College, with plans to specialize in MRI Technology. An International Baccalaureate diploma holder, Farhan is driven by a desire to contribute to patients' quality of life through skilled, compassionate imaging care. While at OneSource Virtual, he single-handedly coordinated two company-wide food drives with Minnie's Food Pantry, building a partnership that continued after his departure. He currently volunteers four hours each week at Medical City Dallas, escorting visitors and supporting patients in need of wheelchairs. Farhan's 1–3 year vision is to earn his radiologic technology credential, join a Texas hospital or imaging facility, and complete an MRI specialization. Longer term, he envisions opening outpatient imaging facilities and potentially teaching radiology at the college level.

Dena is pursuing Dental Hygiene at Collin College, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA and has distinguished herself as a thoughtful, resilient learner with a gift for translating clinical information into plain language. As “Rosie,” the Flower Mound High School mascot, Dena built a reputation for showing up with warmth and energy even on the hardest days, a quality that now carries naturally into patient care. She hopes to build a meaningful career as a dental hygienist where she can combine clinical skill with compassionate care, helping patients feel confident in their oral health through education, trust, and support. Dena is especially passionate about serving patients who experience dental anxiety, limited access to care, or a lack of oral health education, and she wants every patient she serves to feel seen, informed, and at ease.

Xavier is a high school senior from Laredo, Texas who will enroll in the Electrical Technology, Journeyman Assistant program at Laredo College. Growing up with limited family support, Xavier began working at Starbucks early to help fund his education and avoid student debt, and he contributes to caring for his grandparents. He has worked through learning challenges and test anxiety to build the discipline and perseverance that now define his approach to school and work. Inspired by watching line workers restore power and safety to his community during outages, Xavier's pathway is clear and credentialed: complete the Electrical Technology certificate, pursue the AEP Texas Line Worker Apprenticeship, earn his master electrician license, and eventually open his own electrical business — continuing to learn Spanish so he can serve his neighbors in the language they trust most.