The Cultural Leadership Fellowship is a unique program focused on empowering undocumented leaders through culturally sustaining education, expanding knowledge of community initiatives in the United States and globally, and fostering collaboration among fellows from various professions and backgrounds. We are dedicated to providing experiential learning opportunities through Advance Parole and domestic travel, enabling participants to gain first-hand experiences. Our goal is to support undocumented leaders by equipping them with culturally responsive skills needed to thrive in their respective fields, while cultivating a strong sense of community.
The cohort will participate in a travel program during the winter, spring, or summer. During the travel program, the cohort will participate in project-based learning classes on Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy and how it shifts through space and visit various archeological sites and education-based institutions or organizations to learn how culture has sustained across centuries in these spaces. Each fellow will have the opportunity to conduct their own ethnography research, for a 2-3 week period, at countries of their choice, to expand on their learning from the fellowship after the group travel program.
Upon return from the travel program, the fellows will create a cultural product of their choice (blog post, video, journal entry, etc.) focused on each of their learnings, connected to culture, space, and the current political, educational, and economic climate in the locations they visited. Scholar Fund will share the fellows’ cultural products through their website, social media, blogs, and newsletters.
Everyday we get the opportunity to come together and make something great. Our team is reflective of the communities we serve and in each moment we strive towards greatness.
Yuriana, a first-generation Latina from Michoacan, Mexico, earned a degree in Human-Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington. She worked in higher education to increase access and success for immigrant and first-generation students, founded the Beyond HB 1079 conference, and served as Diversity Outreach and Engagement Administrator at the City of Bellevue. Yuriana's goal was to engage diverse communities and advance equity initiatives.
Alejandra, originally from Guatemala, advocates for educational equity for students and families in Washington State. She co-directed the Beyond HB 1079 Conference and was a community organizer with the Washington Dream Coalition. Alejandra coached and facilitated educator teams to shift adult mindsets and transform education systems. She holds her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education from the University of Washington Bothell, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Culturally Sustaining Education.
Cindy’s commitments stem from the love, care, and support she has experienced. She graduated from Western Washington University as a Presidential Scholar in Human Services and participated in student-led advocacy efforts to support undocumented students on campus. At Scholar Fund, she has supported countless underserved communities with funding assistance and developing equitable and accessible cash assistance programs. Cindy uses her personal experiences and community organizing skills to center vulnerable communities.
Victoria Matey Mendoza (she/her) is a queer, undocumented digital creator based in Washington. She has been speaking for nine years across the nation on immigration topics including two TEDx talks. She is also the Host and Co-Producer of Shot of Truth Podcast, created to celebrate, share stories, knowledge and heal through dialogue with other undocumented people. She graduated with a business degree at Western Washington University and was a part of various local and state efforts to support her community.
