Past Members

Program: Ph.D. Student in Applied Physics working in the Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering Department (CLaSP) department. Graduate Certificate in Latino/a Studies.

Hometown: Miami, FL

Ariana was born in Ecuador to Peruvian and Bolivian parents. She grew up very interested in math, science and the arts and pursued her bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and Physics. She found her passion for space through research and internships and now is getting her PhD to study lunar surface science with NASA and hopes to become an astronaut in the future. Ariana is also very passionate about latinx community outreach and is very excited to plan events this year for the Puentes community! 

Instagram: @arianabueno | LinkedIn

Program: Ph.D. Student in Biopsychology

Hometown: Torrance, CA

Ivette is a doctoral student in the biopsychology program, currently researching how social housing conditions have an effect of motivation for methamphetamine. She did her undergraduate in Psychology & Spanish at San Diego State University. She joined Puentes because she liked how they made her feel welcomed and gave her a good sense of community. In her free time she likes to explore different hiking spots and try new restaurants.

Twitter: @ivettegl_01 | LinkedIn

Hometown: Elkin, NC  

Missy is the Lab Manager for the Contexts of Academic + Socialemotional Adjustment (CASA) Lab. She has a BA in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and Minors in Psychology and Symbolic Systems from Stanford University. With Puentes, she hopes to connect and grow academically and alongside the Latinx community at UMich. Outside of work, she loves to spend time sewing, drinking coffee, and being in nature.

Program: Master of Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Hometown: San Bernardino, CA

Flor Azul Lorenzo is a dedicated public policy professional with a passion for social justice and equity. Prior to pursuing an MPP from the Ford School, Flor Azul worked with foundations, nonprofit organizations, state agencies, and political organizations to serve underrepresented groups. Flor Azul developed her knack for numbers at the age of 10 managing her mother's tamale business account. Now, as Puentes Treasurer, she hopes to use her passion for budgeting, record-keeping, and financial planning.

Program: Master's in Educational Studies with a concentration in Educational Equity, Justice, and Social Transformation

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Andrea (she/ella) is currently pursuing her MA in Educational Studies with a concentration in Educational Equity, Justice, and Social Transformation. She graduated from Occidental College with a BA in Latinx and Latin American Studies and minors in Education and History in May 2022. Andrea’s educational aspirations lie in increasing college access for marginalized students of color and developing stronger family-school-community relationships in schools. At U-M, Andrea works at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender (IRWG) and is a recipient of the Rackham Merit Fellowship - Masters Award. Andrea is a Consultant with CADCA Youth Leadership, where she has facilitated trainings across Latin America and the U.S. on youth leadership, advocacy and policy, and health equity. 

Instagram: @andreamrqz5 | LinkedIn 

Program: Master's in Social Work in the Community Change Pathway 

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Bio: Gisel is pursuing her Master's in Social Work at the University of Michigan. She obtained her Bachelor's in Social Work at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and her Associate of Arts at the College of Southern Nevada. She is passionate in improving the ways in which policies affect communities and fostering a relationship within these communities. She is a first generation student, proudly comes from a Mexican-Salvadorian family, and hopes to use her background to help advocate for the Latinx communities. Something Gisel enjoys doing is making coffee, she has been a barista for three+ years and you can find her at your local Sweetwaters continuing her hobby! 

Program: Ph.D. in Combined Program of Education and Psychology

Hometown: Greensboro, NC  

Saraí is a 5th year PhD Candidate in the Combined Program of Education and Psychology as well as a master's student in the School of Social Work, in the Community Change pathway. Her research focuses on how Latinx immigrant communities experience and embody radical healing. She finds joy in dancing, cooking, and spending time in nature with her two dogs, Nala and Cookie. 

Program: PhD Student in Higher Education

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Cassandra is a doctoral student in the higher education program at the University of Michigan. As a Mexicana-Boricua scholar, her research examines the intersection of higher education policy and college access for Latinx students. She also works as a research policy intern for Excelencia in Education studying Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and institutional resilience in Puerto Rico. Outside of academia, Cassandra enjoys dancing bachata, salsa, and merengue and playing with her husky.

Twitter: @FutureDrArroyo

Program: PhD Student in Social Psychology

Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ariana is a graduate student in the Social Psychology program. Broadly speaking, she studies underrepresented group members’ experiences with subtle bias (microaggressions, omissions) and the effects on their wellbeing and academic outcomes. In her free time, she likes going to the movies, trying out new restaurants, and attending artisan fairs. Thanks to Puentes, she gets to be part of a cross-disciplinary Latinx community on campus, where she has felt understood and supported. She is very excited for the upcoming Puentes Welcome Event and the opportunity to meet more Latinx students! 

Program: Master's Student for School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI

Veronica Correa is a second-year master's student at SEAS, where she is specializing in environmental behavior, education, and communication. Veronica got her bachelor's in environmental science at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, but missed Ann Arbor so much she decided to come back for grad school. When she isn't busy with school she is probably updating her LinkedIn profile or making Spotify playlists for her cat.

Program: Master of Supply Chain Management

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Natalie is a master’s student in the Supply Chain Management program at the University of Michigan. She was previously living in the Dominican Republic where she completed her undergraduate studies in Business Administration. She likes outdoor activities, trying new food and loves to spend time with her family, friends and dogs. 

Program: Master of Urban & Regional Planning and Master of Health Behavior & Health Education

Hometown: Woodland, CA

Areli is a third-year dual degree Public Health and Urban Planning student. They have a profound curiosity and commitment to create spaces that highlight strengths in BIPOC communities to ensure a safer and healthier future for the next generation. They enjoy puzzling, propagating plants, backpacking, and cycling (even in 40+ degree weather!). Areli Ariana's pronouns are they/them/ their.