After immigrating from Michoacán, Mexico, at the age of 3, Adela resided in the City of Watsonville. Adela was raised in a house of six children. As a migrant child, her elementary years inspired her to make a difference. Adela attended several local schools, including Watsonville High & Cabrillo College. She rekindled her desire to continue making a difference through hard work, resiliency, and her father’s encouraging words, “La educación es algo que nadie te puede quitar.” Adela taught in the Pajaro Valley School District(PVUSD) K-12 grades. In her current role as DREAM Resource Program Coordinator, she is honored to walk along with students in navigating the multi-dimensional complexities of Post-Secondary Education. She is obtaining a Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership(CCLEAD) at San Diego State University.
Adela is a Dreamer and a Do’er at heart! She is passionate about creating systemic changes that validate and affirm the latina/o/x student experiences. One interesting fact about her is that she applied to the Chicana/Latina Foundation 5 times! For the 5th time, in 2016, she was selected as a recipient. This opportunity allowed her to finish her Master’s Degree and join a familia of empowered Chicana/Latinas who, too, were furthering their education. As a newly selected CLF Board Member, she is honored to be invited to the CLF Table. She recognizes she will be learning so much from her Hermana’s and is humbled to be in a community with Chingonas. Her intention will be centered on community, love, and familia as we together uplift the mission of CLF.
According to the Clifton Strengths assessment, Adela’s top ten talents are (1) achiever, (2) empathy, (3) developer, (4) restorative, (5) includer, (6) learner, (7) responsibility, (8) discipline, (9) harmony, and (10) positivity. Her top five character strengths, according to the Values in Action (VIA) survey are: (1) perseverance, (2) fairness, (3) humility, (4) perspective, and (5) social intelligence. Adela is also a proud mommy of a beautiful boy, Carlitos.