Brenda Santoyo is an SLCC alumnus, and the College has been a home away from home for her for several years now. She completed her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy with an emphasis in Student Affairs in 2020 from the University of Utah. As a daughter of Mexican undocumented immigrants, she has always strived to serve the individual needs of her beloved community. Brenda's drive and passion stem from her background in serving undocumented students initially enrolled in the Bridge to Success and Bruin Scholars programs through the office of Orientation & Student Success. In her time at the College, she has played a role in launching the Bruin Dreams scholarship program, upholding the charge of the Undocumented Student Resource Committee, and managing SLCC's Dream Center, the second in the state of Utah, as the inaugural Manager.

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Available at two locations:

• West Valley Center
• Taylorsville Redwood Campus

Note: Location varies based on their schedule, and where the Dream Center is needed. Check-in with Dream Center staff before traveling to a particular location. Scheduling an appointment with us is the best way to connect with us!

Cristina is a first-generation student, DACA recipient, and an SLCC alumnus. Most recently, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Writing and Rhetoric Studies from the University of Utah. As an undergrad, Cristina provided support to students with their writing needs as the Writing and Rhetoric Fellow for the SLCC Dream Center and aided with many research projects focusing on first generation students and undocumented immigrants. After completing her studies, she began working as an Admissions & Concurrent Enrollment Advisor serving students at Granite, Jordan, Canyons, and Murray school districts, where she cultivated connections with staff, and faculty as well as learned about the many resources available to prospective college students.

Cristina has always supported her community in a multitude of ways, and she hopes to continue uplifting students in the ways that she hoped she was supported when she was a student.

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Available at two locations:

• West Valley Center
• Taylorsville Redwood Campus

Note: Location varies based on their schedule, and where the Dream Center is needed. Check-in with Dream Center staff before traveling to a particular location. Scheduling an appointment with us is the best way to connect with us!

Ariana, who moved from India a year and a half ago, is currently pursuing her Associates degree in Nursing (AAS) with plans to continue her education through a Masters degree. Driven by her passion for helping others, she believes that kindness is essential for both personal and professional growth. As a diligent, compassionate, and dedicated aspiring nurse, Ariana remains committed to her studies and future career.

By sharing her experiences and achievements, she hopes to inspire others to chase their dreams with determination and kindness. Excited about the opportunities ahead, she looks forward to making a meaningful impact in the field of nursing as she continues her educational and professional journey.

Trilingual in English, Hindi and Marathi

Estephany, a first-generation college student, is currently pursuing her Associates of Pre-Engineering (APE) with plans to transfer to the University of Utah for a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Mechatronics. Education holds utmost importance in her life, believing it to be the catalyst for personal growth and societal advancement. As a hard-working, open-minded, and enthusiastic aspiring electrical engineering student, she approaches life with an insatiable curiosity and a fearless attitude towards challenges, viewing failure as an integral part of the journey towards success. Actively involved in SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) as Secretary & Social Media Manager, she drives the organization's mission by encouraging academic and professional pursuits within the community. By sharing her journey and achievements, she aims to inspire and empower others to break barriers and pursue their own goals. She's absolutely thrilled to join SLCC's Dream Center, grateful for the chance to not only develop personally but also make a positive impact on the community along the way.

Trilingual in English, Spanish, and Cantonese

Abdul is a dedicated student with a passion for healthcare and community service. Originally from Afghanistan, Abdul moved to the United States in 2018 and has been pursuing his educational and professional goals ever since. He is currently completing his prerequisites for the Dental Hygiene program at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) and plans to earn his Bachelor's degree at Utah Valley University (UVU). Abdul is committed to making a positive impact in the dental field and improving patient care for underserved communities.

Juan is a current student pursuing a degree in Biology. He was born and raised in Mexico and moved to Utah two years ago, seeking to transcend both in his studies and on a personal level. His experiences as an immigrant have given him a deep understanding of the cultural and economic challenges that many students face when navigating their educational journey. Inspired by the support he received early on, Juan is passionate about helping others discover their own paths to success. Committed to giving back, he is eager to support and uplift his community in this new role at the Dream Center, contributing to its growth and development.

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Alondra is a first-generation college student and she is currently working towards completing her Associates of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. She moved from Mexico at the age of 4 and has since then made it a promise to accomplish her dream. Alondra understands the struggles and obstacles the Latinx community has to navigate as it is her own lived experience. This is why she strives to be a supportive and positive impact within her professional and academic environments. She sets her goals and goes after what she wants. Alondra has developed various skills by engaging in service learning for over 8 years. She carries herself with an optimistic perspective and keeps her family and community close to her heart.

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Edgar is a first-generation college student, who grew up in the west side of the Salt Lake Valley and was born in Michoacán, Mexico. He graduated from West High School and is now working on his Associates of Pre-Engineering (APE) with the intention of transferring to the University of Utah to pursue a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering. Having completed middle school and two years of high school in Mexico, he excels in Spanish and English. Edgar is honored to work with immigrant students like himself in obtaining a higher education. As a single parent he understands the challenges of time management between work, family, and student life and has a deep respect for immigrant parents who aspire for post-secondary education. Edgar is an avid reader of science, technology, history, anthropology, paleontology, and science-fiction. Some of his favorite novels include Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Congo, The Time Machine, Dune and 1984. In his free time, Edgar enjoys snowboarding with his daughter D'azia.

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Rafael is a first-year student at SLCC. He is from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He is pursuing his degree in Fashion Design at SLCC and will finish his studies at the University of Utah. Being an international student, he knows the challenges that students face in a new country as well as all the resources that SLCC provides. Their mission is to help you in the process of improving yourself academically and achieving your goal.

Rosa is a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Dental Hygiene. She was born in Mexico but migrated to the United States at just seven months old. While she does not have many personal memories of her birthplace, she carries a deep understanding of the sacrifices and challenges her parents endured to provide a better future. As a DACA recipient, she has encountered numerous barriers such as learning a new language and adapting to traditions that often felt unfamiliar. Throughout this journey, she discovered a passion for helping others in her community, where she hopes to eliminate barriers that underserved communities face and inspire everyone to treat one another with empathy and dignity. She believes in the power of education and the strength of community. She is committed and looking forward to helping anyone who needs support with their academic journey at SLCC. Whether it's providing advice, finding resources, or giving encouragement.

Salma is a dedicated peer mentor working at the Dream Center at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). As a proud Colombian and a first-generation college student, Salma draws strength from her unique journey to empower and guide others. Her core values—fairness, honesty, and hard work—serve as the foundation for her work, helping those around her to strive for success.

Salma is committed to helping students discover the opportunities that transformed her own academic path. She uses her role to provide the guidance and support she wishes she had during her own early experiences in college, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in those she mentors. Through her efforts, Salma wishes to leave a lasting impact within her community, paving the way for students to achieve their dreams and thrive in their educational journeys.

Yeraldy is a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Nursing. She plans to continue furthering her education and completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in the future. She has always found love in healthcare and giving back to the community by supporting her patients through trials they face. She would like to eventually be able to open her own practice focusing on providing support to immigrant and refugee patients along with any low-income patients. She has passion for supporting, uplifting, and guiding members of various communities. She is very excited to start and continue her role with SLCC's Dream Center and is looking forward to making a difference in her community.

Tracy is an SLCC student majoring in Writing Studies and is currently the Writing and Rhetoric Fellow at the Dream Center. She was born and raised in Guatemala, and moved to the United States when she was fifteen. Tracy is proud of her identity as a Guatemalan and a woman of color. Her goal is to help members of the Latinx and Hispanic communities feel empowered by their experiences, and feel proud to share their stories with the world.

You can reach out to Tracy for support with your writing, whether that is for your class assignments, personal statements or scholarship essay responses, and your resume and cover letter.