GoGirl! Grant Recipients
Alejandra Castro
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation date: June 2023
Alejandra is the oldest daughter of immigrant parents and a single parent to three amazing children. Her parents came to this country to give she and her siblings a better life and opportunities.
Alejandra has been in the medical field for over ten years as a Monitor Technician and Phlebotomist. There she discovered her passion for helping those who cannot help themselves.
Enrolling in college to pursue her Associate’s degree in Registered Nursing after many years was challenging as she works to support her family. Her children are her motivation to keep going. She wants to be the best she can be and lead by example. She wants her children to know that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard.
Her current goal is to obtain her Nursing degree. She will then continue to study for her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with the ultimate goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Family Medicine in the Coachella Valley.
She wants to focus on helping Spanish speaking patients with chronic conditions, taking the time to properly educate them and advocate for them while encouraging them to actively participate in their health. She would like to continue to do her part in making a difference and consistently do her best for our local community.
Lesley Garcia-Lopez
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2023
Lesley was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. She has always found the medical field fascinating. In high school, she was part of the Medical Health Academy. She participated in various job shadows and had an internship in a chiropractor’s office.
She knew early on that she wanted to be a part of something bigger and make a difference in someone’s life. She has worked with all ages, from seven days old to 97 years old.
Her love grew quickly for the pediatric and labor and delivery unit. She feels that it is a specialty that not only focuses on bringing new life into this world, but it also empowers and supports women through a life changing experience.
Lesley is a firm believer that each patient should be treated with the utmost respect to allow them dignity while being cared for in challenging situations. She looks forward to building and improving her communication skills, time management and learning everything she needs to know to become the best nurse she can be.
Karla Gonzales
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Karla was born in the Coachella Valley and continues to reside in La Quinta along with her husband and five children. Her husband is a Sergeant in the US Army and recently returned from a one-year deployment to South Korea.
She has been in the medical field since 2008 and has worked in various medical sectors, including pediatrics, orthopedics, family care and urgent care.
Karla is proud to come from a long line of public servants. Being awarded a GoGirl! Grant will enable Karla to continue her education full time and realize her goal of becoming a nurse. She wants to continue to serve her community and the Coachella Valley, which she loves and cherishes.
Cheyla Higareda
California Desert Trial Academy/Juris
Anticipated Graduation date: 2026
Cheyla was born in Indio, California. She is the oldest of four sisters. Her parents fled the poverty that surrounded them in Mexico and came to the United States. They both worked various heavy labor jobs throughout the years to give she and her sisters a chance at a better life. Witnessing the sacrifices her parents made daily encouraged Cheyla to make their sacrifices count. Therefore, at the age of fourteen she decided to become an attorney because she realized that unlike them, she was fortunate enough to have citizenship, knowledge of the English language, and two parents who supported her dream of obtaining a higher education.
Cheyla has always been an exemplary student. She graduated high school with honors, continued on to the University of Redlands and was recognized on the Dean’s Honor List and followed that with a master’s degree in Practical Theology with Cum Lade Honors.
Now Cheyla is pursuing her true passion at California Desert Trial Academy where she will be studying for her Juris degree with an anticipated graduation date of 2026.
Her long-term goal is to become an established attorney within the Coachella Valley. She wants to make a positive and genuine difference within her community.
Amber Hoose
COD/AA Business Administration. Anticipated Graduation date: December 2022
Amber has overcome incredible circumstances; drug addicted parents, foster care, being addicted herself, having a child adopted and living on the streets for two years. She has fought these battles throughout her life and overcome them all with determination and humility. She knows that continuing her education at College of the Desert is the best decision she has ever made.
Her three children have encouraged her every step along the way by cheering her on and have helped her understand that education is essential; not only for herself, but for them as well.
Amber is on track to graduate from College of the Desert with an AA in Business Administration this fall. She will then transfer to CSUSB and pursue her Accounting Degree. Amber’s long-term goal is to open an accounting business in the Coachella Valley.
Briana Jandt
Briana aspired to a higher education from a very young age. After personal struggles and many roadblocks along the way, Briana was able to move forward and is excelling in her college journey, maintaining a 4.0 GPA at College of the Desert. She had the honor of being one of two student speakers for the 2020 College of the Desert Commencement Ceremony. Now, Briana is a full-time student at CSUSB PD and has completed her first semester in the nursing program.
In addition to her college success, she has also maintained weekly involvement in her local community. She is a leader in a ministry with Southwest Church and is able to walk alongside other women who are struggling and has the opportunity to share the hope and freedom she has found. As a single mother of a young daughter, life is beautiful, but not always easy. Briana is grateful that she has the opportunities in front of her to provide a better life for both of them. She knows that her life experiences will provide the opportunity to connect with her patients authentically as an RN.
Her goal is to work in a local hospital in the Coachella Valley in either the ER or disease prevention. With perseverance, grit, support and motivation, she will continue to pursue the college dream instilled in her so long ago.
Illiana Jimenez
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Illiana was born and raised in La Quinta. She comes from a family that immigrated to the United States in order to provide her a better life.
She is the first in her family to graduate from college. Illiana graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a double major in Business Management and Psychology while being a student athlete.
It was on a mission trip to Mexico assisting doctors that she realized she wanted to become a nurse. Illiana has no doubt that our investment will come back to the Coachella Valley ten-fold and it will enable her to attain her dream of becoming a registered nurse.
Ariel Lorenzen
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Ariel was born and raised in California and has thrived on fostering her love of learning.
After graduating from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor of Science in Global Environmental Science, she realized that she has a passion for helping others that she needed to pursue. Ariel feels there is nothing like witnessing and facilitating a positive change in someone’s health.
Ariel holds the public relations position for the Student Nurses Association and has just accepted a position at COD as the new nursing tutor. She’ll be tutoring first, second and third semester students.
After receiving her RN degree, her goal is to work in the labor and delivery department while completing her BSN and ultimately to become a certified nurse-midwife. She is striving to become the best nurse and the best version of herself she can be.
Jaemilyn Lucas
CSUSB/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2023
Jaemilyn was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. While attending Cathedral City High School, she discovered her passion for the medical field.
She joined a health academy and became a junior volunteer at Eisenhower Medical Center to gain exposure in the medical field. Although she didn’t perform direct patient care at that time, she was able to cultivate and refine her customer service skills by delivering flowers to patients or by discharging them with the goal of putting a smile on their face with her positive and uplifting demeanor.
Jaemilyn’s specialty is in Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. She find it fulfilling to be in an industry that merges beauty and science. Boosting people’s confidence and self-esteem as a career is a dream of hers.
Her long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner and to open her own aesthetic practice here in the Coachella Valley.
Tanya Martinez
ln 2012 Tanya received her Associate’s degree in Business Administration. Her goal was to become a manager in a retail company. However, she discovered she didn’t have the passion for retail management and began searching for what would make her happy.
ln 2016 Tanya began taking classes in order to apply for the nursing program at College of the
Desert. Earning A’s and B’s, she gained more confidence and realized she does love what it
takes to become a nurse. She became friends with her classmates and became even more excited about her future. After completing her first semester at College of the Desert in the nursing program, Tanya has realized even more that nursing is her passion and that she could wake up every morning proud of her career and accomplishments. She has immersed herself in her program and plans on gaining as much knowledge from her fellow students and instructors so she can take that knowledge into her practice. Helping patients has made her extremely happy and fulfilled, which is what she’s been wanting her whole life.
Priscila Medina
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2023
Priscila was born and raised in Palm Springs. She is the single mother of a beautiful and energetic daughter. Her daughter is her full motivation to succeed. She wants to be great, not only for her daughter, but for her community as well.
Priscila has worked in the medical field for nine years. The last seven years she has been an imaging nursing assistant at the Oncology Department at the Lucy Curci Cancer Center. This is where she’s learned vulnerability and strength. Her patients have taught her to be a stronger person for them. When she becomes a nurse, she wants to give back with love, respect and hope.
Her goal is to work in the emergency department at a local hospital with the ultimate goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
Andrea Mendez
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2023
Andrea is the youngest of nine children and the only member of her family to complete high school and to have received a college degree. Her childhood dream was always to become a nurse. She is a single mother of two and her children are her inspiration to continue her education.
Although she started college upon graduating from high school, she has experienced several challenges that have kept her from reaching her goal until now. She views completing her nursing degree as a great personal accomplishment and feels it will set an example for her children that despite the obstacles you face in life, you can still accomplish your dreams.
Andrea’s goal is to work at Eisenhower Medical Center in the stroke or cardiac unit while studying for her BSN.
Monica Monay
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2023
Monica is a Coachella Valley native, married and a proud mom of two beautiful daughters. She is currently in COD’s Registered Nursing Program with the goal of obtaining her Associates Degree in Nursing. Soon after, she plans to apply to CSUSB and continue in their accelerated BSN program.
After two years of experience in an acute care setting, she plans to specialize in cardiac care. Monica has always been very intrigued by the complexity of the heart and how it, quite literally, is the pump of our bodies. Her passion for cardiac care is also driven by the fact that one of her daughters was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect. Monica wants to be as educated and prepared as she can be to help her daughter on her journey.
She also wants to be a nurse that helps families feel safe by providing care for their loved one during very uncertain times and educating them on what is to come.
She is working extremely hard to reach her goals because she wants to be the woman her daughters can look up to. Her main goal in life is to inspire her daughters and other young women to pursue their dreams and give back to their communities
Susana Neal
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Susana is a single parent of two amazing young men. She has tried to instill the importance of education by being a good example. Nursing has always been Susana’s dream. Her mother has been a caregiver her entire life and is a true inspiration.
While working in the same medical office as a Medical Assistant for the last eighteen years, Susana has developed an amazing relationship with her patients. She absolutely loves caring for them and cannot wait to do it in a nursing setting.
As her sons are both now in their twenties, she feels it’s time to fulfill her goal and pursue her passion to become a nurse. Upon completion of her RN, she hopes to continue studying for her BSN while working in the emergency department of a local hospital.
She also wants to help students obtain financial help so they can concentrate on school and not worry as much about their financial situation.
Jasmine Nichols
CSUSB/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025
Playing pretend hospital with her sister was always Jasmine’s favorite childhood game. Her childhood dream was to become a nurse and that still hasn’t wavered – not once. She was pretty well-versed in the medical field from a young age because of the stories her father shared as the head nurse of a trauma unit in an emergency room.
Recently Jasmine graduated from College of the Desert with an Associates of Science degree with honors and has passed her entrance exam into nursing school at CSUSB. She is minoring in psychology as she feels this will be helpful in the field of nursing and leaves room for the possibility of attaining a Masters of Science degree in the future.
Jasmine is proud to have overcome impossible odds as a single mother while supporting her daughter. She is fighting to become the woman she can be proud of and it is more important than ever to show her daughter that girls can do hard things. She’s learned that a kind heart is usually what people need, rather than the ‘perfect words.’
Jasmine is looking forward to pursing her career and to give back to the Coachella Valley.
Brittany Nygren
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Brittany is the first in her family to graduate from high school. As she started college, she felt a tremendous amount of pressure. She wanted to prove to her family and friends that they can reach their dreams no matter their age. She wanted to show them that everything is possible if you remain determined and work hard.
Brittany’s career goal to become a nurse started with her passion to assist others and to improve their health and quality of life. In addition to her passion in the nursing and healthcare field, she has chosen this career path for financial stability, stable employment and the rewards it offers her personally knowing she’s helping people in a positive way.
One day she hopes to start a family of her own and will rely on her education and career to support her family. She feels she can serve the role of a nurse with enthusiasm and skill that would benefit any healthcare provider she is employed by.
Her goal is to work in labor and delivery or in the emergency room at a local hospital while studying for her BSN.
Maria Elena Pantoja
CSUSB/BSN
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025
Maria Elena has raised her son as a single parent while working and going to school. She has Associates Degrees in Biomedical Science, Social Behavioral Science and Math; with honors.
Her first experience in the medical field was in 2001 when she was hired as a receptionist at an Ophthalmology Clinic. She was quickly promoted and became fascinated by ophthalmology and how it interfaces with many other specialties. Her admiration for health care workers increased as she began to assist as a scrub technician for certain eye procedures. She knew then, that she wanted to be in the operating room as a nurse, not as a technician.
Although she enjoyed her job and had over twenty years of experience in ophthalmology, she noticed she was being overlooked for promotions due to her lack of education. It wasn’t until her son became a college student that she saw the opportunity to further her education and pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
She is beyond blessed and excited to see her goals and dreams come true. She knows her life would not be the same without the challenges she’s encountered throughout her life and is thrilled to be a resident of the Coachella Valley, an area she started visiting over twenty-five years ago.
Maria Perez
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Maria and her family immigrated from Mexico over seventeen years ago. Watching her parents work in the fields day and night to provide for she and her family inspired her to continue her education and strive for a better future. After graduating from high school, Maria also started working in the fields harvesting grapes and strawberries to pay for her college tuition.
From a young age, she remembers playing nurse and feels that it is her destiny to be there for people at their most vulnerable times; to hold their hand, talk or provide some words of hope. She wants to help and inspire others. She is now married and a mother of two children. Her family inspires her and gives her the incentive to continue to achieve her dreams and aspirations.
Her goal is to become a nurse and to specialize in dialysis, wound care and heart monitoring while studying for her BSN.