GoGirl! Grant Recipients
Alejandra Castro
Ohio University Online Program studying for BSN
Anticipated Graduation date: Spring 2025
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.
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.
Karla Gonzales
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2024
Karla was born in the Coachella Valley and continues to reside in La Quinta along with her husband and five children. 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. 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.
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.
Ariel Lorenzen
Grand Canyon University Online Program studying for BSN
Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2025
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.
She is striving to become the best nurse and the best version of herself she can be.
Jasmine Nichols
CSUSB/BSN
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.
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.
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.
Her first experience in the medical field was in 2001 when she was hired as a receptionist at an Ophthalmology Clinic. 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.
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.
Victoria Perez
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2026
Victoria began pursuing her dream career as a nurse right after graduating from high school in 2016.
Financial hurdles and the loss of Victoria’s mom forced her to pause her education. Losing her mom at such a young ago was very hard on her, but it also compelled her to re-enroll in school and finish her education in honor of her mother.
It was a challenging time, but Victoria soon received the news she’d been working towards; College of the Desert offered her a seat in the RN Program in February 2024.
Her goal is to become an RN in labor and delivery.
Xylica Anne Olea
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2024
Xylica’s passion for nursing began when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She regularly interacted with her mother’s care team and watched the nurses combine their clinical expertise with their heartfelt compassion while caring for her mother.
She has earned her Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Certification, her license as a Vocational Nurse and is now on the path to complete her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. Her family motivates her to succeed in everything she does.
Pursing her goal as a registered nurse will open more doors for her family and for her own self-advancement.
Rafaela Ballardo Medina
CSUSB/Spanish Teacher
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025
Rafaela is a first generation college student whose family immigrated from Mexico. She is married and the proud mother of two sons.
Completing her education has always been a priority for Rafaela. She’s worked hard over the years and most recently received her Associate’s Degree in Spanish. She’s also extremely grateful to be part of the Dream Act which has helped to cover some academic expenses.
Rafaela’s primary goal is to be a Spanish teacher in the Coachella Valley and would ultimately like to continue studying for her Master’s Degree in Education.
Traisa Josephson
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2025
Traisa is a forty three year old wife, mother and student. She has been married for thirteen years and she and her husband have two daughters. Her girls are her greatest accomplishment in life.
Traisa has wanted to be a nurse for as long as she can remember. She is now in her second semester in the Nursing program at COD. She is working, caring for her children and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She plans on excelling in school and will graduate from COD in December 2025.
Traisa’s goal is to work for one of the hospitals in the Coachella Valley.
Cinthya De Luna
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025
Cinthya is working to obtain her degree in Nursing.
Cinthya is motivated by her supportive husband and four wonderful daughters. They have been a great support system to help her reach her goals. Her educational goals are to complete the RN program, receive an Oncology certificate and complete a BSN program.
She wants to continue working at Eisenhower Health in their Oncology Department. Cinthya realizes this is her greatest desire and she knows that her accomplishments, sacrifices, late night study sessions and sleepless nights will make this possible.
Maricela Carranza
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025
Maricela was born and raised in Indio. Her passion is in the health care field, and specifically Oncology.
She is now employed full time at Eisenhower Medical Center while going to school full time. She’s working towards her RN degree and ultimately her BSN degree in Oncology and volunteers with Street Medicine. Years passed until Maricela realized that should she never have given up on her dream of going to college.
She hopes to inspire her daughters and they continue to motivate her. They remind her on a daily basis how proud they are of their mother.
Melissa Martin Del Campo-Apodaca
College of the Desert/Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2025
Melissa is a 34 year old mother of three who grew up in the Coachella Valley.
Since returning to school she has graduated with High Honors, was placed on the Dean’s List on five different occasions for her high GPA and was granted a seat in the College of the Desert’s RN program on her first application.
Currently, Melissa would like to specialize in the NICU ward or cardiology.
She wants to give back to the community she grew up in and strives to be the best she can be for herself, all who support her, but also her Dad who passed away in 2018. She knows he would be so proud of her.
Laura Martin
UCR/Anthropological/Cultural Resource Management
Anticipated Graduation Date: 2027
“Miyiiha Netwaanyan’e Piionr Honuukvetam Nehiinkeeme Shiishongna tongvet Noon’e Tongvet aweeshkone xaa ekwaane xaa Neshuun’e xaa aweeshko Motaamenpo aweeshkone xaa.” This is Laura Martin’s introduction in her native language of Tongva.
Laura is on her tribal council, a member of her tribal nation and works on several committees that are involved in cultural resource management, land preservation and cultural preservation. She plans on graduating in Spring 2024 with her associate’s degree in preservation.
The motivation Laura has for completing her education is not only focused on herself and her children, but on her tribal nation and her people. Completing her degree will not only provide for her family but will provide a layer of security and support that is needed within her tribal nation and tribal family.
Ravin Cole
Post University Online/BSN
Anticipated Graduation Date: 2026
Ravin is the youngest and only daughter in a close-knit family of six. In 2013, her mother, Carol Levinson, made a courageous decision to return to school, determined to build a better future for their family. With the support of a GoGirl! Grant, Carol pursued her dream and successfully graduated from College of the Desert with a degree in Nursing. During this time, Ravin often accompanied her mother to GoGirl! Luncheons, where she was deeply inspired by the organization’s mission and the powerful stories shared by its members.
Now, life has come full circle for Ravin. Inspired by her mother’s journey and the support from GFF, she has discovered her own passion for nursing. In May 2024, Ravin earned her RN from Copper Mountain College and is currently advancing her education by working toward a BSN, with aspirations of eventually achieving her MSN.
Ravin is committed to giving back to the community that has profoundly impacted her life. She remains actively involved with the Girlfriend Factor, cherishing the sisterhood and support it provides, and looks forward to contributing to its mission of empowering women through education and opportunity.
Joselyn Cendejas
California Nurses Educational Institute/LVN
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2024
Joselyn was raised by a resilient single mother of four who survived domestic abuse. Witnessing her mother’s determination to return to school and become a Certified Nursing Assistant, and eventually graduate from the nursing program at CNEI, inspired Joselyn to follow a similar path in healthcare.
Driven by her mother’s example, Joselyn is currently pursuing her LVN degree at CNEI. Upon completing her LVN, she plans to further her education, earn her RN, and ultimately become a Nurse Practitioner with a specialization in pediatrics. Joselyn is passionate about giving back to her community and plans to practice in the Coachella Valley, where she can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.
Dima Karsly
CSUSB/BSN
Anticipated Graduation Date: June 2026
In 2016 Dima and her husband immigrated to the United States from Syria. Their journey was marked by profound loss, including the tragic death of Dima’s younger brother. Grateful to have survived the war and received asylum in the U.S., Dima has been motivated by her experiences to pursue a career in healthcare.
Currently, she is in her second semester of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at California State University, San Bernardino. Her immediate goal is to work as a bedside nurse in an emergency department, providing critical care in high-stakes situations. Looking ahead, Dima aims to further her education with a master’s degree and transition into a role as a Physician’s Assistant.
Dima is deeply appreciative of the support she has received throughout her journey and is committed to giving back to the community that welcomed her and her family.
Michelle Megalis
California Desert Trial Academy/Juris
Anticipated Graduation Date: June 2026
Michelle and her sister grew up in San Diego, facing significant challenges at home. School became her sanctuary, where she excelled academically, driven by her dream of pursuing a legal career.
After high school, Michelle moved to New York City, where she worked as a nanny for high-profile clients, though the aspiration of attending law school never faded. It was in New York that she met her husband. After they had a daughter, the family relocated to the Coachella Valley. With her husband’s unwavering support, Michelle enrolled at COD in the criminal justice program.
Now in her third year of the Juris Doctor program at the California Desert Trial Academy, Michelle specializes in trial law. Upon graduation, she aims to work in the Coachella Valley with the Innocence Program. Long-term, she hopes to contribute to a larger organization dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions.
Ashley Moore
Western Governor’s University Online/BSN
Anticipated Graduation Date: October 2025
Ashley proudly acknowledges her roots as a recipient of the Girlfriend Factor’s GoGirl! Grant. With this support, she earned her Nursing degree from College of the Desert in 2020. Over the past three years, Ashley has gained valuable experience working in the operating room at Eisenhower Medical Center and in addiction recovery at Hazelden Betty Ford.
She recently embarked on a new career path as the Clinic Supervisor for Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center in their Pain Management department. Concurrently, Ashley is advancing her education by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Western Governors University’s online program.
Driven by a passion for healthcare management, Ashley is committed to seeking opportunities for advancement. She remains an enthusiastic supporter of the Girlfriend Factor, advocating for its mission and impact.
Andrea Pass
CSUSB/BSN
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2026
Andrea Pass is currently studying at the University of San Bernardino’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. As a divorced mother of three, her journey has been challenging, yet it fuels her aspiration to become a nurse midwife and a lactation consultant. She’s been navigating life post-divorce with resilience, balancing school, work as a nursing assistant at Eisenhower Medical Center, and raising her children.
Despite the hardships of managing finances and emotional stress, her children motivate her to push forward. They are why she is committed to her education and future in healthcare.
She is thankful for the support from the Girlfriend Factor and its GoGirl! Grant, which allows her to concentrate on her studies and her children without financial strain. Her goal is to become a nurse, setting a strong example for her children, proving that dedication and hard work lead to success. She aims to inspire them, showing that anything is possible with determination and focus.
Lori Richerson
College of the Desert/AA in Alcohol and Drug Studies
Anticipated Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Lori Richerson was born in Hardin, Illinois, but has resided in the Coachella Valley since 1976. Living in the desert has shaped her journey through school and her entrepreneurial venture—a janitorial business—teaching her the value of hard work and dedication. Her career in the hospitality industry evolved from housekeeper to food & beverage manager over decades.
A layoff in 2014 pivoted her path to volunteering with Citizen’s On Patrol and battling personal challenges with alcoholism. In 2018, she embraced sobriety with the support of the Betty Ford Center, rekindling her passion for helping others. This led her back to the hospitality field and eventually to a role as a patient support technician at the same center. At 58, she is pursuing an associate degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling at the College of the Desert, aiming for a 2025 graduation. The GoGirl! grant supports her ongoing commitment to guiding others toward recovery.
Jennifer Ruiz
CNEI/LVN
Anticipated Graduation Date: April 2025
Jennifer Ruiz is a current LVN student at California Nurses Educational Institute. Despite facing numerous challenges, including her parents’ divorce, her mother’s struggle with substance abuse, and losing the family home, she persevered. At 19, she became a mother, lost her father to cirrhosis, and saw her son’s father imprisoned. These experiences fueled her determination to succeed. She returned to school, earned her MA certificate, and worked full-time to support her family.
Now, with a 17-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter, she is pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. She is dedicated to showing her children that no obstacle is insurmountable. Her goal is to graduate as an LVN and continue to become an RN, aiming to make a difference in the lives of others.
Monica Segura
San Joaquin Valley College/LVN
Anticipated Graduation Date: October 2024
Monica Segura is a Medical Assistant at Eisenhower Health in Palm Springs, CA, where she was raised. She is the first in her family to graduate from college, a milestone she reached with the help of Eisenhower Health, where she’s worked for eight years.
Despite the challenges of a demanding job, she recently started an LVN program, offered during night and weekend hours to accommodate her full-time job. The intense schedule, including classes after work and weekend clinicals, led her to transition to a per-diem position at Eisenhower, sacrificing her full-time benefits and tuition reimbursement. This difficult decision underlines her commitment to nursing, a dream fueled by years of healthcare experience.
Recently, she moved to the Hematology Oncology Clinic at Eisenhower, where she was encouraged to apply for the Girlfriend Factor Grant, an opportunity that supports her ongoing educational journey.
Erica Solis
College of the Desert/BA Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Date: June 2026
Erica Solis is a 34-year-old aspiring nurse. Twelve years ago, she moved to the Coachella Valley and started a family. Despite working and raising children, she also pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. She enrolled at College of the Desert in 2019, but her journey faced delays due to the pandemic and personal challenges.
Now, after four years, in May she proudly graduated with an associate’s degree in Health Science and another in Spanish. She’s also been provisionally accepted into the RN program at College of the Desert. Her passion for nursing was reinforced by caring for her father during his illness.
Receiving the Girlfriend Factor grant allows her to focus on her studies and achieve her goal of becoming a registered nurse, setting an example for her children and others.
Gladys Winfield
American Career College/AART Certified Radiology Technologist
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2025
Gladys was born in Los Angeles, the first in her family to be born in the U.S. As the middle child, she faced many challenges, including her father’s brain aneurysm when she was 16. Her mother had to work multiple jobs to support the family, while her older sister attended college. After high school, she joined the reserves to support her family, but had to leave when her father’s condition worsened.
Years later, after starting a family, she realized she needed to return to school to fulfill her dream of working in the medical field. In May 2023, she began a two-year radiology technician program at American Career College in Ontario, CA. For 14 years, she’s worked as a tech assistant at Eisenhower Imaging Center, where her coworkers have inspired her to pursue a career as a radiology technologist. Her goal is to specialize in interventional radiology, bringing compassion to patient care.