Women and young women of ‘Impact’ unite at inaugural event to foster connections and inclusivity
Young women making a difference in their high schools and surrounding communities now have a better sense of how their compassion, dedication and exploration can shape their future.
Lisa Romero, associate vice president for research communications and marketing, speaks with YWOI/WOI honorees at the inaugural luncheon and speaker panel event on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Ryan Hunt
Talented young women from public high schools across Southern Arizona gathered alongside U of A faculty and staff recognized for work that champions interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship and inclusivity.
TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Office of Research, Innovation & Impact (RII) welcomed its Young Women of Impact (YWOI) and Women of Impact (WOI) honorees to a special networking luncheon and speaker panel celebrating women at all stages in their lives and careers.
YWOI/WOI honorees listen to speakers at the luncheon event.
Ryan Hunt
Talented young women from public high schools across Southern Arizona gathered alongside U of A faculty and staff recognized for work that champions interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship and inclusivity. Together, these women began creating bonds that transcend generations and pave the way for continued impact across our state and beyond.
Lisa Romero, associate vice president for research communications and marketing, envisioned adding a Young Women of Impact component to an already established Women of Impact initiative.
“I had the privilege to lead another successful high school internship program on campus and saw firsthand how the students flourished when given the opportunity to engage with inspiring university faculty and staff,” said Romero. “The motivation to grow the Young Women of Impact initiative is in continuing to build a sense of shared purpose and community. These high school students are already exceptional, so imagine what they can do with built-in mentorship and a better understanding of what career paths are available to them.”
This additional, inaugural event held on Saturday, Nov. 2 provided the venue to build a bridge between women just beginning to think about potential college or job paths and those in the prime of their career. YWOI from Pima, Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties were able to connect with university leaders thanks to a grant from the Commission on the Status of Women.
YWOI honoree Shannon Frost conversing with other WOI while enjoying lunch.
Ryan Hunt
“These opportunities open doors for young women, like me and others, who didn’t even know that programs like this existed,” said Shannon Frost, a senior at Benson High School. “Since YWOI includes a focus on rural schools, it also opens doors for women who may not have been able to have this opportunity otherwise.”
Frost’s nomination described her as a dedicated student-athlete and leader involved in Track and Field, Future Farmers of America and National Honor Society. She was also chosen as a delegate for the American Legion's Auxiliary Girls State Program.
Jazmine Jesson, YWOI honoree, poses in front of a WOI banner with her luncheon guest, Marsha Skinner.
Ryan Hunt
At the event, Romero welcomed Daniella Mendoza DellaGiustina, principal investigator for NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission, to deliver the keynote address. A panel discussion moderated by Romero featured four WOI awardees: Nadia Alvarez Mexia, assistant professor of practice in the W.A. Franke Honors College; Jessica Barnes, assistant professor in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory; Judith Su, associate professor in the Wyant College of Optical Sciences; and Gayatri Vedantam, professor in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Members of the panel then fielded questions from YWOI honorees in the audience.
“I love talking to these women and hearing their stories because it creates more of a community,” said Jazmine Jesson, a senior at Santa Rita High School. “The feeling of being all in this together as women is hard to find anywhere else.”
WOI honorees, Keri Miller (left), Christina Kalel, Lisa Elfring and Amanda Bernal (right) pose together at the celebratory luncheon.
Ryan Hunt
Jesson is president of the Diesel Club and a Tucson Youth Leadership Academy participant, according to her nomination. She is graduating with 24 college credits and has hands-on experience in both diesel repair and veterinary science.
WOI honoree Lisa Elfring, vice provost for instruction and assessment at the university, is a leader in biology education and instructional innovation. Known for her impactful work in evaluating teaching methods through campus-wide initiatives, she believes that connecting and sharing stories is what make the YWOI/WOI programs so special.
“I had lots of support when I was coming up at every stage along the way, so I think that’s really an incredible gift to pass on,” Elfring said. “It's important to remind these young women that they should take themselves seriously and that other people should take them seriously too. I have three daughters, and I want them to remember that.”
Confidence and believing in yourself as a woman is something that YWOI honoree Ailanie Figueroa learned within her musical community. Figueroa, a senior at Tucson High Magnet School, stands out as the lead trumpet player for Mariachi Rayos del Sol, excelling in a traditionally male-dominated role. She mentors younger musicians and serves on the Student Advisory Council for the Tucson International Mariachi Conference.
YWOI honoree Ailanie Figueroa poses with her luncheon guest, Florinda Torres.
Ryan Hunt
“I think my advice is just to be confident because you deserve to be here; you deserve to be anywhere,” Figueroa said. “You should never feel like you don’t belong. Know that it is an honor for them to have you.”
A complete list of the 2024 WOI cohort can be found here. More information about the YWOI program, including details on the nomination process can be found here.