Erica J. Zamora

Erica J Zamora (she/her) serves as the AZ HSI Consortium Graduate Assistant. As a first-generation Chicana from farming working parents, Erica believes education is a tool that allows students to better themselves and their communities. Erica’s values are rooted in social justice, community organizing, and research. Her approach to HSI work is through a holistic and intersectional framework that brings racial equity and justice to marginalized students.

Erica’s values inform her research and practice; therefore, she centers the voices and experiences of communities that are often overlooked in higher education. Erica’s experience in the McNair Scholars Program, Pathways Fellows Program, and Students for Quality Education all inform her decisions to research and advocate for campus resources to better support marginalized students. In her previous position as a Research Lead for the HSI Title V Grant at Sacramento City College, Erica applied a social justice framework to research and practice by centering student perspectives. Erica utilizes data to inform institutional leaders of the benefits of HSI programs and highlight the equitable practices that foster student success in community colleges.

Erica graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Sacramento, a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of San Francisco and is currently a second-year student in the Higher Education PhD Program at The University of Arizona. Erica is happy to join the HSI Initiatives Office and looks forward to contributing to the Wildcat community.