Invited by the Graduate College through the College of Education, Vanessa presented to an audience of more than 60 new graduate students. In this session, she addressed diverse questions about navigating graduate life, shared her academic insights and personal experiences, and served as a mentor to students at the very beginning of their graduate journey..

Vanessa participated in a mentoring panel with a cohort of 12 undergraduate students (10 in the social sciences and 2 in STEM) who aspire to pursue PhD programs. Through this UROC summer research and graduate preparation program, she shared her experiences and responded to prompts designed to guide students on their path to graduate education.

Every Sunday, Vanessa volunteers as a catechist, working with nearly 20 students from Grade 7 to Grade 9. This role allows her to contribute to the spiritual and personal development of youth while fostering community bonds.

It has also become a space where she engages with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, many of whom do not have English as their primary language. This experience has prompted her to reflect deeply on accessibility, bilingual education, and inclusion, as she considers how to respect and support bilingual learners in ways that affirm their identities and ensure equitable participation.

As part of the recently created executive direction, Vanessa supports a growing community of 20 members. In this role, she helps African and international students navigate life at the University of Arizona, build community, and give back to the society that welcomes them. Her leadership has been a way to shape manifestations of international student inclusion and community building within the university. This commitment is already reflected in her first presentation with PEP – Integrated Care Organization, which provides group home living environments and individualized residential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through this engagement, Vanessa has learned about their comprehensive home and community-based services and has begun exploring how to build relationships with such organizations, support their efforts, and volunteer her expertise in special education as a way of giving back.