I am a third generation, Chicano, researcher/practioner from Salt Lake City, UT. As a social worker in my hometown, I have been fortunate enough to serve alongside many in my community, doing my best to help make Utah feel like a home for all of us. I have served in many roles and worked in multiple types of systems, which contributes to my perspective that we are all connected; your success is my success too. I look forward to continuing my work as both a professor in the department of Education, Culture & Society, and as the associate director of community engaged scholarship & evaluation at University Neighborhood Partners. Both appointments provide me with different ways to create an impact in our community, I hope to continue to work with others that share the same goal from both academic and community perspectives.