About Us

Armando Aguilar López

Armando Aguilar López grew up in East San Jose, where he attended James Lick High School. He received the San Juan Diego Scholarship in 2014 and graduated from Santa Clara University in 2018 with a B.S. in Economics. After SCU, Armando obtained his J.D. from UC Davis School of Law. He currently works as an Immigration Defense Attorney at the Contra Costa Public Defender’s Office, where he handles complex imigration removal defense and a federal litigation and advises criminal defense attorneys. He sits on the advisory counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association

NorCal Chapter.

Julian Cabrera

Julian Cabrera grew up in San Jose, attending Bellarmine College Preparatory. Julian received the San Juan Diego Scholarship in 2016 and graduated from Santa Clara University in 2020 with a B.S. in Accounting. Julian is a Certified Public Accountant currently working at Nokia Inc. as a Revenue Accountant. In his role he analyzes and prepares financial reports specifically for revenue related activity in accordance with established accounting standards. In his personal time Julian enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and running. Julian also enjoys trying new restaurants with dishes from different cultures.

Marisol Chavez

Marisol Maturino Chavez serves as the Program Director for Arrupe Engagement. Her primary responsibilities include cultivating and maintaining reciprocal and mutually beneficial working relationships with a variety of community partners to welcome Santa Clara University students as part of their community engaged learning experience. These community engaged learning experiences are rooted in humility, empathy, and compassion and help students learn about real world issues while supporting organizations that are moving forward with positive social justice change for our neighbors in the Bay Area. 

Marisol earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Health from San Jose State University. Recently she has returned to her alma mater and is working on her Master’s of Science degree in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education. Before her role with Santa Clara University, Marisol worked in a variety of community health settings to increase access to educational tools and resources for marginalized communities.

During her free time, she enjoys going to Zumba class, visiting local parks, and spending time with family and friends.

Leandra Cuoto

Leandra Couto serves as the Assistant Director at Mission Santa Clara, where she brings warmth, leadership, and deep community roots. Born and raised in San José, Leandra transferred from Mission College and graduated from Santa Clara University in 2023 with a B.A. in Communication as a proud LEAD Scholar and San Juan Diego Scholarship recipient. With more than ten years of experience in customer service and nonprofit work, Leandra has consistently focused on uplifting underserved communities throughout the Bay Area. Her passion for advocacy, human rights, and cultural preservation drives her work and her commitment to building bridges through faith and service.

Itzayanna Garcia

Itzayanna Garcia is a dedicated and passionate young woman from South San Jose who is deeply committed to her community, service, and advocacy. Itzayanna graduated from Archbishop Mitty High School and was awarded the San Juan Diego Scholarship in 2025. She is currently in her first year at Santa Clara University, where she is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Spanish. She is part of the LEAD Scholars program, which supports first generation students like herself navigate college life while preparing them for the professional world. In addition to the scholars program she is actively involved in the university's folklorico club, where she practices weekly. Her love for dance extends outside of her academics as she has a job as a folklorico teacher at Holy Spirit School teaching young students once a week and helps them connect to the diversity of the cultural heritage. Itzayanna aspires to become an immigration lawyer so she can advocate and support her communities. On her own time, outside of school and work, she loves working out, going on hikes, and spending time with her family.

Araceli M. Gutierrez

Julia Islas-Lozano

Julia Islas-Lozano, is from the Eastside San José community and attended Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School. She received the San Juan Diego Scholarship in 2022 and is a current senior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Child Studies with a minor in Ethnic Studies. Julia plans on attending Santa Clara University School of Education and Counseling Psychology, where she will earn a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential with a Bilingual Authorization. Julia has been involved on campus with the LEAD Scholars Program serving as a CTW English Peer Educator and Mentor, Future Teachers Program in the Child Studies Department, Ignatian Center as a Student Assistant for the Arrupe Department. Outside of her academics she loves spending time with her family and friends, and loves being outdoors and going to local coffee shops.  

Vanessa Hernandez

Yesenia "Yesi" Magdaleno-Solis

Yesenia “Yesi” Magdaleno-Solis is a dedicated community builder staff and alumna, class of 2020, at Santa Clara University. Building on a diverse academic foundation, she holds a B.S. in Sociology and a B.A. in Spanish Studies, alongside a Masters of Business Administration, which informs her nuanced approach to engagement and advocacy. 

Currently, Yesenia serves within SCU’s Alumni Relations department. In this role, she oversees volunteer management and event coordination for a wide-reaching network including: several identity-based alumni groups, fostering inclusive spaces for diverse graduates and across regional alumni communities to maintain the Bronco spirit. 

When she isn’t balancing the demands of graduate school and professional life, Yesenia leans into her creative and social passions. She is an avid en plein air painter, enjoying beautiful Bay Area recreation areas and capturing them on canvas. She also finds inspiration in the simple joys of life, whether that’s catching up with friends over coffee, exploring local beaches, or experimenting with new flavors in the kitchen.

Zaira Solorio-Meza