Jazmin Mendoza
I am a first-generation college student at Rice University currently on a leave of absence, using this time intentionally to grow professionally and deepen my commitment to community advocacy. Over the past year, I have served as an External Relations Fellow at Sonoma Academy, my alma mater, where I have led programming for first-generation students, managed institutional communications, and advocated directly to school leadership on issues of equity, representation, and student support.
At Rice, I co-chaired the Undocumented Student Task Force, where I organized legal consultation clinics and helped build support structures for some of our most vulnerable students. These experiences, alongside tutoring children in literacy and leading large-scale community initiatives, have strengthened my passion for advocacy and public service.
As a bilingual English and Spanish speaker, I bring strong communication skills, a deep commitment to serving others, and both lived experience and professional preparation to every opportunity. I hope to pursue a legal career focused on expanding access, opportunity, and justice for underserved communities.
Work History
External Relations Intern
1 Year 3 Months- Manage communications, outreach, and relationship-building initiatives across admissions, advancement, alumni relations, and community engagement programs
- Draft professional communications, marketing materials, donor correspondence, and event-related content for diverse audiences
- Coordinate events and programs for students, families, alumni, and institutional partners, overseeing logistics and stakeholder communication
- Represent the institution at admissions and community engagement events, serving as primary ambassador to prospective families and external constituents
- Lead programming and advocacy efforts for Sonoma Academy's Davis Scholars Program, supporting first-generation students through mentorship, institutional reform initiatives, and community-building
- Collaborate with senior administrators and community partners on strategic projects focused on outreach, engagement, and institutional advancement
Undocumented Student Task Force
2 Years 3 Months- Revived UndocuALLY Week, organizing campus-wide educational programming including "Know Your Rights" trainings and community screenings addressing shifting federal immigration policy
- Coordinated free, confidential legal consultations with a Houston law firm, connecting undocumented and DACA students with immigration attorneys and citizenship pathway guidance
- Structured the organization deliberately as a task force rather than a registered club to protect member privacy and shield citizenship status from institutional disclosure
- Collaborated with the Office of International Students and Scholars and the Student Wellbeing Office to connect students with mental health support and immigration resources
Sid Richardson College Socials Committee Chair
1 Year- Planned and executed a large-scale community event drawing 1,000+ attendees, managing all logistics from concept through execution
- Managed a $5,000+ event budget and secured $1,000 in sponsorships through outreach to 10+ local businesses
- Coordinated two major entertainment acts, including a live band and DJ, overseeing contracts, scheduling, and day-of production
- Recruited and led a volunteer team of 20+ students, delegating responsibilities for event setup and operations
- Collaborated with five+ university departments — including RUPD, REMS, Housing & Dining, and Emergency Management — to arrange on-site EMS presence, security coverage, and full compliance with campus event protocols
America Reads Tutor
7 Months- Mentored and tutored Houston-area elementary school children in reading and literacy through Rice University's federally funded America Reads initiative
- Provided consistent one-on-one academic support to strengthen foundational literacy skills in under-resourced communities
- Selected through Federal Work-Study program as part of Rice's Center for Civic Leadership community engagement efforts