Zujaila Ornelas

About Zujaila Ornelas

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Zujaila Ornelas obtained her Associate\'s in Political Science from Pima Community College, where she was nominated and selected as a 2016 All Arizona Academic Team Scholarship recipient by the Arizona Board of Regents. This full tuition scholarship led her to pursue a Bachelor\'s in Political Science from the University of Arizona, graduating magna cum laude.Her work in, and passion for higher education led her to obtain a Master\'s in Higher Education from Arizona State University (ASU), where she had the privilege to work as the Student Recruitment and Family Engagement Coordinator for ASU\'s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). In this role, Dr. Ornelas guided and supported over 200 migratory youth with the college application process. Inspired by her resilient migratory students, Dr. Ornelas furthered her education by pursuing and obtaining a Doctorate\'s in Educational Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University.Prior to joining WestEd as Program Manager, Dr. Ornelas served as the State Director of the Migrant Education Program with the Arizona Department of Education, where she led the development and implementation of strategies, evidence-based practices, and services catering to the unique needs of Arizona migratory children and youth.As the granddaughter of a migratory farmworker, she is committed to ensuring our migratory children and youth reach and attain challenging academic standards that will prepare them for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment. Her purpose is to empower the migratory community to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in, and remember that, Si Se Puede!

Experience

1. Program Manager, English Learners and Migrant Education Services

   WestEd

   Dec 2023 — Present

   Contribute to the design and delivery of systems change efforts, evaluation, and continuous improvement services, ensuring alignment with MES priorities, resources, operations, goals and outcomes, to meet the needs of our diverse clients- Support State Educational Agencies (SEAs) and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) with development and implementation of training, networked learning, and technical assistance to provide deep and reflective learning among professionals across a number of areas (e.g, federal MEP Identification and Recruitment policies and reporting requirements, state and local MEP comprehensive needs assessments and state delivery plans, and federal monitoring.)- Develop high quality and compelling training materials, toolkits, briefs, reports, and other resources focused on migratory students that raise awareness, change attitudes, and motivate professionals to take action- Develop, design, and implement evaluation-related support activities including virtual and offsite evaluation activities (e.g, conducting interviews, focus groups, observations, and disseminating surveys; completing data analysis, and writing reports)- Collaborate with the Migrant Education Services Director, MES evaluation team and other thought leaders to develop an applied research agenda centered on the integration of research and practice to meet the unique needs of migratory students- Contribute to the conceptualization and writing of applied research/evaluation on grants and proposals to multiple funding sources (e.g, federal, state, local or foundation)- Provide consultation and coaching to state, local, and other education agencies that lead to impactful and equitable implementation of education practices and improved program quality- Participate in business development opportunities by identifying and cultivating potential client relationships, co-developing/leading proposals, supporting brand awareness, and designing marketing materials.

Education

• University of Arizona

  Bachelor's degree (BA), Political Science and Government

  2014 — 2016

• Nogales High School

  AP/Honors Diploma, General Studies

  2008 — 2012

• Arizona State University

  Master’s Degree, Higher and Postsecondary Education Administration

  2016

• Pima Community College

  Associate of Arts (AA), Political Science with a Concentration in American Politics

  2012 — 2014

• Arizona State University

  Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership and Innovation

  2018 — 2021

Skills

• Public Policy
• Student Organizations
• Community Outreach
• Public Speaking
• Microsoft Office
• Politics
• Customer Service
• Student Engagement
• Higher Education
• Student Retention
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Program Development
• Family Studies
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Student Leadership Training
• Event Planning
• Editing
• Student Development
• Higher Education Recruitment
• Teaching
• Nonprofits
• Student Outreach
• Academic Advising
• Student Conduct
• Family Law
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Political Science
• Fundraising
• Student Affairs
• Public Administration
• Powerpoint
• Student Programming
• Research