Skip to main content

Nepantla Student Association

Asociación Estudiantil Nepantla

Our Mission 

The Nepantla Student Association is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting multicultural, Hispanic, and Latin student identities within the W.A. Franke Honors College and the surrounding University of Arizona community. Rooted in cultural heritage and higher education, NSA fosters meaningful dialogue, academic support, and a safe community space for students navigating cultural, professional, academic, and personal transitions.
Everyone is welcome!

Nuestra Misión

La Asociación Estudiantil Nepantla (NSA- siglas en inglés) se dedica a celebrar y promover las identidades multiculturales, hispanas y latinas de los estudiantes en la Facultad de Honores W.A. Franke  y la comunidad circundante en la Universidad de Arizona. Arraigada en el patrimonio cultural y la educación superior, la NSA fomenta un diálogo significativo, apoyo académico y un espacio comunitario seguro para los estudiantes que atraviesan transiciones culturales, profesionales, académicas y personales.
¡Todos son bienvenidos!
A message from our Franke Dean
"Nepantla creates the kind of space where our amazing students don't just find belonging here; they actively build it together. As a student-led community building group, the NSA helps students cultivate cultural capital while showing us that the most meaningful education emerges when students take ownership of their own growth and create community around shared purpose. These students exemplify what is best in our Franke Honors Wildcats. Future leaders, change-makers and people who will have an impact."
Dr. John Pollard, Spring 2026

Our Leadership

Gabi Headshot

Gabriella (Gabi) Arroyo, President

Honors College, Psychology Major | Sociology Minor | ACE Minor, Spring 2026
“Being a part of Nepantla has meant friendship, motivation and belonging. Before college, I didn’t feel I had a community that truly understood my personal journey, but through NSA, I’ve found not only support, but a space that helps me create meaningful impact from our diverse perspectives.”
Rebecca Headshot

Rebecca Valencia, Vice President

Honors College, Screened & Live Performance Major | Spanish & Portuguese Major, Spring 2026
“Nepantla builds a world for me. It is a word of so many meanings and interpretations. I believe in these open spaces the best visions are created. I am honored to serve and represent this beautiful community that strives for my every motive.” 
Camila Headshot

Camila Zepeda, Treasurer

Honors College, Physiology & Medical Sciences Major | Health & Human Values Minor, Spring 2026
“I joined NSA my freshman year with the hopes of finding community and making new friends and I can happily say that I have found something even better; a new family. I recommend joining NSA because of its intersectionality between members; we have majors from all over campus and find ways to bridge gaps between who we are inside and outside of UA.” 
Arissa Headshot

Arissa Perucho, Secretary

Honors College, Medicine Major | Human Development and Family Science Minor, Spring 2026
“When I was introduced to Nepantla, I was met with genuine, kind, and supportive people who made me feel connected to Honors in ways I hadn’t felt before. As a Hispanic Honors Student at an HSI, Nepantla has given me opportunities for leadership, service, and community and it has truly been a rewarding experience!”
Shelby Headshot

Shelby Snow, Graphic Designer

College of Psychology Major | Special Education and Rehabilitation Minor, Spring 2026
“I joined Nepantla to find a community of people who truly welcomed me, shared similar ideologies, and participated in activities that benefited our community. Since I first joined the e-board in Fall 2025, this club has been more than I could have imagined, thanks to the connections I’ve made with other members and the outreach events I’ve been involved in.”
Dailyn Headshot

Dailyn Breschini Avila, Juntos Representative

Honors College, Psychology Major | Human Development and Family Science Minor, Spring 2026
“I love being in Nepantla as it is such a welcoming atmosphere for all people to join and develop community in a fun and positive way.”
Andrea headshot

Andrea Hernandez, Consultant

Honors College, Molecular and Cellular Biology Major | Biochemistry Major, Spring 2026
"Nepantla helped me understand that my background and personal story are worthy of respect and sharing. I found a community that has similar interests, values, and work towards an amazing mission. It was like finding a piece of home at college!”

NSA History
The Nepantla Student Association was founded in 2022 when a group of students recognized a significant need within the W.A. Franke Honors College community. What began as a shared conversation among friends quickly grew into a student organization grounded in cultural affirmation, mutual support, and advocacy. Through word‑of‑mouth, intentional outreach, and a shared commitment to inclusivity, NSA expanded into a space where students could find belonging while navigating the complexities of higher education. Since its founding, Nepantla has continued to grow as a platform for connection, collaboration, and empowerment within the Honors College and beyond.
Historia de NSA
La Asociación Estudiantil Nepantla se fundó en el año 2022 cuando un grupo de estudiantes identificó una necesidad importante dentro de la comunidad de la Facultad de Honores W.A. Franke. Lo que comenzó como una conversación entre amigos se convirtió rápidamente en una organización estudiantil basada en la afirmación cultural, el apoyo mutuo y la servicio. A través de la comunicación boca a boca, la difusión intencionada y un compromiso compartido con la inclusión, la NSA se expandió hasta convertirse en un espacio donde los estudiantes pueden sentirse parte de una comunidad mientras afrontan las complejidades de la educación superior. Desde su fundación, Nepantla ha seguido creciendo como plataforma para la conexión, la colaboración y el empoderamiento dentro de la Facultad de Honores y más allá de esta entidad.

What does Nepantla mean?
Nepantla is a term from the Nahuatl language meaning “tierra entre medio,” or a space of in-between-ness. 
For the Nepantla Student Association (NSA), it represents the experience of living between cultures, languages, identities, systems, etc. We understand it as a space where students can honor their cultural identities and bridge the gap to other communities to uplift others. We advocate for the strategic allocation of existing and new resources to better support students navigating ‘in-between’ identities and work to increase their visibility across campus.
¿Qué significa Nepantla?
Nepantla es un término en Náhuatl que significa “estar en medio” o un espacio de transición.
Para la Asociación Estudiantil Nepantla (NSA), representa la experiencia de vivir entre culturas, idiomas, identidades, sistemas, etc. Lo entendemos como un espacio donde los estudiantes pueden honrar sus identidades culturales y tender puentes hacia otras comunidades para apoyar a otros. Abogamos por la asignación estratégica de recursos existentes y nuevos para brindar un mejor apoyo a los estudiantes que transitan entre diferentes identidades y trabajamos para aumentar su visibilidad en todo el campus.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nadia Alvarez Mexia, Assistant Professor of Practice & HHSI Principal Investigator, W.A. Franke Honors College, University of Arizona
  • Diana Ayala, Co‑Founder
    Junior studying Physiology and Gender & Women’s Studies
  • Paloma Valencia, Co‑Founder
    Nursing student
  • Lisett Montaño, Co‑Founder
    Junior studying Biochemistry and Portuguese
  • Ethan Tran, Co‑Founder
    Junior studying Physiology with a minor in Film & Television
  • Andrea Hernandez, President Fall 2024-Fall 2025  
    Honors College, Molecular and Cellular Biology Major | Biochemistry Major

Contact

Email Nepantla Student Association

To stay up to date on Nepantla news + events, check out our social media.

Follow @uaz.nepantla on Instagram