Alexia Frometa is a first-year graduate student at the University of Houston pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work. She is also pursuing her dual degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in Public Health. She is interested in the intersection between social work and public health, specifically the effects of social and systemic factors on states of physical and mental health. She has a background in research and currently works as a facilitator for a class focused on financial education for high school girls. Alexia feels passionate about educating and empowering youth to be active members of their own lives and communities and is excited to be part of the CONNECT program.

Alexia is working for American Youthworks this for her fellowship project. 

Chanta Gosby is currently a Second-Year Graduate student at the University of Houston where she is pursuing Social Work.  She is also a first-generation college student/graduate and native Houstonian. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, TX and is a part of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, INC. Being that she grew up in a lower socioeconomic status household, she has a passion for helping individuals reach their best quality of life. She currently works with individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness while also battling their mental health. She plans to one day start her own non-profit in which she would like to provide outreach and free to low-cost counseling to individuals who grew up in the same neighborhoods in which she did. 

Chanta is working with East Harris County Empowerment Council for her fellowship project.

Alice Navarro is a second year student in the Master of Social Work Hybrid program at the Graduate College of Social Work. She is interested in both clinical and macro approaches to social work practice as well as social determinants of health. She has worked in the nonprofit field for over a decade and is currently working as a Rehabilitation Specialist in Adult Behavioral Health at Integral Care in Austin. Alice feels passionately about elevating and supporting the community so she is excited to be part of the CONNECT program.

Alice is working with Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County for her fellowship project.

Duc Nguyen has been an undergraduate at the University of Houston since Fall 2021. He will graduate in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor's in Psychology along with Honors in Major designation. In addition, he is also pursuing a master's degree in Public Policy as part of the MPP Program. 

As an international student from Vietnam, Duc is intrigued by the political system and social issues in America. Since August 2021, he has been working as a research assistant for the Hobby School of Public Affairs. 

Duc is working with American Youthworks for his project.

Esneider Pesca is a second-year graduate student at the University of Houston pursuing a Master's degree in Public Policy. He has specialized in the evaluation of public policies in social protection, labor market, and social policies, he has also focused his research on fiscal policy affairs.

Esneider graduated from the University Saint Thomas of Bogota-Colombia with a Master's degree in Social Protection in 2015 and a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 2013. Before beginning his studies at UH he was a professor of economics for 6 years at the University of Saint Thomas. He has been a researcher for the Socio-economics Research Group of institutions and development of the Development Research Center (CID) of the National University of Colombia, he has also been a researcher for the Foundation for the development of health and social security in Colombia (FEDESALUD), He has also worked as a participant in the CEPCIGER Foundation where public policy recommendations are made on aging and old age issues in Latin America. Esneider is very excited to be part of the CONNECT program team.

Esneider is working with the Nature Discovery Center for her fellowship project.