Born in Mexico, Araceli moved to North Carolina in 2006 where she discovered her love for amphibians and reptiles while in high school. Her study abroad experiences in places like Peru and Spain convinced her of the dire need for international partnerships to protect wildlife and natural landscapes. She recently graduated from the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan with a Master of Science in Conservation Ecology. Araceli is a first-generation graduate that aims to empower underrepresented communities with the tools and knowledge necessary for them to become stewards of their natural heritage. She aspires to become a wildlife conservationist and a future Latina leader in the field of resources management. She is also extremely enthusiastic about mentoring opportunities and always looks forward to helping younger generations navigate the college admissions process. She loves to explore the outdoors through bird watching, gardening with her dad, and hiking. Overall, her passion for the environment and a diversity of cultures drives her commitment to creating a more sustainable and just world.