LEAD opens doors to professional growth for first-gen students
When Denae Rivera ’25 touched down in Los Angeles for one of the country’s most innovative design and marketing conferences, she looked forward to celebrity keynote speeches and hands-on workshops. By the time she returned home to Santa Clara, she had gained far more: meaningful connections, a renewed sense of confidence, and strategic marketing skills she hopes to apply to a career in sports public relations.
This trip was made possible by 91快活林’s LEAD Scholars Program, an on-campus organization that supports first-generation college students in their academic and professional development. Rivera was accepted to the program after transferring to Santa Clara as a junior from Gavilan College.
Founded in 2003, LEAD was originally designed to give freshmen who are the first in their families to go to college the chance to move in early, acclimate to campus life, and learn about available resources. Since then, the program has steadily expanded its support throughout all four years, a shift that positively shaped Rivera’s college experience.
At first, she thought LEAD would simply help her adjust to a new school, but it quickly became a nurturing community that provided opportunities beyond the classroom. Through its Koret Fellowship Program, LEAD recently began awarding stipends for unpaid internships and funding for immersion programs, independent research, and conferences like the one Rivera went to in Los Angeles.
Canva Create, the annual conference hosted by the popular online design platform, Canva, drew thousands of designers, influencers, and marketing professionals to SoFi Stadium for an immersive one-day, festival-style extravaganza. The event featured inspirational talks from Guy Raz, renowned journalist, and Cynthia Erivo, Grammy-award winning singer and actress, along with more than 60 interactive sessions on topics ranging from brand strategy and innovative storytelling to technology and artificial intelligence.
“Canva Create helped me break out of my shell and get comfortable with networking,” says Rivera, who attended the event with five fellow LEAD scholars. “I learned to see the value in being my true authentic self. Not only do I have the skills to succeed, but I should also feel proud of myself for making it this far.”
She says being able to travel to Canva Create cost-free was emblematic of the support she’s received from the program over the past two years. Rivera is especially grateful for the guidance LEAD offers transfer students like her, who often miss out on key aspects of the traditional college experience. Access to campus resources that foster belonging and academic success is essential for these students who have a shorter timeframe to make the most of on-campus opportunities.
"The community built by students and staff is what makes LEAD so strong. It really helped my find my footing at Santa Clara," says Rivera.
Rivera graduated from Santa Clara this spring with a Bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in religious studies. Looking ahead, she hopes to leverage the connections she made at Canva Create to land an internship in sports PR.
The LEAD Scholars Program is for first-generation college students focused on academic success, community engagement and vocational exploration. This program is open to both first-year students and transfer students with the goal of supporting them throughout their college career.
