Zenaida De La Cruz 

CHCI Public Policy Fellow

Presented by Amazon  

Hometown: Caldwell, Idaho 

School: Villanova University 

Degree: B.A in Sociology 

Placement: House Committee on Education and the Workforce 

Zenaida De La Cruz (she/her) was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho, in a close-knit Mexican community that shaped her deep pride in her Chicana identity. Inspired by her parents’ work ethic and her own lived experiences, she became passionate about increasing educational access for first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students.  

Zenaida went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with minors in Criminology, Peace & Justice, and Public Administration from Villanova University. On campus, she was an active member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., cultivating a space where women of color could thrive at a predominantly white institution. While in college, Zenaida became a published author in Today’s Inspired Young Latina, Vol. IV, sharing her story as a first-generation college student navigating identity and access. She later conducted research on the school-to-prison pipeline, focusing on how punitive school discipline practices disproportionately impact Black and Brown students. After graduation, Zenaida served as a College Guidance Coordinator for the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, supporting high-achieving students from under-resourced backgrounds during the early stages of the college application process. She then returned home to work as an Education Support Professional at her former middle school, supporting students with special needs, and also wrote for Boise State News. A proud TRIO Upward Bound alumna, she continues to mentor students at her former high school. 

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Zenaida hopes to deepen her understanding of the legislative process and pursue a career in education policy, continuing her lifelong mission to advocate for equity and opportunity in education. She also hopes to serve as a representation for her community and a reminder of what opportunity can afford, especially for those who have historically been left behind.