Francisca

Francisca is originally from Salasaka, an Indigenous community in Tungurahua, Ecuador. She has always been deeply connected to her heritage and committed to advocating for her people.

Before migrating to the United States, she dedicated herself to education and cultural preservation. She led initiatives promoting Indigenous rights, represented her community as a candidate for the National Assembly with the Pachakutik Movement, and played a key role in the UNESCO certification of the Tungurahua Volcano Geopark.

Arriving in Madison brought new challenges, but Francisca remained determined. She turned to the Latino Academy of Workforce Development for support in navigating the job market and Madison College’s education system.

"I am deeply grateful to the Latino Academy for their support," she shares. "Their program coordinators guided me through the job application process and taught me how to use the Indeed platform successfully. Thanks to their help, I secured an interview with FUTURA. They also connected me with resources from partner organizations, allowing me to join the BMC eCornell Certificate Program, a crucial step in advancing my career.