Lorena serves the GEAR UP O+K=C team as a College Coach in Oklahoma City Public Schools. In this role, she follows the Check & Connect Student Engagement Intervention Model in mentoring students who need additional support to help them achieve consistent school attendance and academic success. She works directly with families, school staff, and community service providers to connect students to resources and remove barriers, with the long-term goal of preparation for post-secondary education. As a first-generation college graduate, Lorena strongly believes in the power of education in changing students’ lives. She has previously served in roles that empower students to pursue their education, including working as a coordinator for OSU-OKC TRIO Talent Search and serving as an AmeriCorps member with a literacy nonprofit. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, volunteering, dancing, and fostering dogs. Lorena earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Oklahoma State University.