Soy Elizabeth Pérez,

I was born in Mexico City, and in 1994, at the young age of 15, I arrived in this country. I know perfectly well how difficult it is to want to communicate and not be able to, but learning to advocate for myself and raise my voice opened the doors that I am grateful for today. After graduating from Rogers High School, I set out to master English, and since then, my mission has been clear: to ensure that no one else has to feel the way I did. I want our community to have job opportunities, to learn a second language, and to never stop seeking education.

Although I did not follow a traditional college career path, my passion for the healthcare field has led me to continuously earn certifications to serve others. I hold certifications in Mental Health to support both youth and adults, I recently became certified in the DEEP program for diabetes prevention, and I am a proud Community Health Worker (CHW). I am deeply passionate about helping people in any situation. Arkansas United has given me that push and drive that I once thought was no longer possible.

On a personal note, I share my life with my husband, Juan Carlos, and my three wonderful children, who are my greatest motivation. My big dream has always been to see them achieve a university education. Today, I look with immense pride at one of my dreams coming true: seeing my oldest daughter graduate with a Major. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology. Meanwhile, my son Christian is following in those footsteps in college with the big dream of becoming a professional soccer player—a sport I love watching him play—and my little one, Breanna, is ready to start her own big dream. Spending time with them is my favorite hobby. I firmly believe that when we educate ourselves and support one another, we transform our lives.