Janeth Santos
Program Manager
Janeth joined the New Mexico Simon Scholars Program, where she serves as High School Program Manager, in July 2017. She is a first-generation student, an alum of the Simon Scholars program, and a 2011 graduate of Capital High School. She attended the University of New Mexico, where she pursued her degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics.
After earning her degree in 2015, she worked as a mentor for high school students at College Plaza at Santa Fe High School. Janeth is very passionate about helping other students like herself surpass the barriers to obtain a higher education.
Ximena Valencia
Program Coordinator, Albuquerque
Ximena is a first-generation college graduate and former Simon Scholar whose journey has come full circle. After participating in the program during the COVID-19 pandemic, she went on to attend the University of Denver where she earned a degree in Marketing with a minor in Art. During college, she also had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy, an experience that allowed her to grow beyond her comfort zone.
Ximena is drawn to the ways people connect through art, culture and storytelling. She values empathy, meaningful relationships, and creating spaces where people feel understood and encouraged. Having experienced firsthand how much a supportive community can shape a student’s journey, she hopes to offer that same encouragement to others. For Ximena returning to Simon Scholars is more than a professional milestone; it is an opportunity to give back to a community that was once part of her own story.