Fernanda Pérez is pursuing a master’s degree in education policy and planning at The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Veracruz, her local public university in Mexico, and subsequently embarked on a career as an English teacher. Pérez has contributed her expertise to both public and private institutions in the city of Xalapa. Her dedication to education extended to her role as an intern in the National English Program in Mexico, where she played a vital role in the selection process of English teachers in the state of Veracruz in 2021. With a diverse background in various educational settings, Pérez developed a keen interest in educational policy, leading her to secure the prestigious Fulbright-Garcia Robles grant for graduate studies at UT Austin. More recently, Pérez has served as a graduate assistant in the student conduct and academic integrity department within the Office of the Dean of Students at the university. Through the Graduate Archer Fellowship, she aspires to deepen her understanding of federal structures to address systemic issues in education and advocate for equal learning opportunities.