Marianna Fresquez is pursuing a master’s degree in education policy and planning at The University of Texas at Austin. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in English rhetoric and political science. During her undergraduate career, Fresquez was involved in various groups, such as the First-Generation Student Organization, Women’s Soccer, and Moot Court. During her time in Austin, she worked as a site coordinator for Project MALES and interned as a legislative aide at Joey Bennett Consulting during the spring of 2025. Her research interests include examining the historical and cultural contexts that impact current K–12 education patterns, including the school-to-prison pipeline, educational experiences for low-income and minority students, and equitable school funding.