HSF

During the College Admissions: Panel Session, students heard from Camila Correa, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions University of Southern California Leri Argueta, Associate Director for Outreach and Advising, Georgia Tech Yesenia Ortiz, Financial Aid and Admissions Officer, Harvard University on how to prepare and plan for the college admissions process. Thank you for joining us!

In today's case study, led by Gustavo Najera, Senior Vice President, Student & Parent Programs, Students engaged in an activity with their peers and Squad Leaders that provided insight on how admissions representatives make decisions on university acceptances.

Day 2 of the Young Leaders Summit is off to a great start! Thank you to Yoseline Mejia, Vice President, Scholarship Administration & Processing, for sharing your knowledge and insight during the "College Admissions" session.

Students at the had fun meeting their Super Squads for the first time and taking pictures in our virtual photo booth! Throughout the program, participants will have the opportunity to expand their professional networks with each other and their Squad Leaders. Thank you to our Supporting Sponsor Target and Friend of YLS Coca-Cola for their support.

Liza Colón-Zayas has built a remarkable career defined by resilience, artistry, and a commitment to storytelling. Born and raised in the Bronx, Liza found her voice through theater, becoming a longtime member of the LAByrinth Theater Company and earning critical acclaim for her work on stage, including Obie and Drama Desk Awards. Her transition to on-screen roles has been just as impactful, with standout performances in series like The Bear, where her role earned her a Primetime Emmy Award.

Today at the Young Leaders Summit , students received invaluable information during our session on financial aid and scholarships.

Today at the Young Leaders Summit , students had an opportunity to gain insights into The Value of Higher Education in the Age of AI.

The Young Leaders Summit virtual component is officially underway, featuring a diverse cohort of 220 high-achieving high school juniors, selected through a competitive application process. During , Students will learn the practical tools they need to successfully apply to top universities, have full access to scholarship and financial aid opportunities, leadership development, and set a course for academic and career success. A special thank you to our Supporting Sponsor Target and Friend of YLS Coca-Cola for helping make this program possible! To learn more about the YLS, visit hsf.net/2026-yls-virtual.

From first-generation college student to a champion for Scholars, David Crosthwaite now serves as HSF’s Senior Vice President, Career Services and brings lived experience and heart to his work supporting our community. Born and raised in San Diego County, he balanced full-time work while earning his BA and MA in Public Administration, graduating debt free and determined to help others navigate their own college journeys.

After 17 years in Talent Acquisition creating pathways for underrepresented talent, he found his calling at HSF. His message to students and families: College is challenging but attainable, transformative, and worth it.

Marlén Cortez Morris has built her career on excellence, determination, and lifting others as she climbs. A graduate of the University of Tampa and University of Illinois College of Law, she has long been recognized as a leader in the legal field.

Today, she serves as Labor and Employment Counseling & Litigation Counsel at Abbott, leading the company’s enterprise-wide litigation strategy and partnering across teams to navigate complex regulatory matters.