KFLA Recognizes Nancy Guarneros with Matusak Courageous Leadership Award

Nancy Guarneros, graduate of UCLA and a founder of Graduates Reaching a Dream Deferred (GRADD), named as the recipient of the 2012 Matusak Courageous Leadership Award for her work speaking out on behalf of undocumented immigrant students, while risking arrest and deportation.

DENVER - The Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance (KFLA) has named Nancy Guarneros, graduate of UCLA and a founder of Graduates Reaching a Dream Deferred (GRADD), as the recipient of the 2012 Matusak Courageous Leadership Award for her work speaking out on behalf of undocumented immigrant students, while risking arrest and deportation. As the award winner, Ms. Guarneros will receive the opportunity to share her story and experiences about living one’s values, acting with integrity and building a coalition for change. The award comes with a $2,500 prize which she will credit toward her tuition.

Nancy Guarneros came to the U.S.A. at two years old. She excelled in school, earning a BA and an MA from UCLA. She is currently enrolled in a PhD program for education at Claremont Graduate University. As a founder of GRADD, Nancy helps fellow undocumented students pursue graduate and professional degrees, assisting students with the application process. She has emerged as a prominent advocate for immigration reform and access to education for immigrant youth, speaking at conferences and media events. Nancy is currently working with the UCLA Labor Center to launch the first national online college for immigrant youth called “Dream University.”

The Matusak Courageous Leadership Award was started by Larraine Matusak, a former Leadership scholar at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and former director of the Kellogg National Fellowship Program. The Matusak Courageous Leadership Award was created to recognize individuals who have shown courage to act authentically and speak up when silence means colluding with the problem. Along with other traits, the Award recognizes those who are creative risk takers, driven by sound judgment, common sense, and profound sense of responsibility, honesty and trust.

The Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance (KFLA) creates opportunities for 1,500 Kellogg Fellows from across the world to leave a significant legacy as a result of having participated in leadership development programs through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Founded in 2002, KFLA's mission is to identify and implement solutions to complex challenges by expanding the work and the impact of these Fellows in collaboration with local leaders, one another, and other foundations' leadership alumni groups.