Posts by Every Mind Matters

Marissa Martinez is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing. Marissa has overcome abject poverty, homelessness, a chaotic family environment and personal tragedies in her pursuit of her passion to help others. “As a first-generation student from a family that faced homelessness, addiction, and loss, I learned early what resilience…

In October of 2025, faculty at the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno contacted Every Mind Matters with an urgent request for assistance: a nursing student was in serious trouble, and could we please help? Marissa Martinez is a bright, hard-working, compassionate and highly motivated student. She was also behind on…

Gisselle Cruz has been elected to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society’s chapter at the University of Nevada, Reno. Phi Kappa Phi admits top-performing students studying business and engineering. Every Mind Matters congratulates Gisselle on her election.

Jafeth E. Sanchez, Ph.D, the Director of the Latino Research Center (LRC) at the University of Nevada, Reno, is the recipient of Every Mind Matters’ first Champion Award. Dr. Sanchez understood very early the value of our work and offered her full and consistent support to our program, offering valuable advice, making important introductions and…

Senor Tequila’s Mexican Kitchen and Cantina hosted a fundraiser for Every Mind Matters on Tuesday May 13, 2025, that raised over $4,000.00. Many thanks to our gracious hosts, restauranteurs Johanna and Mario Jimenez for the excellent food, and to Reno City Councilman Miguel Martinez and Dr. Jafeth E. Sanchez, Director of the Latino Research Center…

The Cummins Engine Foundation has awarded Every Mind Matters a $5,000 grant to support the Fellowship program. “We are very grateful to the Cummins Engine Company and its Foundation for supporting our mission,” Executive Director Ron Aryel said. “We throw a safety net around each Fellow and Cummins understands how crucial that is to enabling…

Mariana Lopez Baez has won the 2024 Albee Aryel Fellowship Award. She is graduating December 7, 2024 from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. Mariana is headed for graduate school to train to become an athletic trainer for a college or professional team. Mariana worked very hard, excelled…

Lizbeth Vega Lopez, the winner of the 2021 Albee Aryel Fellowship Award, is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) at the University of Nevada – Reno (UNR). ABA is of proven benefit to improving the function and social skills of patients with autism and other disabilities, and our…

Gisselle Cruz graduated from Reno High School with honors in June of 2023, earning an unadjusted GPA of 3.96. She has a passion for computer science and artis a junior at Reno High School with a passion for computer science and art. Gisselle loves to write code, especially in Java, her favorite programming language. After…

Anthony Becerra is a senior at Edward Reed High School. Anthony is an exceptionally bright and hardworking teenager who was elected president of the Class of 2024 during his freshman year, and this year has continued to serve as a member of the Student Council. Anthony wants to make our world a better place. He has a…