Meet the Team
Director
Luis Alonzo Garcia is the Director of the National Migrant Scholars Internship (NMSI) Initiative. He is also the Director of Migrant Student Services at Michigan State University. Luis is a former migrant farmworker and has been a member of the university community for more than 30 years and holds a Masters from the MSU College of Education. Luis serves on various university committees, boards, municipal boards, state and national boards such as the National HEP/CAMP Association and the Michigan Migrant Interagency Council—where his input and advice provides the leadership needed to mount the improved service delivery needed from the state and national level. He has been working tirelessly with the Migrant & Seasonal Farm working families (MSFW) and the university community to address the lack of representation of our Latino/a community at all levels. Initiatives that he has fostered included Día de La Mujer, International Engagement in Mexico education abroad program, MSU HEP, MSU CAMP, and now the National Migrant Scholars Internship (NMSI) Initiative.
Associate Director
Salvador Chavez (Chava) currently serves as the Associate Director of the National Migrant Scholars Internship (NMSI) Initiative. Chava supports internship opportunities for College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Scholars nationwide. He works closely with Luis Alonzo Garcia, the Director of the NMSI Initiative, to ensure universities and colleges that serve students with a migrant and seasonal farmworker background receive the support to secure an internship. Chava has over a decade of providing employment and training services to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers during his work with Telamon Corporation, Workforce & Career Services. Salvador was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and as a child, he migrated seasonally to Ottawa County, Michigan. His family embraces the migrant farmworker lifestyle, as both of his parents have worked for over 40 years in Nurseries in Michigan. Salvador is a first-generation college student from immigrant parents. He has personal experience with what challenges are unique to first-generation students. As such, Salvador’s mission is to give all NMSI participants an experiential learning opportunity and, simultaneously, a valuable intern to all the partner employers!
Senior Program Coordinator
Zainab Ascencio holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication for Development and is a skilled communicator with a keen interest in educational fields. During her childhood, she witnessed firsthand the admirable farmwork of her community, learning the values of hard work, cooperation, and resilience, which deeply influence her approach to her work. She is passionate about justice and educational equity, believing that providing educational opportunities to younger generations contributes to the betterment of the world. For more than a decade, she has been a part of a worldwide educational and research organization, assuming various roles. In her years of experience, she has cultivated a comprehensive skill set, encompassing project management, policy and procedure development, program development, adept problem-solving, strong adaptability, meticulous attention to detail, and proactive planning abilities. Through her role at NMSI, she aims to leverage her expertise in communication and project management to further the program’s mission of fostering educational equity and empowering younger generations. She is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a program that aligns with her values and allows her to make a tangible impact on the lives of CAMP students. During her free time, she volunteers as a study circle facilitator for a grassroots institute whose curriculum emphasizes active learning and encourages youth to become promoters of wellbeing by engaging in acts of service within their communities.
Office Administrator
Abigail Martinez (Abi) currently serves as the Office Administrator for NMSI. Holding a bachelor’s degree in advertising and a master’s degree in media and information with a specialization in User Experience Design, Abi brings a dynamic mix of creative expertise and strategic insight. As a first-generation college graduate, her path has been defined by hard work and determination. Hailing from a vibrant border town in South Texas, Abi grew up deeply connected to the migrant labor community, witnessing firsthand her family’s yearly migration from Texas to Minnesota for agricultural work. These experiences not only shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by migrant communities but also fueled her passion for giving back and supporting those around her. Motivated by an unwavering dedication to her community, Abi is driven to empower others by facilitating access to resources and opportunities. She firmly believes in the endless journey of personal and collective growth, a principle she summarizes as “growth is an eternal process”. Through her role at NMSI, Abi aims to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, striving to make a significant impact in the lives of those she serves.