Arlett Perez-Rios, PhD
Upward Bound Program Director
Dr. Perez-Rios, PhD, is a researcher and practitioner specializing in college access. She has managed the Upward Bound TRIO grant for the past eight years, a pre-college program designed to support potential first-generation, low-income students year-round in becoming eligible and prepared for postsecondary education.
Prior to her role as director and principal investigator of Upward Bound TRIO, she worked in Admissions and Early Academic Outreach, coordinating essential initiatives for lower-income, first-generation students. This work included implementing a systematic program to guide both students and their families, as well as middle school students and their families, in their transition from middle school to college across more than 50 middle schools in Southern Arizona.
Dr. Perez-Rios's deep understanding of student needs, combined with her institutional knowledge of the University of Arizona's college programming, positions her as an expert capable of driving meaningful change within Upward Bound. In addition to her practical experience, she based her dissertation research on her work and partnerships with Upward Bound students. Through this, she has developed significant knowledge and scholarly contributions regarding the impact of relationship-based recruitment in STEM and outreach.
Camila Armenta
Upward Bound Project Coordinator
Camila Armenta graduated from the University of Arizona with a dual degree in Law and Political Science and is 1 of 2 recipients of the 2021 UArizona Hispanic Alumni Outstanding Senior Award. Originally from San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, she came to the University of Arizona in 2017 to help others and represent her community in extraordinary spaces. Currently, she works as the project coordinator for TRIO Upward Bound at the University of Arizona's College of Education. A nationally recognized and federally funded program whose purpose is to support students on their route to be the first in their families to go to college. She serves as Legislative and Educational Chair for Arizona TRIO programs through the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel, Arizona Chapter, and advocates for the 50 Arizona TRIO programs, continuing the TRIO legacy that she, herself, is an alumnus of.
