Dell Scholars Program: First-Generation Graduate, Next-Generation Leader

A Leap of Faith Paid Off

Angel never imagined she’d one day be serving in the Kansas Legislature. Raised in Nebraska and now living in Kansas, she grew up in foster care, surrounded by public servants—legislators, educators, and social workers—who shaped her view of the world. She had a keen focus on making it to college. As a first-generation student, Angel leaned on programs like Upward Bound, which supported her and encouraged her to apply for scholarships.

The Dell Scholars program stood out, not just for its financial aid but for the practical resources it provided. Despite initial doubts about her chances, Angel took a leap of faith, shared her story in her application, and was selected. Throughout college, the Dell Scholars team checked in on her regularly. When she struggled in her first semester, failing classes due to non-attendance, it was one of those check-ins that gave her the push to turn things around. Remarkably, she finished with straight A’s the next semester.

And the program helped in other meaningful ways, too. “Buying a laptop wasn’t in the cards for my family,” Angel recalls. “But in college, it was a necessity. Dell Scholars made that possible.”

Stepping Into Public Service

A drive to serve others eventually led her to politics. While still in college, Angel started attending local government meetings and later helped run the campaign for a city government race. Then, community leaders encouraged her to run for office herself. At first, she hesitated. It took a month of conversations with her husband and personal reflection before she decided to go for it. “I wanted to represent my community—not just a party,” Angel says. “A lot of people lose themselves in primary elections, trying to fit into a political mold. I stayed true to my values, and I won.”

Her win was historic: she became one of the youngest legislators in state history and one of the first former foster youth to hold office in her district. That victory, followed by a hard-fought general election campaign, led to her being elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in November 2024.

Serving with Purpose, Now and In the Future

For Angel, the titles aren’t what matter—it’s the impact. She sees her role as laying the foundation for the next generation, particularly for foster youth and those from underserved backgrounds.

Now, as she balances political life with her personal aspirations, including hopes of fostering children in the future, Angel remains committed to serving her community. And after a whirlwind year of campaigning and governing, there’s one more thing on her to-do list: finally taking her honeymoon.