Leslie, who holds the UC Davis pennant, stands with her KIPP Forward scholars from the graduating class of 2025.
Leslie Marquez’s story is a full-circle moment. What started as a middle schooler’s curiosity about college has blossomed into a career helping students find their own paths toward higher education.
A proud San Diego native and KIPP Adelante Prep Academy (KAPA) alumna, Leslie now serves as a KIPP Forward high school counselor supporting graduates of her former middle school.
Leslie joined KAPA in seventh grade, unaware that college was even an option. “I grew up thinking high school was the end,” she shared. But at KAPA, everything was different.
Her homeroom was named after a university. Teachers talked about college as if it were a given. She didn’t have a computer at home, so she turned to her teachers with questions, and they answered with encouragement and unwavering belief in her.
The environment at KAPA not only expanded her academic horizons, but it also transformed how she saw herself. “At KAPA, I finally found my safe space where I felt like it was okay to learn,” Leslie shared. “It was okay to be a woman and want to know more.”
That message was reinforced every day by the team of strong, successful women who worked at the school. Many were first-generation college graduates, and they modeled what it meant to thrive academically and professionally.
“Seeing women who looked like me and came from similar backgrounds—who had degrees and amazing careers—made me feel like I could do that, too,” she said.
While she helped raise her younger brothers at home, KAPA became a sanctuary. A place where she could completely pour into herself. She thrived in an environment where every teacher knew her name, pushed her to do more, and affirmed her love of learning.
That level of support stood in sharp contrast to Leslie’s experiences in high school. Despite excelling academically, she often felt overlooked or underestimated. “Even with a 4.3 GPA, there were teachers who didn’t believe in me,” she recalled.
After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in psychology, Leslie returned to KIPP Adelante — first in operations, then as an in-house substitute teacher, and now in her current role as a counselor. “Every student is different,” she said. “They have their own experiences, their own needs. That keeps me on my toes in the best way.”
Today, she works closely with students and their families, bridging communication gaps and helping them navigate real-life challenges, from college applications to family hardships. She recently supported her younger brother, Hugo—a fellow KAPA alum—through his college journey. This fall, he’s heading to Denison University to study physical therapy.
Leslie brings professional knowledge and lived experiences to her role. Her story resonates with the students she serves because she’s walked in their shoes. “I let them know I understand where they’re coming from,” she said. “And I remind them: I didn’t do the work—you did. I was just your GPS.”
When students doubt themselves or feel the weight of being first-generation college-goers, Leslie is there to lift them up. “I like being the person who words things differently for them. I like pushing them to believe in themselves.”
For Leslie, helping students imagine a different future and take steps forward isn’t just a job for her. It’s personal. It’s powerful. And it’s proof that coming home to give back to your community can make a profound difference.