Aleah Ruiz MSW, Project CARE Director
Aleah Ruiz is proud to be in her 10th year as an East Austin College Prep employee and is very excited to be in her 2nd year as the Project CARE Director supporting the Austin campuses. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Social Work in 2011 and her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2013. Aleah is proud to have both lived and worked on the East side of Austin for most of her life and is dedicated to serving the families of EAPrep and the East Austin Community as a whole.
It is her deep belief that school social workers play a unique role in schools as they work with school staff, students, families, and community agencies in removing barriers to education. They provide comprehensive school social work services to parents, students and school staff, addressing barriers that limit a student from receiving the full benefit from their educational experience.
Aleah is passionate about providing a holistic and supportive educational experience to all the children at EAPrep as well as the opportunity to bring additional resources to the EAPrep Community and work to advocate for comprehensive student and family success.
If you need to reach her feel free to email her at aruiz@eaprep.org or you can call her at (512)287-5050.
Daniel Hinojosa, Project CARE Coordinator
Daniel Hinojosa is the Project CARE Coordinator at East Austin College Prep. Daniel is strongly rooted in the East Austin Community, serving as a counselor at Austin Can! Academy, and Adult Learning project Coordinator for East Austin College Prep, and his EACP Tier Pride grew even stronger in 2010 when he became the Athletic Coordinator and PE/Health teacher for the secondary campus. After the first graduating class in 2016, he left to continue his education and complete his MBA at the University of Houston – Downtown. He graduated in May 2018 with a focus on Leadership and Management. His passion for leadership and working with disadvantaged youth, combined with his love for the beautiful city of Austin, brought him back to the East Austin College Prep Community where he now serves as the Project CARE Coordinator.
Daniel has spent 14 years of his educational career serving the youth of East Austin. He believes that all students deserve the highest quality of education no matter the race, gender, creed, background, or circumstance. Growing up in one of the poorest areas in Corpus Christi, TX, Daniel understands the importance of a quality education and roles that leaders play in the development of a student’s life. He has made it a mission to provide that leadership and continue to serve as a role model for the students of East Austin College Prep.
Sulamita Mora, Project CARE Community Liaison
Sulamita is a Licensed Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. In her former role as Director of the Mendez MS Family Resource Center, Sulamita provided leadership on school climate, parent engagement, and coordinated school partnerships. While working with survivors of human trafficking, she focused on the resilience and strength of humanity in traumatic circumstances as they move forward as self-advocates for themselves and their families.
She believes strongly in the collective and unified effort of people to transform communities through collective voice and strategic action. She believes this work can be done within schools and that students’ voices are essential for a better society. Within Project CARE, she leads the efforts of building strong community partnerships that impact student resources, supports, and programming.
Ashley Nava, District Social Worker
Ashley Nava is in her 2nd year as the district social worker for East Austin College Prep. She is a proud first-generation college student born and raised in Austin, TX, earning her Bachelor of the Arts degree in Social Work from St. Edward’s University and working with Communities in Schools. After graduation, she moved to New York City where she earned her Masters of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and was introduced to the charter school community. Upon graduation, Ashley returned to Austin, and after becoming a licensed social worker she began exploring other avenues of social work. After this self-discovery, she ultimately realized that schools are where she wanted to be. Through her work at EAPrep, Ashley interacts with every stakeholder in the community: the parents, the staff, the teachers, and the students at both campuses as a liaison, advocate, and social-emotional support counselor. She is dedicated to meeting students where they are at, leading with compassion and empathy, and loves to watch the students grow and flourish continuously.
Nicole Colunga, Secondary School Counselor
Nicole Colunga is delighted to continue her third year at East Austin College Prep and resume her position as school counselor. Nicole began her journey at EAPrep as the Academic Guidance Counselor for the Upward Bound Program, working with a specific population of students. After building relationships with the tiger community she transitioned into a position where she was able to serve all students in a larger capacity.
Nicole is a first-generation college student born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She completed her Bachelors Degree of Arts in Psychology from Texas State University, then went on to pursue her Graduate Degree in Psychotherapy from Our Lady of Lake University. During her internship at a school, she quickly realized her passion was to advocate and nurture students while supporting them in their academic and life goals. She started working for Communities In Schools, supporting first generation, low income, students of color. Upon receiving the opportunity to join the EAPrep family, Nicole works with students, families and teachers in assisting in the social-emotional and academic success of the students.
Her passion of working with this very special population of students has led her to ensure the equity, success and completion of students in their high school graduation and beyond.