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Kiara Ruesta Schliphack
Kiara Ruesta Schliphack(she/they/ella/elle) is a Peruvian immigrant, facilitator, higher education professional, educator, formerly undocumented immigrant, and survivor based in Bolton, CT. She holds a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs, a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Latinx, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies from the University of Connecticut, and an associate’s degree in liberal arts and sciences from Manchester Community College.
Through her work with Connecticut Students for a Dream, Kiara has advocated and organized around college access for undocumented students. Kiara co-led the UndocuPeer Trainer Program and co-designed the No Papers, No Fear: Educator Accomplice Training, which aimed to expand awareness of educational policy changes and understanding undocumented student needs to K-12 and higher education administrators and educators.
As a co-founder and worker-owner of The People’s Saturday School, Kiara has co-facilitated a six-week virtual seminar for college students on abolitionist theory and practice and facilitated a workshop on practicing slowness and rest for early career professionals. Kiara aspires to design liberatory spaces centered on care, rest, and joy.
Kiara is currently the Assistant Director of The Resource Center, Wesleyan University’s multicultural center, where she supports social and educational programming for First-generation and limited-income students, LGBTQIA+ students, students of color, and female-identifying students. As a higher educational professional, Kiara is dedicated to providing accessible, holistic, and equitable support to young people.
They have training in advocacy and facilitation through the MidWest Academy, Beyond Diversity 101, and Connecticut Students for a Dream
Kiara lives with her husband and three kitties (Tiny, Luna, & Ivy). She finds joy in sunbathing, swimming, and watching/reading a good romance story.