Her Vaga Bound Roots is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports and empowers BIPOC womxn by increasing access, supporting their retention, celebrating their resiliency, and bringing light to untold narratives in academia and personal/professional paths.
The Vagas with Degrees Scholarship Foundation was created by HVBR to alleviate financial burdens for BIPOC women in pursuit of their dreams in higher education. Financial challenges are a common barrier for students in academia, especially those from low income households or marginalized backgrounds. Our mission is to uplift women navigating college by providing them with a scholarship. By awarding women with a Vagas with Degrees Scholarship, we would be one step closer to changing the narrative for women of color in higher education.
Our goal is to raise $25,000.00 for our scholarship foundation which will go directly to future scholarships recipients.
Your generosity will allow us to continue our work of building a community of educated and professional women of color.
- Click here to meet this years scholarship recipients
- Check out our annual Vagas With Degrees series, where we feature the narratives of graduating Vagas here!
What does Her VAGA Bound Roots stand for?
HER: Representative of every woman
VAGA: fearless, strong and resilient
BOUND: to greatness
ROOTS: to remain grounded & never forget where you came from
Meet the Board of Directors
Wendoline Vargas, LMSW, Founder and President
Wendoline, was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles,) she earned her undergraduate degree at University of California, Santa Barbara and went on to pursue a masters in Social Work from New York University. A fierce advocate for social justice and thriving passion for working with BIPOC women, young adults, and individuals with marginalized identities. She is a licensed, bilingual, clinical social worker and is currently working at an adolescent mental health center/hospital in NYC. Wendoline provides assessment and evidence based treatment to a diverse population living with Mental Illness.
Jennifer Guzman, Secretary
Jennifer Guzman was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in the Greater Los Angeles area. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at California State University Northridge with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Broadcast Journalism. She worked as a local news reporter for one year before finding her true passion for women empowerment, and serving her community.
Jennifer currently works as Program & Event Coordinator for The Adelante Movement, and Becoming Self Made, two virtual platforms that empower and train Latina and women of color economically and entrepreneurially through a digital community that provides training, shared stories and resources, as well as LIVE workshops all over the country.
Edwin Serrano, MS. Ed, Treasurer
Edwin was born and raised in Los Angeles. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and then moved to Miami, FL for two years to complete his Masters in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University. This is where his professional experience serving marginalized populations began while he supported LGBTQ+ students at FIU.
Edwin currently works as a Senior Resident Director at the University of California, Berkeley supporting students that live on-campus. He has over five years of working in higher education supporting first-generation, undocumented, international, women, queer, trans*, and students of color.
