Meet Karen Mota: Finding Her Voice Through Leadership

Karen is building confidence and stepping forward to represent JAG students across Arizona as a 2026–27 University of Phoenix LEAD.

Each year, Arizona's top JAG student leaders are selected to serve as the University of Phoenix LEADS, representing more than 1,500 JAG students across the state. Throughout the year, they develop leadership skills, represent JAG at state & community events, and prepare for the opportunity to attend the National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA) in Washington, D.C.

Karen Mota is a senior at Coronado High School and says she never imagined herself as a student leader. Growing up, she was shy and often kept to herself and shares that meeting new people has not always been easy for her; she often wondered how others seemed to make friends so quickly... Joining JAG helped change that. Through JAG, Karen began meeting new people and discovered the value of making connections with others. A message from a guest speaker made a lasting impression on her: "Closed mouths don't get fed."  Karen took that message personally and began challenging herself to express herself more with others.

"Becoming a LEAD has been just a HUGE accomplishment for me, something that I would have never imagined."

Karen sees her new role as an opportunity to be a voice for students with different backgrounds, personalities, and experiences and she wants her fellow JAG students to know their experiences matter and that they deserve to be heard. Her willingness to try something new goes beyond JAG; during her junior year, she challenged herself to explore new activities and discovered a passion for tennis. She's also a member of her school's National Honor Society and serves as treasurer of the book club.

Outside of school, Karen enjoys spending time with family, meeting new people, baking, reading, playing video games, hiking, visiting lakes, and listening to everything from K-pop and musicals to rap, hip-hop and R&B. She also appreciates organization and likes keeping herself busy. At home, Karen says her family has grown close, spending time together and enjoying new experiences.

Karen says she's ready to continue the transformation she started when she first decided to step outside her comfort zone.

"As I am entering this chapter as a state officer, I hope to expand my leadership skills and further grow my public speaking skills as well as networking and college/career readiness."

Karen has set a personal goal to raise $2,500 to help fund her journey to the National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA) in Washington, D.C. At NSLA, she will join JAG student leaders from across the country for an experience focused on leadership development, career readiness, and networking.

Your gift will help Karen continue building the confidence and skills that have already taken her from a shy student hesitant to speak up to a state officer ready to represent JAG Arizona.

Support Karen's journey and help send her to NSLA in Washington, D.C.

CLICK HERE!