Ariana Esau, Breakthrough Central Texas

This month's Staff Spotlight is Ariana Esau! Ariana is a Program Coordinator at Breakthrough Central Texas, where she supports middle schoolers at the very beginning of their journey to college and beyond.

Ariana's path to youth development began in the classroom as a teacher. While teaching was fulfilling, she felt called to focus on more than just academics. At Breakthrough, she gets to support the whole student, not just their learning, but their lives, families, and futures.

She believes that access to college and post-secondary opportunities can set students up for success, but she also knows that navigating that path can be difficult and scary without guidance. By working with middle schoolers from the start, Ariana ensures they have a solid foundation and a supportive community to carry them all the way to and through college.

Looking ahead, Ariana's goals are simple but powerful: to continue growing and supporting students in low-income communities. She's committed to making sure every student has the resources, encouragement, and support they need to thrive.