In honor of our 25th Anniversary the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women proudly launched the MCSW scholarship program, funded by the MCSW Trust Fund. This program aims to support emerging leaders of the Commonwealth in continuing their education journey to leadership and economic empowerment. Designed to support woman-identifying students already enrolled in a Massachusetts Public Higher Education Institution, scholarships were awarded to help women of the Commonwealth complete their degree and advance their economic and educational futures. The 2026-2027 Class of Scholarship recipients were selected amongst an incredibly competitive slate of applicants from across the Commonwealth.

Join us in congratulating these five exceptional women!

Nayeli Almanzar Lizardo

A first-generation scholar, I began my academic journey at Northern Essex Community College and am continuing my studies at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. As an emerging and diverse leader, I am majoring in psychology with a focus on behavior analysis, minoring in business administration, and have earned the River Hawk Experience Distinction in Community Engagement. As a scholar in the Honors College, I pursue my studies with the intention of better understanding and uplifting underserved communities. I am deeply committed to advancing equity and creating positive, lasting change by amplifying youth voices. I am passionate about education as a powerful tool for empowerment.

I strive to inspire others to recognize their potential and to engage meaningfully in shaping their own futures. Rooted in my experiences growing up in Lawrence, I bring a community-centered perspective to every space I enter, using my lived experiences to inform organizational decision-making and ensure that the needs of my community are reflected. I am dedicated to civic engagement and collaborative, cause-driven work that fosters innovation and inclusion. I strive to be a transformative changemaker—one that is a bridge builder who challenges inequities and creates opportunities for others to thrive. Guided by my personal leadership philosophy, “In every problem, seek an opportunity. And in that opportunity, a gift,” I approach challenges with resilience and deep purpose. I am committed to continuing this work, determined to ask, “What can I do?” until every young person can ask it too, because youth are the beginning of becoming.

Nayeli Almanzar Lizardo, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Expected Date of Graduation: Spring 2027

Aleigha Rivard

I am a 25-year-old first-generation college student currently pursuing my Master of Social Work at Salem State University. I work as a social worker with Children and Family Services, where I advocate for and support families facing adversity. Through this role, I have gained valuable experience navigating complex family systems while approaching my work with empathy, professionalism, and a trauma-informed perspective. I am passionate about helping children and families access the resources and support they need to thrive.

Community service is a core value of mine, and I am deeply committed to giving back. For the past three years, I have served on the Board of Directors for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Fostering Change. Our mission is to gather community resources and provide meaningful support to children in foster care. We focus on creating opportunities for normal childhood experiences and moments of joy, helping to fill in gaps that many children in the system face. Being part of this organization has been incredibly meaningful and has reinforced my dedication to this work. In my spare time, I enjoy renovating my new home, spending time with my family, and playing with my dog.

Aleigha Rivard, Salem State University
Expected Date of Graduation: August 2027

Jacqueline Robles

My name is Jacqueline Robles, and one of the greatest joys of my life is being a mother of four and a grandmother of two. Family has always been at the heart of who I am. Growing up as the youngest of twelve children, I watched five of my siblings serve long and honorable careers in law enforcement. Seeing their dedication, courage, and commitment to helping others inspired me from a young age to follow a similar path. What started as admiration for my siblings grew into something much bigger, a personal mission to empower women of color, to show them that they belong in leadership roles, and to motivate them to reach for opportunities they may not have believed were possible.

In May of 2025, I experienced one of the proudest moments of my life when I was inaugurated as the first female Latina Police Chief in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, serving at Holyoke Community College. I have spent 25 years in law enforcement, with 23 of those years dedicated to HCC and the Police Department. Over that time, I’ve worn many hats: 14 years as a patrol officer, 9 years as a Sergeant, and now the honor of leading the department as Chief. Stepping into this role has been both humbling and incredibly rewarding. I genuinely love being able to guide my officers, support their growth, and create a department culture that values professionalism, compassion, and community engagement. Beyond leading the department, I enjoy being a mentor, someone my officers and members of the college community can turn to for support, encouragement, and direction.

Along the way, I also made a personal decision to return to school. Balancing work, family, and education hasn’t always been easy, but it has been so meaningful. Continuing my education is part of a commitment I made to myself, to keep growing, learning, and pushing forward no matter how far I’ve come.

Jacqueline Robles, Westfield State University & Holyoke Community College
Expected Date of Graduation: May 2028

Bryana Siqueira

Bryana Siqueira is a psychology student at Framingham State University with a strong passion for working with children and supporting their growth. She currently runs an afterschool program at the same elementary school she attended as a child, where she enjoys creating a positive, engaging environment for students to learn and have fun. Through this experience, Bryana has developed a deep interest in becoming a children’s psychologist and hopes to continue making a meaningful impact in young people’s lives.

Outside of school and work, Bryana loves spending time in nature and hiking with her mom, singing, and being with her family. She is grateful for the constant encouragement she receives from her parents, her sister Dani, and her pets, Eddie and Lola, who always cheer her on. Bryana is honored to receive the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Scholarship and is excited to continue pursuing her education and future career helping children thrive.

Bryana Siqueira, Framingham State University
Expected Date of Graduation: 2028

Sabrina Soltani

I am originally from Algeria and a proud single mother to my son, Zeenou. In 2018, after experiencing homelessness, I made the decision to rebuild my life from the ground up. Through determination and resilience, I earned my Associate degree in Computer Science and transferred to UMass Boston, where I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s in IT Management with a focus on Information Architecture. Along the way, I’ve explored areas like cybersecurity and AI automation, constantly pushing myself to grow in the tech field. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped my purpose: to create a better future for myself and my son.

My experience with homelessness also inspired me to become an advocate. For the past two years, I’ve served on a Family Aid Council, working to support and speak up for families facing similar struggles. I’m passionate about using both my voice and my education to drive change. When I applied for the MCSW scholarship, I was at one of the lowest points in my journey. A family emergency caused me to lose my previous scholarships after I was unable to enroll last fall. I felt desperate, but I didn’t give up—I held onto my faith and kept praying for a second chance. Being selected is a blessing, and thanks to MCSW, I will be able to complete my degree and continue building a better future for my son and myself.

Sabrina Soltani, University of Massachusetts Boston
Expected Date of Graduation: June 2027

For more information about the MCSW’s Scholarship program, visit our website or contact mcswprograms@mass.gov.