Alexa Maqueo Toledo

College Access Fellow

Alexa serves as the College Access Fellow for Ed Trust-Tennessee, where she will assist in managing of projects that elevate students and community-proximate organizations in advancing strategies that increase the likelihood of students of color, and those experiencing poverty, to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. She is also working on a resource hub for undocumented youth pursuing higher education, educators seeking resources and tools, undocumented families, and allies of the undocumented community.

Previously Alexa worked at the Knoxville Education Foundation as a College & Career Access Coach. She was an Urban Leaders Fellow during the summer of 2022 and served as a League Leader with the EmpowerED Network during her undergraduate senior year.

Born in Mexico City, Alexa immigrated to East Tennessee in her early childhood. She recently graduated from Maryville College, where she was active in student organizations during undergraduate studies, such as the Latinx Student Alliance, Student Government Association, and the admissions office’s Ambassador Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in Spanish.

Superpower

My go-to superpower is always fire, which is often a metaphor in my culture for passion and drive. I love how fire can be both a savior and a destroyer; it just depends on who wields it and their intentions, just like an individual.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?

I love books and reading. I currently have over 200 books and hope to have a personal library of 1,000. I have been known to read a book in a day (or night).

What drew you to education?

I come from a family who values a strong education, so I always knew I would attend college. But as a DACA recipient, I faced many barriers that shocked me when this was the only place I’ve ever called home. Once in college, I met other first-generation DACA recipients and undocumented students who felt out of place in higher education. I realized the lack of support and resources for my community, especially after constant political attacks, and this ignited the fire in me to start my journey in educational advocacy.