Wyman honors alum Karina Arango at the 2026 Amplify Gala
Three alumni and two community partners were honored at Wyman’s 2026 Amplify Gala for their extraordinary commitment to young people, the community, and Wyman.
Our alumni honorees represent the incredible impact of connection – young people who found their voices and strength through Wyman and have gone on to build meaningful paths forward. Today, they continue to amplify hope and opportunity for others in their communities.
Karina Arango’s story brings this impact to life. For Karina, Wyman was one of the first spaces outside of home where she felt seen. This sense of belonging became a foundation for her work today – creating opportunities for young people and their families.
Karina Arango is a member of the Wyman Leaders Class of 2011. Her journey with Wyman began in 7th grade when a school counselor told her she had been nominated to join Wyman Leaders.
Karina graduated from Fontbonne University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, the first in her family to earn a college degree. Karina went on to earn her master’s degree in Education from Loyola University Chicago in 2021, specializing in Cultural and Educational Policy.
Today, Karina is the Director of Advocacy at The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, a role she has held for more than four years. She leads the development and implementation of their advocacy strategy and policy agenda, activating students, staff, board members, and community partners to advance issues related to higher education equity and policy. At the core of her work is a belief in the power of people and possibility. She believes that with the right tools, support, and opportunities, people will create meaningful change – on their own terms, in their own communities.
Karina credits Wyman with shaping her confidence, courage, and sense of self. Her Wyman experiences pushed her outside her comfort zone, and taught her that real growth happens when you step beyond what feels familiar. Karina’s experiences also taught her the importance of preparation: pausing, reflecting, and considering what she and her family needed to move forward. That skill became essential as she navigated college and major life decisions.
Most importantly, Wyman reinforced Karina’s belief in the power of community, something rooted in her upbringing. At Wyman, she was surrounded by people who believed in her and wanted what was best for her. Karina says, “Wyman didn’t give me a voice. They helped me believe in the power of the voice I already had – and the responsibility to use it.” Wyman also connected her to The Scholarship Foundation, ultimately shaping the path that led to her work today.
To Karina, organizations like Wyman matter because they invest in young people at a pivotal time in their lives, creating spaces where they feel supported, challenged to grow, and connected to a community. These experiences helped her understand that leadership doesn’t have to be loud or perfect. It can look like courage, curiosity, or simply showing up for your community.
Karina’s commitment to higher education advocacy is personal. It began with her mom, who always told her, “Mija, go to school. Nobody can ever take away your education.” Education opened doors for Karina and her entire family. Now her work is rooted in her lived experiences, and she is committed to ensuring those doors stay open for others.
In addition to her work at The Scholarship Foundation, Karina supports organizations that are focused on civic engagement, educational access, and immigrant rights, including UnidosUS, Action St. Louis, the MICA Project, and the Missouri Immigration Policy Coalition.
Karina believes in the authenticity, resilience, and brilliance young people bring to the world, and that is why she is committed to being a partner in their journeys. She believes young people don’t need confirmation from adults, but what they need is support and to be truly listened to. For Karina, the work is not just about what young people need from us, but what we must learn from them.
Read about all our 2026 Honorees:
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