Jess Evora is Associate Director for the Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center at UC Merced.  Jess is most passionate about exploring the intersection of ethnic identity & leadership.  She works hard to ensure that students have the opportunity to explore & embrace every part of their identity.  Jess is also the founder of RANJANow.org, an online platform for leadership & personal growth.  Jess grew up in Pawtucket, RI, and is a proud Cabo Verdean.  She currently serves on the Committee for Poderoza 2020: International Conference on Cabo Verdean Women.  She earned her B.A. from Syracuse University (NY) and her Master’s from USC (CA). Jess is also an alumna of Semester at Sea (Fall ‘17). Fun Fact: She’s driven across the country solo twice!