Joareliz Peña Martínez
Project/Program Coordinator, Office of Diversity Programs
WashU Medicine, St. Louis

Joareliz is a dedicated and detail-oriented program coordinator, student advocate, and advisor with a robust background in higher education, administration, and community engagement. Currently serving as Project/Program Coordinator in the Office of Diversity Programs at Washington University School of Medicine, Joareliz also holds the role of Student Liaison on the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience (CSMB) Advisory Board, where she bridges communication between students and administration to advocate for student needs and contribute to program development.

Joareliz holds a Bachelor of Science in International Agriculture with a focus on lant genetics and a Master of Science in Higher Education concentration on College Teaching, both from Purdue University. Her multidisciplinary academic foundation complements her extensive professional experience, which includes research roles at Purdue University’s Agricultural Department and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), where she investigated genetic mutations affecting soybean traits.

In her current position at WashU Medicine, Joareliz coordinates major initiatives such as the CSMB-WashU Medicine Mentorship Program facilitating meaningful connections among students and community partners to support academic and professional success. Her career also spans roles such as Advisor and Career Coach at St. Louis Community College, and Beginner English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor at Lafayette Adult Resource Academy (LARA), where she provided tailored guidance to diverse and under-resourced learners.

Joareliz’s expertise encompasses teamwork, leadership, communication, critical thinking, multiculturalism, diversity, professionalism, and STEM education. Recognized with the Peer Counselor Achievement Award from United Way Greater Lafayette, she is committed to fostering collaborative, inclusive environments that encourage curiosity and empower individuals to explore their ideas and solutions.