Arrupe Alumni Spotlight: Engineering Change in Guatemala

This past summer, Ashley Guevara — an Arrupe Jesuit alum and current Civil Engineering student at the University of Colorado Denver — brought her classroom knowledge to life during a transformative service trip to Guatemala.

Alongside a team of graduate students, Ashley spent time in under-resourced rural communities near Coatepeque, bringing medical care to pregnant mothers and newborns, while also helping engineer cost-effective sonogram training phantoms. These devices are designed to improve medical education for clinicians who have limited access to diagnostic tools. Ashley also contributed to a second project: building a sustainable well-water filtration system that addressed urgent community needs for clean water. The experience was more than academic, it reaffirmed her commitment to using engineering as a tool for social good.

“It was truly an eye-opening experience and reminded me why I chose the career I am working towards,” Ashley reflects. “Spending time with these communities and helping increase access to medical care and training made everything I’ve worked for feel worth it.”

Ashley and her teammates presented their work to investors and professors at Baylor University, highlighting the real-world potential of their efforts.

About Ashley: From Arrupe to Aspiring Engineer

Raised by her hardworking mother and having attended multiple schools before settling at West Leadership Middle School, Ashley understood the value of opportunity.  Thanks to a recommendation through her church, she found Arrupe and with it, a place where she could grow, lead, and dream big.

While at Arrupe, Ashley stood out for her curiosity and commitment. She still recalls how impactful it was to attend a pre-collegiate program at Loyola University Chicago, where she first realized the power of environmental advocacy and her own independence.

Through Arrupe’s Corporate Work Study Program, Ashley interned at Saunders Construction, confirming her passion for civil engineering early on. That professional foundation continues to set her apart as she applies for future roles and graduate programs.

Where She’s Headed Next

Ashley is currently a third-year Civil Engineering student, working full-time, and staying active in student leadership and advocacy. She’s a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, volunteers with Sandy Hook Promise, and still runs her photography business on the side.

Her sights are now set on earning a master’s degree at the University of Southern California, with a career focused on structural design and community impact.

Please join us in celebrating Ashley, an incredible example of what it means to be a woman for others, working toward a brighter, more compassionate future.