Jesús Rivera Guzmán holds postgraduate diplomas in Intercultural Dialogues and Pedagogical Designs from both the Universidad Nacional de Jujuy in Argentina and the Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez in Chile. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). A native Quechua speaker from the Llactacunca community in Tambobamba district, Cotabambas province, Apurímac, Peru, Jesús specializes in philosophy of language, epistemology, interculturality, Latin American philosophy, and Indigenous philosophy. His work particularly explores the foundational assumptions of Indigenous languages and cultures in South America, with a focus on Quechua and Aymara. Jesús is an active member of Mente y Lenguaje (MyL) at PUCP, the Red Internacional de Estudios Interculturales (RIDEI) at PUCP, and Chawpi Atuq: Comunidad de Estudios,where he contributes to collaborative research and discussions on these topics.

Email: guzman12@sas.upenn.edu 

Serafín M. Coronel-Molina earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2007. A native speaker of Huanca Quechua from the central highlands of Peru, he is currently a Professor in the Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Program and the International Comparative Education Program within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the School of Education. In addition, he is the Head Coordinator of the Global Indigenous Studies Network within the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University and he was the former Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. His expertise in Indigenous languages and policies is recognized internationally. He is an Expert Member of UNESCO’s Ad-hoc Group 3 on the Recognition, Status, and Implementation of Policy for the Indigenous Languages, part of the Global Task Force advancing the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022–2032).

Email: scoronel@iu.edu 

Melanie Contreras is Co-Chair of Quechua at Penn and a senior in the Class of 2026, majoring in Nursing with minors in Latinx Studies and Global Health. Originally from Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Melanie has been part of the organization since her freshman year as a way to honor her grandmother’s culture and remain connected to her Andean roots.

Jasmine Guaillasaca Quizhpi is Co-Chair of Quechua at Penn. A senior from Irvington, NJ, Jasmine is pursuing a triple major in Wor History, Latin American & Latinx Studies, and Hispanic Studies. Growing up in a town with a strong Indigenous-Ecuadorian presence, she found a sense of community through Quechua at Penn. The organization has allowed her to further cultivate her passion for sharing Indigenous knowledge and ways of being.

Ariana Borda serves as Co-Financial Chair. She is a senior majoring in Health and Societies with minors in Nutrition Science and Chemistry. Hailing from Miami, FL, Ariana sees her involvement in Quechua at Penn to embrace her Peruvian heritage and help create a space where the culture, identity, and traditions of Andean communities are celebrated.

Leyla Sanchez Sen is Co-Financial Chair and a junior exchange student from Lima, Peru, majoring in Business. Being part of Quechua at Penn has helped her reconnect with her Peruvian roots and share her culture proudly with others at Penn.

Wellington Machaquiza is External Chair and a senior at Temple University, majoring in Engineering Technology. He is from Brooklyn, NY. For Wellington, Quechua at Penn represents a commitment to preserving and uplifting cultural heritage in academic spaces that often overlook voices like his. As he puts it, “You can translate words, but you can’t translate meaning” and preserving his mother tongue keeps that unique perspective alive.

Krystinna Arevalo is Co-External Chair of Quechua at Penn. A sophomore majoring in Neuroscience from Union City, NJ, Krystinna was born to Ecuadorian immigrant parents and grew up surrounded by Andean stories and music. This upbringing sparked her passion for her heritage and inspired her to learn more about the Quechua language and traditions while amplifying her culture’s presence on campus.

Kimy Bermeo-Quizhpi is Co-Social Media Chair and a senior majoring in Psychology. She is from East Hampton, NY. For Kimy, Quechua is more than a language, it’s the heart of who she is.

Lizbeth Villalta-Gavilanes is Co-Social Media Chair and a neuroscience major in the Class of 2028. Also from East Hampton, NY, Lizbeth joined Quechua at Penn to stay connected to her Quechua roots and to share her culture with the wider Penn community.

Camila Urbano is Co-Freshman Liaison. She is a freshman majoring in Architecture from Marin, CA. Camila grew up hearing her family speak Quechua and participating in cultural traditions like huaynos. Through Quechua at Penn, she hopes to stay rooted in her heritage and share it with others on campus.

Lindsey Huahuamullo is Co-Freshman Liaison. A freshman from Lima, Peru, she is majoring in Economics and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). For Lindsey, joining Quechua at Penn is a way to reconnect with and explore her culture: “Why Quechua? Learn more about her culture.