Meet the Nina Scholars Staff

Jo Ann Martinez

Program Director
(602) 496-1771 | joann.martinez@asu.edu

Jo Ann López Martínez grew up in Parker, Arizona. She attended Arizona State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in Chicana/o Studies followed by a Master of Education degree in Higher Education. Her first professional experience led her to work as a Program Advisor at Mesa Community College where she also briefly taught Introduction to Chicano Studies and Sociology of the Chicano Community. Later, she returned to ASU and led the Barrett Summer Scholars program, a summer residential camp for gifted Arizona middle school students, then as a liaison for ASU Preparatory Academy Phoenix, a charter school in partnership with ASU, and followed by serving as the Program Director of the Hispanic Mother-Daughter program. Currently, she supports students of the ASU Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program. She looks forward to making an impact on future first-generation college students, their families and their communities, and on continuing her crusade in promoting higher education! She is married and has two children. She recently completed a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Innovation from ASU.

Mayra Nuñez 

Program Coordinator
(480) 965-8330 | mayra.nunez@asu.edu

Mayra Nuñez is a dedicated social worker with a diverse background and strong ties to community service. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she moved to Arizona in 2022 to continue her career in social work. Mayra holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Social Work from Arizona State University, where she specialized in Policy, Administration, and Community Practice.Throughout her career, Mayra has gained experience in various roles, including serving as a wrap-around clinician providing individual and family therapy, a school social worker, a market analyst, and a medical social worker in an emergency department. Her internships with the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley and the City of Phoenix Housing Department further deepened her commitment to advocating for underserved and diverse communities.As a first-generation college graduate, Mayra’s passion to serve is driven by her personal experiences as the child of immigrants from El Salvador. These experiences have shaped her desire to serve and uplift marginalized populations. In her current role as Program Coordinator for the Nina Scholars, she is dedicated to supporting students as they work toward their higher education goals. Mayra’s work is fueled by a deep sense of social justice and a commitment to empowering those in need.

Tiffany Thornhill

Nina Scholars Course Instructor
tiffany.thornhill@asu.edu

Tiffany Thornhill was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and moved to Arizona in July of 2011. Tiffany spent several years working in administrative roles for government organizations before pursuing degrees in higher education. Tiffany was a Maricopa Nina Scholar (Cohort 15) and an ASU Nina Scholar (Cohort 17) and served as a Graduate Assistant for the ASU Nina Scholars program while pursuing her graduate degrees. She received an associate’s degree from Glendale Community College, and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Arizona State University. Tiffany began instructing the CPP Nina Scholars course in the Fall of 2020 and has constructed course content intended to encourage, empower and inspire the incoming cohort of ASU Nina Scholars.

Tiffany has a strong passion for addressing historical trauma, racial injustice, systemic oppression, behavioral health, mental health, substance abuse and Indigenous wellness. Tiffany is vehement about being a voice for anyone being oppressed, especially those experiencing oppression for the way they were born, and those living with challenging mental health symptoms. Tiffany believes that no one should have to suffer behind choices they didn’t make for themselves and her primary focus is on liberation from oppression in all forms.

Cynthia Alaffa

Program Coordinator
Bridging Success / Nina Scholars
Cynthia.Alaffa@asu.edu

Cynthia Alaffa grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Arizona State University as a first-generation student. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social work from ASU and two Master’s degrees, in Social Work and Higher Education, also from ASU. During her time as a student at ASU, she worked with two programs as a mentor that guided students through their higher education journey. Upon completing her graduate programs, she decided to venture out and dedicated 2.5 years as a school social worker. Although school social work was very rewarding, she found that her heart was leading her back to working in higher education. Cynthia has always had a passion for serving students and helping them along their educational journey. Cynthia is also analumnus of foster care and has used her personal experiences through higher education to support and help students grow. She believes that when students have the proper people and tools supporting them on their journey, they can succeed in anything they do. Outside of work, Cynthia loves to travel and experiences new places. She also enjoys working on herself in the gym.